on 6 november 355, julian was declared caesar by constantius ii. the new caesar was a paternal first cousin to helena and her siblings. he was a son of julius constantius and his second wife basilina. his paternal grandparents were constantius chlorus and his second wife flavia maximiana theodora. at the time of his declaration julian was the only viable candidate for this position, at least within the ranks of the constantinian dynasty. the various other males of the family had died out.