Constantius had sent Paulus “Catena” from Britain to Egypt with the excuse that the consultations to and responses from the oracle of Besa had displeased him.

Paulus had set up a kangaroo court and, with near full imperial power delegated to him, began summarily passing judgment on suspected traitors.

His convictions were numerous and his punishments and methods of torture cruel.

He had summoned cartloads of shackled prisoners from all over the eastern empire.

Some had their property confiscated and were exiled, while others were placed on racks and turned on wheels before being mutilated and executed.

Paulus under Constantius’s successor, Julian, is in around 362 burned alive for his crimes.