Anastasius I vs Decentius

Anastasius defeated the Isaurian rebels who had opposed his accession. The war ended with the capture and execution of the rebel leaders, and the Isaurians were forcibly resettled, ending their threat to imperial authority.

Emperor Anastasius I abolished the chrysargyron, a highly unpopular tax on trade and commerce that was collected every four years. This reform, along with others, improved the financial stability of the empire and left a substantial surplus in the treasury upon his death.

Anastasius introduced a new system of bronze coinage, including the follis and its fractions. This reform stabilized the currency and facilitated trade, becoming a standard for Byzantine coinage for centuries.

Anastasius ordered the construction of a long defensive wall, the Anastasian Wall, stretching from the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea. The wall was intended to protect Constantinople from barbarian incursions, but it proved difficult to maintain and was eventually abandoned.

After Magnentius usurped the Western Roman throne, he appointed his brother Decentius as Caesar. Decentius was given command of Gaul and tasked with defending the Rhine frontier against Germanic tribes.

Decentius's forces failed to prevent Alemanni incursions into Gaul, leading to significant devastation. This military failure weakened Magnentius's position and undermined confidence in the usurper regime.

After Magnentius was defeated by Constantius II at the Battle of Mons Seleucus, Decentius hanged himself. His suicide ended the usurper dynasty and restored the Western Roman Empire to Constantius II's control.