EUSEBIUS PAMPHILUS OF CAESAREA
THE LIFE OF THE BLESSED EMPEROR CONSTANTINE
[The Bagster translation, revised by Ernest Cushing Richardson, Ph.D., Librarian and Associate Professor in Hartford
Theological Seminary.]

CHAPTER X: Of the Need for this History, and its Value for Edification.

HOWEVER, hard as it is to speak worthily of this blessed character, and though silence were the safer and less perilous
course, nevertheless it is incumbent on me, if I would escape the charge of negligence and sloth, to trace as it were a verbal
portraiture, by way of memorial of the pious prince, in imitation of the delineations of human art. For I should be ashamed of
myself were I not to employ my best efforts, feeble though they be and of little value, in praise of one who honored God with
such surpassing devotion. I think too that my work will be on other grounds both instructive and necessary, since it will
contain a description of those royal and noble actions which are pleasing to God, the Sovereign of all. For would it not be
disgraceful that the memory of Nero, and other impious and godless tyrants far worse than he, should meet with diligent
writers to embellish the relation of their worthless deeds with elegant language, and record them in voluminous histories,
and that I should be silent, to whom God himself has vouchsafed such an emperor as all history records not, and has
permitted me to come into his presence, and enjoy his acquaintance and society? (1)

Wherefore, if it is the duty of any one, it certainly is mine, to make an ample proclamation of his virtues to all in whom the
example of noble actions is capable of inspiring the love of God. For some who have written the lives of worthless
characters, and the history of actions but little tending to the improvement of morals, from private motives, either love or
enmity, and possibly in some cases with no better object than the display of their own learning, have exaggerated unduly
their description of actions intrinsically base, by a refinement and elegance of diction. (2) And thus they have become to
those who by the Divine favor had been kept apart from evil, teachers not of good, but of what should be silenced in
oblivion and darkness. But my narrative, however unequal to the greatness of the deeds it has to describe, will yet derive
luster even from the bare relation of noble actions. And surely the record of conduct that has been pleasing to God will
afford a far from unprofitable, indeed a most instructive study, to persons of well-disposed minds.

CHAPTER XI: That his Present Object is to record only the Pious Actions of Constantine.

IT is my intention, therefore, to pass over the greater part of the royal deeds of this thrice-blessed prince; as, for example,
his conflicts and engagements in the field, his personal valor, his victories and successes against the enemy, and the many
triumphs he obtained: likewise his provisions for the interests of individuals, his legislative enactments for the social
advantage of his subjects, and a multitude of other imperial labors which are fresh in the memory of all; the design of my
present undertaking being to speak and write of those circumstances only which have reference to his religious character.

And since these are themselves of almost infinite variety, I shall select from the facts which have come to my knowledge
such as are most suitable, and worthy of lasting record, and endeavor to narrate them as briefly as possible. Henceforward,
indeed, there is a full and opportunity for celebrating in every way the praises of this truly blessed prince, which hitherto we
have been unable to do, oh the ground that we are forbidden to judge any one blessed before his death, (1) because of the
uncertain vicissitudes of life. Let me implore then the help of God, and may the inspiring aid of the heavenly Word be with
me, while I commence my history from the very earliest period of his life.

CHAPTER XII: That like Moses, he was reared in the Palaces of Kings.

ANCIENT history relates that a cruel race of tyrants oppressed the Hebrew nation; and that God, who graciously regarded
them in their affliction, provided that the prophet Moses, who was then an infant, should be brought up in the very palaces
and bosoms of the oppressors, and instructed in all the wisdom they possessed. And when in the course of time he had
arrived at manhood, and the time was come for Divine justice to avenge the wrongs of the afflicted people, then the prophet
of God, in obedience to the will of a more powerful Lord, forsook the royal household, and, estranging himself in word and
deed from the tyrants by whom he had been brought up, openly acknowledging his true brethren and kinsfolk. Then God,
exalting him to be the leader of the whole nation, delivered the Hebrews from the bondage of their enemies, and inflicted
Divine vengeance through his means on the tyrant race. This ancient story, though rejected by most as fabulous, has. reached
the ears of all. But now the same God has given to us to be eye-witnesses of miracles more wonderful than fables, and, from
their recent appearance, more authentic than any report. For the tyrants of our day have ventured to war against the Supreme
God, and have sorely afflicted His Church. (1) And in the midst of these, Constantine, who was shortly to become their
destroyer, but at that time of tender age, and blooming with the down of early s youth, dwelt, as that other servant of God had
done, in the very home of the tyrants, (2) but t young as he was did not share the manner of life of the ungodly: for from that
early period his noble nature, under the leading of the Divine Spirit, inclined him to piety and a life acceptable to God. A
desire, moreover, to emulate the example of his father had its influence in stimulating the son to a virtuous course of conduct
His father was Constantius (3) (and we ought to revive his memory at this time), the most illustrious emperor of our age; of
whose life it is necessary briefly to relate a few particulars, which tell to the honor of his son.

CHAPTER XIII: Of Constantius his Father, who refused to imitate Diocletian, Maximian, and Maxentius, (1) in their
Persecution of the Christians.

At a time when four emperors (2) shared the administration of the Roman empire, Constantius alone, following a course of
conduct different from that pursued by his colleagues, entered into the friendship of the Supreme God.

For while they besieged and wasted the churches of God, leveling them to the ground, and obliterating the very foundations
of the houses of prayer, (3) he kept his hands pure from their abominable impiety, and never in any respect resembled them.
They polluted their provinces by the indiscriminate slaughter of godly men and women; but he kept his soul free from the
stain of this crime. (4)The involved in the mazes of impious idolatry, enthralled first themselves, and then all under their
authority, in bondage to the errors of evil demons, while he at the same time originated the profoundest peace throughout his
dominions, and secured to his subjects the privilege of celebrating without hindrance the worship of God. In short, while his
colleagues oppressed all men by the most grievous exactions, and rendered their lives intolerable, and even worse than
death, Constantius alone governed his people with a mild and tranquil sway, and exhibited towards them a truly parental and
fostering care. Numberless, indeed, are the other virtues of this man, which are the theme of praise to all; of these I will
record one or two instances, as specimens of the quality of those which I must pass by in silence, and then I will proceed to
the appointed order of my narrative.

CHAPTER XIV: How Constantius his Father, being reproached with Poverty by Diocletian, filled his Treasury, and
afterwards restored the Money to those by whom it had been contributed.

In consequence of the many reports in circulation respecting this prince, describing his kindness and gentleness of character,
and the extraordinary elevation of his piety, alleging too, that by reason of his extreme indulgence to his subjects, he had not
even a supply of money laid up in his treasury; the emperor who at that time occupied the place of supreme power sent to
reprehend his neglect of the public weal, at the same time reproaching him with poverty, and alleging in proof of the charge
the empty state of his treasury. On this he desired the messengers of the emperor to remain with him awhile, and, calling
together the wealthiest of his subjects of all nations under his dominion, he informed them that he was in want of money, and
that this was the time for them all to give a voluntary proof of their affection for their prince.

As soon as they heard this (as though they had long been desirous of an opportunity for showing the sincerity of their good
will), with zealous alacrity they filled the treasury with gold and silver and other wealth; each eager to surpass the rest in the
amount of his contribution: and this they did with cheerful and joyous countenances. And now Constantius desired the
messengers of the great emperor (1) personally to inspect his treasures, and directed them to give a faithful report of what
they had seen; adding, that on the present occasion he had taken this money into his own hands, but that it had long been kept
for his use in the custody of the owners, as securely as if under the charge of faithful treasurers. The ambassadors were
overwhelmed with astonishment at what they had witnessed: and on their departure it is said that the truly generous prince
sent for the owners of the property, and, after commending them severally for their obedience and true loyalty, restored it all,
and bade them return to their homes.

This one circumstance, then, conveys a proof of the generosity of him whose character we are attempting to illustrate:
another will contain the clearest testimony to his piety.

CHAPTER XV: Of the Persecution raised by his Colleagues.

By command of the supreme authorities of the empire, the governors of the several provinces had set on foot a general
persecution of the godly. Indeed, it was from the imperial courts themselves that the very first of the pious martyrs
proceeded, who passed through those conflicts for the faith, and most readily endured both fire and sword, and the depths of
the sea; every form of death, in short, so that in a brief time all the royal palaces were bereft of pious men. (1) The result
was, that the authors of this wickedness were entirely deprived of the protecting care of God, since by their persecution of
his worshipers they at the same time silenced the prayers that were wont to be made on their own behalf.

CHAPTER XVI: How Constantius, feigning Idolatry, expelled those who consented to offer Sacrifice, but retained in his
Palace all who were willing to confess Christ.

On the other hand, Constantius conceived an expedient full of sagacity, and did a thing which sounds paradoxical, but in fact
was most admirable.

He made a proposal to all the officers of his court, including even those in the highest stations of authority, offering them the
following alternative: either that they should offer sacrifice to demons, and thus be permitted to remain with him, and enjoy
their usual honors; or, in case of refusal, that they should be shut out from all access to his person, and entirely disqualified
from acquaintance and association with him. Accordingly, when they had individually made their choice, some one way and
some the other; and the choice of each had been ascertained, then this admirable prince disclosed the secret meaning of his
expedient, and condemned the cowardice and selfishness of the one party, while he highly commended the other for their
conscientious devotion to God. He declared, too, that those who had been false to their God must be unworthy of the
confidence of their prince; for how was it possible that they should preserve their fidelity to him, who had proved
themselves faithless to a higher power? He determined, therefore, that such persons should be removed altogether from the
imperial court, while, on the other hand, declaring that those men who, in bearing witness for the truth, had proved
themselves to be worthy servants of God, would manifest the same fidelity to their king, he en-trusted them with the
guardianship of his person and empire, saying that he was bound to treat such persons with special regard as his nearest and
most valued friends, and to esteem them far more highly than the richest treasures.

CHAPTER XVII: Of his Christian Manner of Life.

The father of Constantine, then, is said to have possessed such a character as we have briefly described. And what kind of
death was vouchsafed to him in consequence of such devotion to God, and how far he whom he honored made his lot to
differ from that of his colleagues in the empire, may be known to any one who will give his attention to the circumstances of
the case. For after he had for a long time given many proofs of royal virtue, in acknowledging the Supreme God alone, and
condemning the polytheism of the ungodly, and had fortified his household by the prayers of holy men, (1) he passed the
remainder of his life in remarkable repose and tranquillity, in the enjoyment of what is counted blessedness, --neither
molesting others nor being molested ourselves.

Accordingly, during the whole course of his quiet and peaceful reign, he dedicated his entire household, his children, his
wife, and domestic attendants, to the One Supreme God: so that the company assembled within the walls of his palace
differed in no respect from a church of God; wherein were also to be found his ministers, who offered continual
supplications on behalf of their prince, and this at a time when, with most,(2) it was not allowable to have any dealings with
the worshipers of God, even so far as to exchange a word with them.

CHAPTER XVIII: That after the Abdication of Diocletian and Maximian, Constantius became Chief Augustus, and was
blessed with a Numerous Offspring.

The immediate consequence of this conduct was a recompense from the hand of God, insomuch that he came into the supreme
authority of the empire. For the older emperors, for some unknown reason, resigned their power; and this sudden change took
place in the first year after their persecution of the churches. (1)

From that time Constantius alone received the honors of chief Augustus, having been previously, indeed, distinguished by the
diadem of the imperial Caesars, (2) among whom he held the first rank; but after his worth had been proved in this capacity,
he was invested with the highest dignity of the Roman empire, being named chief Augustus of the four who were afterwards
elected to that honor. Moreover, he surpassed most of the emperors in regard to the number of his family, having gathered
around him a very large circle of children both male and female. And, lastly, when he had attained to a happy old age, and
was about to pay the common debt of nature, and exchange this life for another, God once more manifested His power in a
special manner on his behalf, by providing that his eldest son Constantine should be present during his last moments, and
ready to receive the imperial power from his hands. (3)

CHAPTER XIX: Of his Son Constantine, who in his Youth accompanied Diocletian into Palestine.

The latter had been with his father's imperial colleagues, (1) and had passed his life among them, as we have said, like
God's ancient prophet. And even in the very earliest period of his youth he was judged by them to be worthy of the highest
honor. An instance of this we have ourselves seen, when he passed through Palestine with the senior emperor, (2) at whose
right hand he stood, and commanded the admiration of all who beheld him by the indications he gave even then of royal
greatness. For no one was comparable to him for grace and beauty of person, or height of stature; and he so far surpassed his
compeers in personal strength as to be a terror to them. He was, however, even more conspicuous for the excellence of his
mental (3) qualities than for his superior physical endowments; being gifted in the first place with a sound judgment, (4) and
having also reaped the advantages of a liberal education. He was also distinguished in no ordinary degree both by natural
intelligence and divinely imparted wisdom.

CHAPTER XX: Flight of Constantine to his Father because of the Plots of Diocletian. (1)

The emperors then in power, observing his manly and vigorous figure and superior mind, were moved with feelings of
jealousy and fear, and thenceforward carefully watched for an opportunity of inflicting some brand of disgrace on his
character. But the young man, being aware of their designs, the details of which, through the providence of God, more than
once came to him, sought safety in flight; (2) in this respect again keeping up his resemblance to the great prophet Moses.
Indeed, in every sense God was his helper; and he had before ordained that he should be present in readiness to succeed his
father.

CHAPTER XXI: Death of Constantius, who leaves his Son Constantine Emperor. (1)

IMMEDIATELY, therefore, on his escape from the plots which had been thus insidiously laid for him, he made his way with
all haste to his father, and arrived at length at the very time that he was lying at the point of death. (2) As soon as Constantius
saw his son thus unexpectedly in his presence, he leaped from his couch, embraced him tenderly, and, declaring that the only
anxiety which had troubled him in the prospect of death, namely, that caused by the absence of his son, was now removed, he
rendered thanks to God, saying that he now thought death better than the longest life, (3) and at once completed the
arrangement of his private affairs. Then, taking a final leave of the circle of sons and daughters by whom he was surrounded,
in his own palace, and on the imperial couch, he bequeathed the empire, according to the law of nature, (4) to his eldest son,
and breathed his last.

CHAPTER XXII: How, after the Burial of Constantius, Constantine was proclaimed Augustus by the Army.

Nor did the imperial throne remain long unoccupied: for Constantine invested himself with his father's purple, and
proceeded from his father's palace, presenting to all a renewal, as it were, in his own person, of his father's life and reign.
He then conducted the funeral procession in company with his father's friends, some preceding, others following the train,
and performed the last offices for the pious deceased with an extraordinary degree of magnificence, and all united in
honoring this thrice blessed prince with acclamations and praises, and while with one mind and voice, they glorified the rule
of the son as a living again of him who was dead, they hastened at once to hail their new sovereign by the titles of Imperial
and Worshipful Augustus, with joyful shouts. (1) Thus the memory of the deceased emperor received honor from the praises
bestowed upon his son, while the latter was pronounced blessed in being the successor of such a father. All the nations also
under his dominion were filled with joy and inexpressible gladness at not being even for a moment deprived of the benefits
of a well ordered government.

In the instance of the Emperor Constantius, God has made manifest to our generation what the end of those is who in their
lives have honored and loved him.

CHAPTER XXIII: A Brief Notice of the Destruction of the Tyrants.

With respect to the other princes, who made war against the churches of God, I have not thought it fit in the present work to
give any account of their downfall, (1) nor to stain the memory of the good by mentioning them in connection with those of an
opposite character. The knowledge of the facts themselves will of itself suffice for the wholesome admonition of those who
have witnessed or heard of the evils which severally befell them.

CHAPTER XXIV: It was by the Will of God that Constantine became possessed of the Empire.

Thus then the God of all, the Supreme Governor of the whole universe, by his own will appointed Constantine, the
descendant of so renowned a parent, to be prince and sovereign: so that, while others have been raised to this distinction by
the election of their fellow- men, he is the only one to whose elevation no mortal may boast of having contributed.

CHAPTER XXV: Victories of Constantine over the and the Britons.

As soon then as he was established on the throne, he began to care for the interests of his paternal inheritance, and visited
with much considerate kindness all those provinces which had previously been under his father's government. Some tribes of
the barbarians who dwelt on the banks of the Rhine, and the shores of the Western ocean, having ventured to revolt, he
reduced them all to obedience, and brought them from their savage state to one of gentleness. He contented himself with
checking the inroads of others, and drove from his dominions, like untamed and savage beasts, those whom he perceived to
be altogether incapable of the settled order of civilized life. (1) Having disposed of these affairs to his satisfaction, he
directed his attention to other quarters of the world, and first passed over to the British nations, (2) which lie in the very
bosom of the ocean. These he reduced to submission, and then proceeded to consider the state of the remaining portions of
the empire, that he might be ready to tender his aid wherever circumstances might require it.

CHAPTER XXVI: How he resolved to deliver Rome from Maxentius.

While, therefore, he regarded the entire world as one immense body, and perceived that the head of it all, the royal city of
the Roman empire, was bowed down by the weight of a tyrannous oppression; at first he had left the task of liberation to
those who governed the other divisions of the empire, as being his superiors in point of age. But when none of these proved
able to afford relief, and those who had attempted it had experienced a disastrous termination of their enterprise, (1) he said
that life was without enjoyment to him as long as he saw the imperial city thus afflicted, and prepared himself for the
overthrowal of the tyranny.

CHAPTER XXVII: That after reflecting on the Dawn fall of those who had worshiped Idols, he made Choice of
Christianity.

Being convinced, however, that he needed some more powerful aid than his military forces could afford him, on account of
the wicked and magical enchantments which were so diligently practiced by the tyrant, (1) he sought Divine assistance,
deeming the possession of arms and a numerous soldiery of secondary importance, but believing the co-operating power of
Deity invincible and not to be shaken. He considered, therefore, on what God he might rely for protection and assistance.
While engaged in this enquiry, the thought occurred to him, that, of the many emperors who had preceded him, those who had
rested their hopes in a multitude of gods, and served them with sacrifices and offerings, had in the first place been deceived
by flattering predictions, and oracles which promised them all prosperity, and at last had met with an unhappy end, while not
one of their gods had stood by to warn them of the impending wrath of heaven; while one alone who had pursued an entirely
opposite course, who had condemned their error, and honored the one Supreme God during his whole life, had formal I him
to be the Saviour and Protector of his empire, and the Giver of every good thing. Reflecting on this, and well weighing the
fact that they who had trusted in many gods had also fallen by manifold forms of death, without leaving behind them either
family or offspring, stock, name, or memorial among men: while the God of his father had given to him, on the other hand,
manifestations of his power and very many tokens: and considering farther that those who had already taken arms against the
tyrant, and had marched to the battle-field under the protection of a multitude of gods, had met with a dishonorable end (for
one of them (2) had shamefully retreated from the contest without a blow, and the other, (3) being slain in the midst of his
own troops, became, as it were, the mere sport of death (4) ); reviewing, I say, all these considerations, he judged it to be
folly indeed to join in the idle worship of those who were no gods, and, after such convincing evidence, to err from the truth;
and therefore felt it incumbent on him to honor his father's God alone.

CHAPTER XXVIII: How, while he was praying, God sent him a Vision of a Cross of Light in the Heavens at Mid-day,
with an Inscription admonishing him to conquer by that.

ACCORDINGLY he called on him with earnest prayer and supplications that he would reveal to him who he was, and
stretch forth his right hand to help him in his present difficulties. And while he was thus praying with fervent entreaty, a most
marvelous sign appeared to him from heaven, the account of which it might have been hard to believe had it been related by
any other person. But since the victorious emperor himself long afterwards declared it to the writer of this history, (1) when
he was honored with his acquaintance and society, and confirmed his statement by an oath, who could hesitate to accredit the
relation, especially since the testimony of after- time has established its truth? He said that about noon, when the day was
already beginning to decline, he saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and
bearing the inscription, CONQUER BY THIS. At this sight he himself was struck with amazement, and his whole army also,
which followed him on this expedition, and witnessed the miracle. (2)

CHAPTER XXIX: How the Christ of God appeared to him in his Sleep, and commanded him to use in his Wars a
Standard made in the Form of the Cross.

He said, moreover, that he doubted within himself what the import of this apparition could be. And while he continued to
ponder and reason on its meaning, night suddenly came on; then in his sleep the Christ of God appeared to him with the same
sign which he had seen in the heavens, and commanded him to make a likeness of that sign which he had seen in the heavens,
and to use it as a safeguard in all engagements with his enemies.

CHAPTER XXX: The Making of the Standard of the Cross.

AT dawn of day he arose, and communicated the marvel to his friends: and then, calling together the workers in gold and
precious stones, he sat in the midst of them, and described to them the figure of the sign he had seen, bidding them represent
it in gold and precious stones. And this representation I myself have had an opportunity of seeing.

CHAPTER XXXI: A Description of the Standard of the Cross, which the Romans now call the Labarum. (1)

Now it was made in the following manner. A long spear, overlaid with gold, formed the figure of the cross by means of a
transverse bar laid over it. On the top of the whole was fixed a wreath of gold and precious stones; and within this, (2) the
symbol of the Saviour's name, two letters indicating the name of Christ by means of its initial characters, the letter P being
intersected by X in its centre: (3) and these letters the emperor was in the habit of wearing on his helmet at a later period.
From the cross-bar of the spear was suspended a cloth, (4) a royal piece, covered with a profuse embroidery of most
brilliant precious stones; and which, being also richly interlaced with gold, presented an indescribable degree of beauty to
the beholder. This banner was of a square form, and the upright staff, whose lower section was of great length,(5) bore a
golden half-length portrait (6) of the pious emperor and his children on its upper part, beneath the trophy of the cross, and
immediately above the embroidered banner.

The emperor constantly made use of this sign of salvation as a safeguard against every adverse and hostile power, and
commanded that others similar to it should be carried at the head of all his armies.

CHAPTER XXXII: How Constantine received Instruction, and read the Sacred Scriptures.

These things were done shortly afterwards. But at the time above specified, being struck with amazement at the extraordinary
vision, and resolving to worship no other God save Him who had appeared to him, he sent for those who were acquainted
with the mysteries of His doctrines, and enquired who that God was, and what was intended by the sign of the vision he had
seen. They affirmed that He was God, the only begotten Son of the one and only God: that the sign which had appeared was
the symbol of immortality, (1) and the trophy of that victory over death which He had gained in time past when sojourning on
earth. They taught him also the causes of His advent, and explained to him the true account of His incarnation. Thus he was
instructed in these matters, and was impressed with wonder at the divine manifestation which had been presented to his
sight. Comparing, therefore, the heavenly vision with the interpretation given, he found his judgment confirmed; and, in the
persuasion that the knowledge of these things had been imparted to him by Divine teaching, he determined thenceforth to
devote himself to the reading of the Inspired writings.

Moreover, he made the priests of God his counselors, and deemed it incumbent on him to honor the God who had appeared
to him with all devotion. And after this, being fortified by well-grounded hopes in Him, he hastened to quench the threatening
fire of tyranny.

CHAPTER XXXIII: Of the Adulterous Conduct of Maxentius at Rome. (1)

For the who had tyrannically possessed himself of the imperial city, (2) had proceeded to great lengths in impiety and
wickedness, so as to venture without hesitation on every vile and impure action.

For example: he would separate women from their husbands, and after a time send them back to them again, and these insults
he offered not to men of mean or obscure condition, but to those who held the first places in the Roman senate. Moreover,
though he shamefully dishonored almost numberless free women, he was unable to satisfy his ungoverned and intemperate
desires. But (3) when he assayed to corrupt Christian women also, he could no longer secure success to his designs, since
they chose rather to submit their lives (4) to death than yield their persons to be defiled by him.

CHAPTER XXXIV: How the Wife of a Prefect slew herself for Chastity's Sake. (1)

Now a certain woman, wife of one of the senators who held the authority of prefect, when she understood that those who
ministered to the tyrant in such matters were standing before her house (she was a Christian), and knew that her husband
through fear had bidden them take her and lead her away, begged a short space of time for arraying herself in her usual dress,
and entered her chamber. There, being left alone, she sheathed a sword in her own breast, and immediately expired, leaving
indeed her dead body to the procurers, but declaring to all mankind, both to present and future generations, by an act which
spoke louder than any words, that the chastity for which Christians are famed is the only thing which is invincible and
indestructible. Such was the conduct displayed by this woman.

CHAPTER XXXV: Massacre of the Roman People by Maxentius.

All men, therefore, both people and magistrates, whether of high or low degree, trembled through fear of him whose daring
wickedness was such as I have described, and were oppressed by his grievous tyranny. Nay, though they submitted quietly,
and endured this bitter servitude, still there was no escape from the tyrant's sanguinary cruelty. For at one time, on some
trifling pretense, he exposed the populace to be slaughtered by his own body-guard; and countless multitudes of the Roman
people were slain in the very midst of the city by the lances and weapons, not of Scythians or barbarians, but of their own
fellow-citizens. And besides this, it is impossible to calculate the number of senators whose blood was shed with a view to
the seizure of their respective estates, for at different times and on various fictitious charges, multitudes of them suffered
death.

CHAPTER XXXVI: Magic Arts of Maxentius against Constantine; and Famine at Rome.

BUT the crowning point of the tyrant's wickedness was his having recourse to sorcery: sometimes for magic purposes
ripping up women with child, at other times searching into the bowels of new-born infants. He slew lions also. and practiced
certain horrid arts for evoking demons, and averting the approaching war, hoping by these means to get the victory. In short,
it is impossible to describe the manifold acts of oppression by which this tyrant of Rome enslaved his subjects: so that by
this time they were reduced to the most extreme penury and want of necessary food, a scarcity such as our contemporaries do
not remember ever before to have existed at Rome. (1)

CHAPTER XXXVII: Defeat of Maxentius's Armies in Italy.

Constantine, however, filled with compassion on account of all these miseries, began to arm himself with all warlike
preparation against the tyranny. Assuming therefore the Supreme God as his patron, and invoking His Christ to be his
preserver and aid, and setting the victorious trophy, the salutary symbol, in front of his soldiers and body- guard, he marched
with his whole forces, trying to obtain again for the Romans the freedom they had inherited from their ancestors.

And whereas, Maxentius, trusting more in his magic arts than in the affection of his subjects, dared not even advance outside
the city gates, (1) but had guarded every place and district and city subject to his tyranny, with large bodies of soldiers, (2)
the emperor, confiding in the help of God, advanced against the first and second and third divisions of the tyrant's forces,
defeated them all with ease at the first assault, (3) and made his way into the very interior of Italy.

CHAPTER XXXVIII: Death of Maxentius on the Bridge of the Tiber. (1)

And already he was approaching very near-Rome itself, when, to save him from the necessity of fighting with all the Romans
for the tyrant's sake, God himself drew the tyrant, as it were by secret cords, a long way outside the gates. (2) And now those
miracles recorded in Holy Writ, which God of old wrought against the ungodly (discredited by most as fables, yet believed
by the faithful), did he in every deed confirm to all alike, believers and unbelievers, who were eye-witnesses of the
wonders. For as once in the days of Moses and the Hebrew nation, who were worshipers of God, "Pharaoh's chariots and
his host hath he cast into the sea and his chosen chariot-captains are drowned in the Red Sea," (3) --so at this time
Maxentius, and the soldiers and guards (4) with him, "went down into the depths like stone," (5) when, in his flight before
the divinely-aided forces of Constantine, he essayed to cross the river which lay in his way, over which, making a strong
bridge of boats, he had framed an engine of destruction, really against himself, but in the hope of ca-snaring thereby him who
was beloved by God. For his God stood by the one to protect him, while the other, godless, (6) proved to be the miserable
contriver of these secret devices to his own ruin. So that one might well say, "He hath made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen
into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violence shall. come down upon his own
pate." (7) Thus, in the present instance, under divine direction, the machine erected on the bridge, with the ambuscade
concealed therein, giving way unexpectedly before the appointed time, the bridge began to sink, and the boats with the men
in them went bodily to the bottom. (8) And first the wretch himself, then his armed attendants and guards, even as the sacred
oracles had before described, "sank as lead in the mighty waters." (9) So that they who thus obtained victory from God might
well, if not in the same words, yet in fact in the same spirit as the people of his great servant Moses, sing and speak as they
did concerning the impious tyrant of old: "Let us sing unto the Lord, for he hath been glorified exceedingly: the horse and his
rider hath he thrown into the sea. He is become my helper and my shield unto salvation." And again, "Who is like unto thee,
O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, marvelous in praises, doing wonders?" (10)

CHAPTER XXXIX: Constantine's Entry into Rome.

HAVING then at this time sung these and suchlike praises to God, the Ruler of all and the Author of victory, after the
example of his great servant Moses, Constantine entered the imperial city in triumph. And here the whole body of the senate,
and others of rank and distinction in the city, freed as it were from the restraint of a prison, along with the whole Roman
populace, their countenances expressive of the gladness of their hearts, received him with acclamations and abounding joy;
men, women, and children, with countless multitudes of servants, greeting him as deliverer, preserver, and benefactor, with
incessant shouts. But he, being possessed of inward piety toward God, was neither rendered arrogant by these plaudits, nor
uplifted by the praises he heard: (1) but, being sensible that he had received help from God, he immediately rendered a
thanksgiving to him as the Author of his victory.

CHAPTER XL: Of the Statue of Constantine holding a Cross, and its Inscription.

MOREOVER, by loud proclamation and monumental inscriptions he made known to all men the salutary symbol, setting up
this great trophy of victory over his enemies in the midst of the imperial city, and expressly causing it to be engraved in
indelible characters, that the salutary symbol was the safeguard of the Roman government and of the entire empire.
Accordingly, he immediately ordered a lofty spear in the figure of a cross to be placed beneath the hand of a statue
representing himself, in the most frequented part of Rome, and the following inscription to be engraved on it in the Latin
language: BY VIRTUE OF THIS SALUTARY SIGN, WHICH IS THE TRUE TEST OF VALOR, I HAVE PRESERVED
AND LIBERATED YOUR CITY FROM THE YOKE OF TYRANNY. I HAVE ALSO SET AT LIBERTY THE ROMAN
SENATE AND PEOPLE, AND RESTORED THEM TO THEIR ANCIENT DISTINCTION AND SPLENDOR. (1)

CHAPTER XLI: Rejoicings throughout the Provinces; and Constantine's Acts of Grace.

Thus the pious emperor, glorying in the confession of the victorious cross, proclaimed the Son of God to the Romans with
great boldness of testimony. And the inhabitants of the city, one and all, senate and people, reviving, as it were, from the
pressure of a bitter and tyrannical domination, seemed to enjoy purer rays of light, and to be born again into a fresh and new
life. All the nations, too, as far as the limit of the western ocean, being set free from the calamities which had heretofore
beset them, and gladdened by joyous festivals, ceased not to praise him as the victorious, the pious, the common benefactor:
all, indeed, with one voice and one mouth, declared that Constantine had appeared by the grace of God as a general blessing
to mankind. The imperial edict also was everywhere published, whereby those who had been wrongfully deprived of their
estates were permitted again to enjoy their own, while those who had unjustly suffered exile were recalled to their homes.
Moreover, he freed from imprisonment, and from every kind of danger and fear, those who, by reason of the tyrant's cruelty,
had been subject to these sufferings.

CHAPTER XLII: The Honors conferred upon Bishops, and the Building of Churches.

The emperor also personally inviting the society of God's ministers, distinguished them with the highest possible respect and
honor, showing them favor in deed and word as persons consecrated to the service of his God. Accordingly, they were
admitted to his table, though mean in their attire and outward appearance; yet not so in his estimation, since he thought he
saw not the man as seen by the vulgar eye, but the God in him. He made them also his companions in travel, believing that
He whose servants they were would thus help him. Besides this, he gave from his own private resources costly benefactions
to the churches of God, both enlarging and heightening the sacred edifices, (1) and embellishing the august sanctuaries (2) of
the church with abundant offerings.

CHAPTER XLIII: Canstantine's Liberality to the Poor.

He likewise distributed money largely to those who were in need, and besides these showing himself philanthropist and
benefactor even to the heathen, who had no claim on him; (1) and even for the beggars in the forum, miserable and shiftless,
he provided, not with money only, or necessary food, but also decent clothing. But in the case of those who had once been
prosperous, and had experienced a reverse of circumstances, his aid was still more lavishly bestowed. On such persons, in a
truly royal spirit, he conferred magnificent benefactions; giving grants of land to some, and honoring others with various
dignities. Orphans of the unfortunate he cared for as a father, while he relieved the destitution of widows, and cared for them
with special solicitude. Nay, he even gave virgins, left unprotected by their parents' death, in marriage to wealthy men with
whom he was personally acquainted. But this he did after first bestowing on the brides such portions as it was fitting they
should bring to the communion of marriage. (2) In short, as the sun, when he rises upon the earth, liberally imparts his rays of
light to all, so did Constantine, proceeding at early dawn from the imperial palace, and rising as it were with the heavenly
luminary, impart the rays of his own beneficence to all who came into his presence. It was scarcely possible to be near him
without receiving some benefit, nor did it ever happen that any who had expected to obtain his assistance were disappointed
in their hope. (3)

CHAPTER XLIV: How he was present at the Synods of Bishops.

SUCH, then, was his general character towards all. But he exercised a peculiar care over the church of God: and whereas, in
the several provinces there were some who differed from each other in judgment, he, like some general bishop constituted by
God, convened synods of his ministers. Nor did he disdain to be present and sit with them in their assembly, but bore a share
in their deliberations, ministering to all that pertained to the peace of God. He took his seat, too, in the midst of them, as an
individual amongst many, dismissing his guards and soldiers, and all whose duty it was to defend his person; but protected
by the fear of God, and surrounded by the guardianship of his faithful friends. Those whom he saw inclined to a sound
judgment, and exhibiting a calm and conciliatory temper, received his high approbation, for he evidently delighted in a
general harmony of sentiment; while he regarded the unyielding wills aversion. (1)

CHAPTER XLV: His Forbearance with Unreasonable Men.

MOREOVER he endured with patience some who were exasperated against himself, directing them in mild and gentle terms
to control themselves, and not be turbulent. And some of these respected his admonitions, and desisted; but as to those who
proved incapable of sound judgment, he left them entirely at the disposal of God, and never himself desired harsh measures
against any one. Hence it naturally happened that the disaffected in Africa reached such a pitch of violence as even to
venture on overt acts of audacity; (1) some evil spirit, as it seems probable, being jealous of the present great prosperity,
and impelling these men to atrocious deeds, that he might excite the emperor's anger against them. He gained nothing,
however, by this malicious conduct; for the emperor laughed at these proceedings, and declared their origin to be from the
evil one; inasmuch as these were not the actions of sober persons, but of lunatics or demoniacs; who should be pitied rather
than punished; since to punish madmen is as great folly as to sympathize with their condition is supreme philanthropy. (2)

CHAPTER XLVI: Victories aver the Barbarians.

THUS the emperor in all his actions honored God, the Controller of all things, and exercised an unwearied (1) oversight
over His churches. And God requited him, by subduing all barbarous nations under his feet, so that he was able everywhere
to raise trophies over his enemies: and He proclaimed him as conqueror to all mankind, and made him a terror to his
adversaries: not indeed that this was his natural character, since he was rather the meekest, and gentlest, and most
benevolent of men.

CHAPTER XLVII: Death of Maximin, (1) who had attempted a Conspiracy, and of Others whom Constantine detected by
Divine Revelation.

WHILE he was thus engaged, the second of those who had resigned the throne, being detected in a treasonable conspiracy,
suffered a most ignominious death. He was the first whose pictures, statues, and all similar marks of honor and distinction
were everywhere destroyed, on the ground of his crimes and impiety. After him others also of the same family were
discovered in the act of forming secret plots against the emperor; all their intentions being miraculously revealed by God
through visions to His servant.

For he frequently vouchsafed to him manifestations of himself, the Divine presence appearing to him in a most marvelous
manner, and according to him manifold intimations of future events. Indeed, it is impossible to express in words the
indescribable wonders of Divine grace which God was pleased to vouchsafe to His servant. Surrounded by these, he passed
the rest of his life in security, rejoicing in the affection of his subjects, rejoicing too because he saw all beneath his

That he promoted Christians to Offices of Government, and forbade Gentiles in Such Stations to offer Sacrifice.

    After this the emperor continued to address himself to matters of high importance, and first he sent governors to the several provinces, mostly such as were devoted to the saving faith; and if any appeared inclined to adhere to Gentile worship, he forbade them to offer sacrifice. This law applied also to those who surpassed the provincial governors in rank and dignity, (1) and even to those who occupied the highest station, and held the authority of the Praetorian Praefecture. (2) If they were Christians, they were free to act consistently with their profession; if otherwise, the law required them to abstain from idolatrous sacrifices.

CHAPTER XLV:  Statutes which forbade Sacrifice, and enjoined the Building of Churches.

    Soon after this, two laws were promulgated about the same time; one of which was intended to restrain the idolatrous abominations which in time past had been practiced in every city and country; and it provided that no one should erect images, or practice divination and other false and foolish arts, or offer sacrifice in any way. (1) The other statute commanded the heightening of the oratories, and the enlargement in length and breadth of the churches of God; as though it were expected that, now the madness of polytheism was wholly removed, pretty nearly all mankind would henceforth attach themselves to the service of God. His own personal piety induced the emperor to devise and write these instructions to the governors of the several provinces: and the law farther admonished them not to spare the expenditure of money, but to draw supplies from the imperial treasury itself. Similar instructions were written also to the bishops of the several churches; and the emperor was pleased to transmit the same to myself, being the first letter which he personally addressed to me.

CHAPTER XLVII.  That he wrote a Letter in Condemnation of Idolatry.

    MOREOVER, the emperor, who continually made progress in piety towards God, dispatched an admonitory letter to the inhabitants of every province, respecting the error of idolatry into which his predecessors in power bad fallen, in which he eloquently exhorts his subjects to acknowledge the Supreme God, and openly to profess their allegiance to his Christ as their Saviour…

CHAPTER IV.  A Farther Notice of the Controversies raised in Egypt by Arius.

    IN such occupations as these he employed himself with pleasure: but the effects of that envious spirit which so troubled the peace of the churches of God in Alexandria, together with the Theban and Egyptian schism, continued to cause him no little disturbance of mind. For in fact, in every city bishops were engaged in obstinate conflict with bishops, and people rising against people; and almost like the fabled Symplegades, (1) coming into violent collision with each other. Nay, some were so far transported beyond the bounds of reason as to be guilty of reckless and outrageous conduct, and even to insult the statues of the emperor. This state of things had little power to excite his anger, but rather caused in him sorrow of spirit; for he deeply deplored the folly thus exhibited by deranged men.

CHAPTER V.

 …For as soon as he was made acquainted with the facts which I have described, and perceived that his letter to the Alexandrian Christians had failed to produce its due effect, he at once aroused the energies of his mind, and declared that he must prosecute to the utmost this war also against the secret adversary who was disturbing the peace of the Church.

CHAPTER VI.  How he ordered a Council to be held at Nicaea.

    THEN as if to bring a divine array against this enemy, he convoked a general council, and invited the speedy attendance of bishops from all quarters, in letters expressive of the honorable estimation in which he held them. Nor was this merely the issuing of a bare command but the emperor's good will contributed much to its being carried into effect: for he allowed some the use of the public means of conveyance, while he afforded to others an ample supply of horses (1) for their transport. The place, too, selected for the synod, the city Nicaea in Bithynia (named from "Victory"), was appropriate to the occasion. (2) As soon then as the imperial injunction was generally made known, all with the utmost willingness hastened thither, as though they would outstrip one another in a race; for they were impelled by the anticipation of a happy result to the conference, by the hope of enjoying present peace, and the desire of beholding something new and strange in the person of so admirable an emperor. Now when they were all assembled, it appeared evident that the proceeding was the work of God, inasmuch as men who had been most widely separated, not merely in sentiment but also personally, and by difference of country, place, and nation, were here brought together, and comprised within the walls of a single city, forming as it were a vast garland of priests, composed of a variety of the choicest flowers.

CHAPTER VII.  Of the General Council, at which Bishops from all Nations were Present. (1)

    IN effect, the most distinguished of God's ministers from all the churches which abounded in Europe, Lybia, (2) and Asia were here assembled. And a single house of prayer, as though divinely enlarged, sufficed to contain at once Syrians and Cilicians, Phoenicians and Arabians, delegates from Palestine, and others from Egypt; Thebans and Libyans, with those who came from the region of Mesopotamia. A Persian bishop too was present at this conference, nor was even a Scythian found wanting to the number. (3) Pontus, Galatia, and Pamphylia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Phrygia, furnished their most distinguished prelates; while those who dwelt in the remotest districts of Thrace and Macedonia, of Achaia and Epirus, were notwithstanding in attendance. Even from Spain itself, one whose fame was widely spread took his seat as an individual in the great assembly. (4) The prelate of the imperial city (5) was prevented from attending by extreme old age; but his presbyters were present, and supplied his place. Constantine is the first prince of any age who bound together such a garland as this with the bond of peace, and presented it to his Saviour as a thank-offering for the victories he had obtained over every foe, thus exhibiting in our own times a similitude of the apostolic company…

CHAPTER X.  Council in the Palace. Constantine, entering, took his Seat in the Assembly.

    Now when the appointed day arrived on which the council met for the final solution of the questions in dispute, each member was present for this in the central building of the palace, (1) which appeared to exceed the rest in magnitude. On each side of the interior of this were many seats disposed in order, which were occupied by those who had been invited to attend, according to their rank. As soon, then, as the whole assembly had seated themselves with becoming orderliness, a general silence prevailed, in expectation of the  emperor's arrival. And first of all, three of his immediate family entered in  succession, then others also preceded his approach, not of the soldiers or guards who usually accompanied him, but only friends in the faith. And now, all rising at the signal which indicated the emperor's entrance, at last he himself proceeded through the midst of the assembly, like some heavenly messenger of God, clothed in raiment which glittered as it were with rays of light, reflecting the glowing radiance of a purple robe, and adorned with the brilliant splendor of gold and precious stones. Such was the external appearance of his person; and with regard to his mind, it was evident that he was distinguished by piety and godly fear. This was indicated by his downcast eyes, the blush on his countenance, and his gait. For the rest of his personal excellencies, he surpassed all present in height of stature and beauty of form, as well as in majestic dignity of mien, and invincible strength and vigor. All these graces, united to a suavity of manner, and a serenity becoming his imperial station, declared the excellence of his mental qualities to be above all praise. (2) As soon as he had advanced to the upper end of the seats, at first he remained standing, and when a low chair of wrought gold had been set for him, he waited until the bishops had beckoned to him, and then sat down, and after him the whole assembly did the same.

CHAPTER XI.  Silence of the Council, after Some Words by the the Bishop Eusebius.

    The bishop who occupied the chief place in the right division of the assembly (1) then rose, and, addressing the emperor, delivered a concise speech, in a strain of thanksgiving to Almighty God on his behalf. When he had resumed his seat, silence ensued, and all regarded the emperor with fixed attention; on which he looked serenely round on the assembly with a cheerful aspect, and, having collected his thoughts, in a calm and gentle tone gave utterance to the following words:

CHAPTER XII.

    "It was once my chief desire, dearest friends, to enjoy the spectacle of your united presence; and now that this desire is fulfilled, I feel myself bound to render thanks to God the universal King, because, in addition to all his other benefits, he has granted me a blessing higher than all the rest, in permitting me to see you not only all assembled together, but all united in a common harmony of sentiment. I pray therefore that no malignant adversary may henceforth interfere to mar our happy state; I pray that, now the impious hostility of the tyrants has been forever removed by the power of God our Saviour, that spirit who delights in evil may devise no other means for exposing the divine law to blasphemous calumny; for, in my judgment, intestine strife within the Church of God, is far more evil and dangerous than any kind of war or conflict; and these our differences appear to me more grievous than any outward trouble. Accordingly, when, by the will and with the co-operation of God, I had been victorious over my enemies, I thought that nothing more remained but to render thanks to him, and sympathize in the joy of those whom he had restored to freedom through my instrumentality; as soon as I heard that intelligence which I had least expected to receive, I mean the news of your dissension, I judged it to be of no secondary importance, but with the earnest desire that a remedy for this evil also might be found through my means, I immediately sent to require your presence. And now I rejoice in beholding your assembly; but I feel that my desires will be most completely fulfilled when I can see you all united in one judgment, and that common spirit of peace and concord prevailing amongst you all, which it becomes you, as consecrated to the service of God, to commend to others. Delay not, then, dear friends: delay not, ye ministers of God, and faithful servants of him who is our common Lord and Saviour: begin from this moment to discard the causes of that disunion which has existed among you, and remove the perplexities of controversy by embracing the principles of peace. For by such conduct you will at the same time be acting in a manner most pleasing to the supreme God, and you will confer an exceeding favor on me who am your fellow-servant."

CHAPTER XIII.  How he led the Dissentient Bishops to Harmony of Sentiment.

    As soon as the emperor had spoken these words in the Latin tongue, which another interpreted, he gave permission to those who presided in the council to deliver their opinions. On this some began to accuse their neighbors, who defended themselves, and recriminated in their turn. In this manner numberless assertions were put forth by each party, and a violent controversy arose at the very commencement. Notwithstanding this, the emperor gave patient audience to all alike, and received every proposition with steadfast attention, and by occasionally assisting the argument of each party in turn, he gradually disposed even the most vehement disputants to a reconciliation. At the same time, by the affability of his address to all, and his use of the Greek language, with which he was not altogether unacquainted, he appeared in a truly attractive and amiable light, persuading some, convincing others by his reasonings, praising those who spoke well, and urging all to unity of sentiment, until at last he succeeded in bringing them to one mind and judgment respecting every disputed question.

CHAPTER XIV.  Unanimous Declaration of the Council concerning Faith, and the Celebration of Easter.

    The result was that they were not only united as concerning the faith, but that the time for the celebration of the salutary feast of Easter was agreed on by all. Those points also which were sanctioned by the resolution of the whole body were committed to writing, and received the signature of each several member. (1) Then the emperor, believing that he had thus obtained a second victory over the adversary of the Church, proceeded to solemnize a triumphal festival in honor of God…