Editing Constantius II (section)

====Paganism====
Laws dating from the 350s prescribed the death penalty for those who performed or attended pagan [[sacrifice]]s, and for the worshipping of [[cult image|idols]].<ref name="Kirsch04pp200-201">Kirsch, J. (2004) ''God against the Gods'', pp.200-1, Viking Compass</ref><ref name="CodexTheodosianus16.10.2">''The Codex Theodosianus On Religion'', 16.10.2</ref><ref name="CodexTheodosianus16.10.6">Theodosian Code 16.10.6</ref> Pagan temples were shut down,<ref name="CodexTheodosianus16.10.4">{{cite web| url = http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/codex-theod1.html| title = 'The Codex Theodosianus On Religion', XVI.x.4, 4 CE}}</ref><ref name="hughes"/> and the [[Altar of Victory]] was removed from the Senate meeting house.<ref name="Sheridan66">Sheridan, J.J. (1966) ''The Altar of Victor – Paganism's Last Battle.'' in L'Antiquite Classique 35 : 186–187.</ref> There were also frequent episodes of ordinary Christians destroying, pillaging and desecrating many ancient pagan temples, tombs and monuments.<ref name="Ammianus22.4.3">[[Ammianus Marcellinus]] ''Res Gestae'' 22.4.3</ref><ref>[[Sozomen]] ''Ecclesiastical History'' [https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/26023.htm 3.18].</ref><ref name="CodexTheodosianus16.10.3">Theodosian Code 16.10.3</ref><ref name="CodexTheodosianus9.17.2">Theodosian Code 9.17.2</ref>
Paganism was still popular among the population at the time. The emperor's policies were passively resisted by many governors and magistrates.<ref name="hughes">"A History of the Church", Philip Hughes, Sheed & Ward, rev ed 1949, vol I chapter 6.[http://www.ewtn.com/library/CHISTORY/HUGHHIST.TXT] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223191523/http://www.ewtn.com/library/CHISTORY/HUGHHIST.TXT|date=23 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="Ammianus9.10and19.12">[[Ammianus Marcellinus]] ''Res Gestae'' 9.10, 19.12. quote summary: Ammianus  describes Pagan sacrifices and worship taking place openly in [[Alexandria]] and [[Rome]]. The [[Roman Calendar]] of 354 cites many Pagan festivals as though they were still being openly observed. See also the descriptions of Pagan worship in the following works: Firmicius Maternus De Errore Profanorum Religionum; Vetus Orbis Descriptio Graeci Scriptoris sub Constantio.</ref><ref name="Bowder1978">Bowder, D. (1978) ''The Age of Constantine and Julian''</ref>

In spite of this, Constantius never made any attempt to disband the various Roman priestly colleges or the [[Vestal Virgin]]s. He never acted against the various pagan schools. At times, he actually made some effort to protect paganism. In fact, he even ordered the election of a priest for Africa.{{sfn|Vasiliev|1958|p=68}} Also, he remained [[pontifex maximus]] and was deified by the Roman Senate after his death. His relative moderation toward paganism is reflected by the fact that it was over twenty years after his death, during the reign of [[Gratian]], that any pagan senator protested his treatment of their religion.{{sfn|Salzman|2002|p=182}}