His half-brother favored Julius Constantius by naming him a patrician and by appointing him consul in 335. When Constantine died on May 22, 337, Julius Constantius was in position to claim the throne for himself. He was murdered within months of Constantine's death along with most males of their family.
Only five males survived the series of assassinations. His nephews and new Roman EmperorsConstantine II, Constantius II and Constans along with his two own young sons. Constantius II is suspected to have ordered the assassination of his uncle.