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Anonymous, The Life of Constantine With Orations of Constantine And Eusebius. — Preface
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General Prolegomena: Constantine the Great.
§2. The First Five Years of Reign.
§2. Inherited Characteristics.
§6. Religious Characteristics.
1. Constantine and his Mother Helena .
2. Constantine the Son of a British Princess.
3. Constantine’s Leprosy Healing and Baptism by Silvester .
5. Dream concerning the Founding of Constantinople .
Chapter II.— The Preface Continued.
Chapter III.— How God honors Pious Princes, but destroys Tyrants.
Chapter IV.— That God honored Constantine.
Chapter V.— That he reigned above Thirty Years, and lived above Sixty .
Chapter VI.— That he was the Servant of God, and the Conqueror of Nations.
Chapter VII.— Comparison with Cyrus, King of the Persians, and with Alexander of Macedon.
Chapter VIII.— That he conquered nearly the Whole World.
Chapter IX.— That he was the Son of a Pious Emperor, and bequeathed the Power to Royal Sons.
Chapter X.— Of the Need for this History, and its Value for Edification.
Chapter XI.— That his Present Object is to record only the Pious Actions of Constantine.
Chapter XII.— That like Moses, he was reared in the Palaces of Kings.
Chapter XV.— Of the Persecution raised by his Colleagues.
Chapter XVII.— Of his Christian Manner of Life.
Chapter XIX.— Of his Son Constantine, who in his Youth accompanied Diocletian into Palestine.
Chapter XX.— Flight of Constantine to his Father because of the Plots of Diocletian .
Chapter XXI.— Death of Constantius, who leaves his Son Constantine Emperor.
Chapter XXIII.— A Brief Notice of the Destruction of the Tyrants.
Chapter XXIV.— It was by the Will of God that Constantine became possessed of the Empire.
Chapter XXV.— Victories of Constantine over the Barbarians and the Britons.
Chapter XXVI.— How he resolved to deliver Rome from Maxentius.
Chapter XXX.— The Making of the Standard of the Cross.
Chapter XXXI.— A Description of the Standard of the Cross, which the Romans now call the Labarum.
Chapter XXXII.— How Constantine received Instruction, and read the Sacred Scriptures.
Chapter XXXIII.— Of the Adulterous Conduct of Maxentius at Rome.
Chapter XXXIV.— How the Wife of a Prefect slew herself for Chastity’s Sake.
Chapter XXXV.— Massacre of the Roman People by Maxentius.
Chapter XXXVI.— Magic Arts of Maxentius against Constantine and Famine at Rome.
Chapter XXXVII.— Defeat of Maxentius’s Armies in Italy.
Chapter XXXVIII.— Death of Maxentius on the Bridge of the Tiber.
Chapter XXXIX.— Constantine’s Entry into Rome.
Chapter XL.— Of the Statue of Constantine holding a Cross, and its Inscription.
Chapter XLI.— Rejoicings throughout the Provinces and Constantine’s Acts of Grace.
Chapter XLII.— The Honors Conferred upon Bishops, and the Building of Churches.
Chapter XLIII.— Constantine’s Liberality to the Poor.
Chapter XLIV.— How he was present at the Synods of Bishops.
Chapter XLV.— His Forbearance with Unreasonable Men.
Chapter XLVI.— Victories over the Barbarians.
Chapter XLVIII.— Celebration of Constantine’s Decennalia.
Chapter XLIX.— How Licinius oppressed the East.
Chapter L.— How Licinius attempted a Conspiracy against Constantine.
Chapter LI.— Intrigues of Licinius against the Bishops, and his Prohibition of Synods.
Chapter LII.— Banishment of the Christians, and Confiscation of their Property.
Chapter LIII.— Edict that Women should not meet with the Men in the Churches.
Chapter LV.— The Lawless Conduct and Covetousness of Licinius.
Chapter LVI.— At length he undertakes to raise a Persecution.
Chapter LIX.— That Maximin, blinded by Disease, issued an Edict in Favor of the Christians.
Chapter II.— Demolition of Churches, and Butchery of the Bishops.
Chapter III.— How Constantine was stirred in Behalf of the Christians thus in Danger of Persecution.
Chapter VII.— That Victory everywhere followed the Presence of the Standard of the Cross in Battle.
Chapter VIII.— That Fifty Men were selected to carry the Cross.
Chapter X.— Various Battles, and Constantine’s Victories.
Chapter XI.— Flight, and Magic Arts of Licinius.
Chapter XII.— How Constantine, after praying in his Tabernacle, obtained the Victory.
Chapter XIII.— His Humane Treatment of Prisoners.
Chapter XIV.— A Farther Mention of his Prayers in the Tabernacle.
Chapter XV.— Treacherous Friendship, and Idolatrous Practices of Licinius.
Chapter XVI.— How Licinius counseled his Soldiers not to attack the Standard of the Cross.
Chapter XVII.— Constantine’s Victory.
Chapter XVIII.— Death of Licinius, and Celebration of the Event.
Chapter XIX.— Rejoicings and Festivities.
Chapter XX.— Constantine’s Enactments in Favor of the Confessors.
Chapter XXI.— His Laws concerning Martyrs, and concerning Ecclesiastical Property.
Chapter XXII.— How he won the Favor of the People.
Chapter XXIV.— Law of Constantine respecting Piety towards God, and the Christian Religion.
Chapter XXV.— An Illustration from Ancient Times.
Chapter XXVI.— Of Persecuted and Persecutors.
Chapter XXVII.— How the Persecution became the Occasion of Calamities to the Aggressors.
Chapter XXVIII.— That God chose Constantine to be the Minister of Blessing.
Chapter XXIX.— Constantine’s Expressions of Piety towards God and Praise of the Confessors.
Chapter XXXI.— Release likewise granted to Exiles in the Islands.
Chapter XXXII.— And to those ignominiously employed in the Mines and Public Works.
Chapter XXXIII.— Concerning those Confessors engaged in Military Service.
Chapter XXXVII — Lands, Gardens, or Houses, but not Actual Produce from them, are to be given back.
Chapter XXXVIII.— In what Manner Requests should be made for these.
Chapter XXXIX.— The Treasury must restore Lands, Gardens, and Houses to the Churches.
Chapter XLII.— An Earnest Exhortation to worship God.
Chapter XLIII.— How the Enactments of Constantine were carried into Effect.
Chapter XLV.— Statutes which forbade Sacrifice, and enjoined the Building of Churches.
Chapter XLVII.— That he wrote a Letter in Condemnation of Idolatry.
Chapter XLIX.— Concerning Constantine’s Pious Father, and the Persecutors Diocletian and Maximian.
Chapter LII.— The Manifold Forms of Torture and Punishment practiced against the Christians.
Chapter LIII.— That the Barbarians kindly received the Christians.
Chapter LIV.— What Vengeance overtook those who on Account of the Oracle raised the Persecution.
Chapter LVI.— He prays that All may be Christians, but compels None.
Chapter LVII.— He gives Glory to God, who has given Light by his Son to those who were in Error.
Chapter LVIII.— He glorifies him again for his Government of the Universe.
Chapter LIX.— He gives Glory to God, as the Constant Teacher of Good.
Chapter LX.— An Admonition at the Close of the Edict, that No One should trouble his Neighbor.
Chapter LXI.— How Controversies originated at Alexandria through Matters relating to Arius.
Chapter LXII.— Concerning the Same Arius, and the Melitians.
Chapter LXIII.— How Constantine sent a Messenger and a Letter concerning Peace.
Chapter LXIV.— Constantine’s Letter to Alexander the Bishop, and Arius the Presbyter.
Chapter LXV.— His Continual Anxiety for Peace.
Chapter LXVI.— That he also adjusted the Controversies which had arisen in Africa.
Chapter LXVII.— That Religion began in the East.
Chapter LXVIII.— Being grieved by the Dissension, he counsels Peace.
Chapter LXX.— An Exhortation to Unanimity.
Chapter LXXI.— There should be no Contention in Matters which are in themselves of Little Moment.
Chapter LXXIII.— The Controversy continues without Abatement, even after the Receipt of This Letter.
Chapter III.— Of his Picture surmounted by a Cross and having beneath it a Dragon.
Chapter IV.— A Farther Notice of the Controversies raised in Egypt by Arius.
Chapter V.— Of the Disagreement respecting the Celebration of Easter.
Chapter VI.— How he ordered a Council to be held at Nicæa.
Chapter VII.— Of the General Council, at which Bishops from all Nations were Present.
Chapter IX.— Of the Virtue and Age of the Two Hundred and Fifty Bishops.
Chapter X.— Council in the Palace. Constantine, entering, took his Seat in the Assembly.
Chapter XI.— Silence of the Council, after Some Words by the Bishop Eusebius.
Chapter XII.— Constantine’s Address to the Council concerning Peace.
Chapter XIII.— How he led the Dissentient Bishops to Harmony of Sentiment.
Chapter XIV.— Unanimous Declaration of the Council concerning Faith, and the Celebration of Easter.
Chapter XV.— How Constantine entertained the Bishops on the Occasion of His Vicennalia.
Chapter XVI.— Presents to the Bishops, and Letters to the People generally.
Chapter XVII.— Constantine’s Letter to the Churches respecting the Council at Nicæa.
Chapter XIX.— Exhortation to follow the Example of the Greater Part of the World.
Chapter XX.— Exhortation to obey the Decrees of the Council.
Chapter XXI.— Recommendation to the Bishops, on their Departure, to Preserve Harmony.
Chapter XXII.— How he dismissed Some, and wrote Letters to Others also his Presents.
Chapter XXIII.— How he wrote to the Egyptians, exhorting them to Peace.
Chapter XXIV.— How he wrote Frequent Letters of a Religious Character to the Bishops and People.
Chapter XXVI.— That the Holy Sepulchre had been covered with Rubbish and with Idols by the Ungodly.
Chapter XXVIII.— Discovery of the Most Holy Sepulchre.
Chapter XXX.— Constantine’s Letter to Macarius respecting the Building of the Church of our Saviour.
Chapter XXXIV.— Description of the Structure of the Holy Sepulchre.
Chapter XXXV.— Description of the Atrium and Porticos.
Chapter XXXVI.— Description of the Walls, Roof, Decoration, and Gilding of the Body of the Church.
Chapter XXXVII.— Description of the Double Porticos on Either Side, and of the Three Eastern Gates.
Chapter XXXVIII.— Description of the Hemisphere, the Twelve Columns, and their Bowls.
Chapter XXXIX.— Description of the Inner Court, the Arcades and Porches.
Chapter XL.— Of the Number of his Offerings.
Chapter XLI.— Of the Erection of Churches in Bethlehem, and on the Mount of Olives.
Chapter XLIII.— A Farther Notice of the Churches at Bethlehem.
Chapter XLIV.— Of Helena’s Generosity and Beneficent Acts.
Chapter XLV.— Helena’s Pious Conduct in the Churches.
Chapter XLVI.— How she made her Will, and died at the Age of Eighty Years.
Chapter XLVII.— How Constantine buried his Mother, and how he honored her during her Life.
Chapter XLIX.— Representation of the Cross in the Palace, and of Daniel at the Public Fountains.
Chapter L.— That he erected Churches in Nicomedia, and in Other Cities.
Chapter LI.— That he ordered a Church to be built at Mambre.
Chapter LII.— Constantine’s Letter to Eusebius concerning Mambre.
Chapter LIII.— That the Saviour appeared in this Place to Abraham.
Chapter LIV.— Destruction of Idol Temples and Images everywhere.
Chapter LVI.— Destruction of the Temple of Æsculapius at Ægæ.
Chapter LVII.— How the Gentiles abandoned Idol Worship, and turned to the Knowledge of God.
Chapter LIX.— Of the Disturbance at Antioch by Eustathius.
Chapter LXI.— The Emperor’s Letter to Eusebius praising him for refusing the Bishopric of Antioch.
Chapter LXIII.— How he displayed his Zeal for the Extirpation of Heresies.
Chapter LXIV.— Constantine’s Edict against the Heretics.
Chapter LXV.— The Heretics are deprived of their Meeting Places.
Chapter II.— Remission of a Fourth Part of the Taxes.
Chapter III.— Equalization of the More Oppressive Taxes.
Chapter V.— Conquest of the Scythians defeated through the Sign of Our Saviour.
Chapter VI.— Conquest of the Sarmatians, consequent on the Rebellion of their Slaves.
Chapter VII.— Ambassadors from Different Barbarous Nations receive Presents from the Emperor.
Chapter X.— The Writer denounces Idols, and glorifies God.
Chapter XI.— Against the Tyrants and Persecutors and on the Captivity of Valerian.
Chapter XIII.— He bespeaks his Affectionate Interest for the Christians in his Country.
Chapter XIV.— How the Zealous Prayers of Constantine procured Peace to the Christians.
Chapter XVI.— He forbids by Law the Placing his Likeness in Idol Temples.
Chapter XVII.— Of his Prayers in the Palace, and his Reading the Holy Scriptures.
Chapter XVIII.— He enjoins the General Observance of the Lord’s Day, and the Day of Preparation.
Chapter XIX.— That he directed even his Pagan Soldiers to pray on the Lord’s Day.
Chapter XX.— The Form of Prayer given by Constantine to his Soldiers.
Chapter XXI.— He orders the Sign of the Saviour’s Cross to be engraven on his Soldiers’ Shields.
Chapter XXII.— Of his Zeal in Prayer, and the Honor he paid to the Feast of Easter.
Chapter XXIII.— How he forbade Idolatrous Worship, but honored Martyrs and the Church Festivals.
Chapter XXVI.— Amendment of the Law in Force respecting Childless Persons, and of the Law of Wills.
Chapter XXVIII.— His Gifts to the Churches, and Bounties to Virgins and to the Poor.
Chapter XXIX.— Of Constantine’s Discourses and Declamations.
Chapter XXXI.— That he was derided because of his Excessive Clemency.
Chapter XXXII.— Of Constantine’s Oration which he wrote to the Assembly of the Saints.
Chapter XXXV.— Constantine’s Letter to Eusebius, in praise of his Discourse concerning Easter.
Chapter XXXVII.— How the Copies were provided.
Chapter XLII.— Constantine’s Letter to the Council at Tyre.
Chapter XLIII.— Bishops from all the Provinces attended the Dedication of the Church at Jerusalem.
Chapter XLVIII.— That Constantine was displeased with one who praised him excessively.
Chapter XLIX.— Marriage of his Son Constantius Cæsar.
Chapter L.— Embassy and Presents from the Indians.
Chapter LII.— That after they had reached Man’s Estate he was their Guide in Piety.
Chapter LIV.— Of those who abused His Extreme Benevolence for Avarice and Hypocrisy.
Chapter LV.— Constantine employed himself in Composition of Various Kinds to the Close of his Life.
Chapter LVIII.— Concerning the Building of a Church in Honor of the Apostles at Constantinople.
Chapter LIX.— Farther Description of the same Church.
Chapter LX.— He also erected his own Sepulchral Monument in this Church.
Chapter LXI.— His Sickness at Helenopolis, and Prayers respecting his Baptism.
Chapter LXIII.— How after his Baptism he rendered Thanks to God.
Chapter LXIV.— Constantine’s Death at Noon on the Feast of Pentecost.
Chapter LXV.— Lamentations of the Soldiery and their Officers.
Chapter LXVI.— Removal of the Body from Nicomedia to the Palace at Constantinople.
Chapter LXVII.— He received the same Honors from the Counts and other Officers as before his Death.
Chapter LXVIII.— Resolution of the Army to confer thence-forward the Title of Augustus on his Sons.
Chapter LXX.— His Burial by his Son Constantius at Constantinople.
Chapter LXXII.— Of the Phœnix.
Chapter LXXIII.— How Constantine is represented on Coins in the Act of ascending to Heaven.
Chapter LXXIV.— The God whom he had honored deservedly honored him in Return.
Chapter LXXV.— He surpassed all Preceding Emperors in Devotion to God.
Chapter IV.— On the Error of Idolatrous Worship.
Chapter XI.— On the Coming of our Lord in the Flesh its Nature and Cause.
Chapter XII.— Constantine’s Address to the Council concerning Peace. 201 The earnest desire of Constantine to promote peace in the church makes one judge with leniency the rather arbitrary and very mechanical method he often took to secure it. As over against the unity of form or the unity of compromise, there is one only real unity—a unity in the truth, being one in the Truth. The secret of peace is reason with right.
“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.”