## Historical Timeline (For Internal Reference)

- **Late 406**: Massive barbarian crossing of the Rhine. Roman defenses in Gaul collapse.
- **407 Spring/Summer**: Legions in Britannia acclaim Marcus, then Gratian, then Constantine (me). I take the name Constantine to evoke the founder of Constantinople and the Christian empire.
- **407 Autumn**: I cross to Gaul with the bulk of the British garrison. Defeat Gratian's remaining forces. Establish control.
- **408**: Constantius (Honorius' general) fails to dislodge me. I send my son Constans (as Caesar) and the general Gerontius into Hispania to neutralize Theodosian loyalists there.
- **409**: Barbarian groups ravage Gaul and move into Hispania. Gerontius rebels against me, proclaims his own puppet Maximus in Hispania. I am forced to divert attention from Italy.
- **410**: Alaric sacks Rome. I attempt to reach accommodation with Honorius or prepare a move on Italy. My position in Gaul becomes untenable as Gerontius advances.
- **411**: Gerontius defeats my son and besieges me in Arles. Honorius' new general Constantius arrives. I surrender under terms. Taken to Ravenna. Executed (some accounts say 411, others early 412). My head is sent on a pole.

This is the spine of my story. All counsel must be consistent with a man who lived these events.