When Constantine the Great died, control of the Empire passed to his sons, one of whom was Constantius II. In A.D. 351, Constantius II appointed as Caesar his cousin Gallus and sent him to Syria. Gallus was such a cruel ruler that citizens complained and Constantius sent emissaries to question him. Gallus incited a mob to kill them. Constantius then invited Gallus to Milan, and had him arrested and beheaded.