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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 XIV.— That Created Nature differs infinitely from Uncreated Being; to which Man makes the Nearest Approach by a Life of Virtue.
Surely it must be the very height of folly to compare created with eternal things, which latter have neither beginning nor end, while the former, having been originated and called into being, and having received a commencement of their existence at some definite time, must consequently, of necessity have an end. How then can things which have thus been made, bear comparison with him who has ordained their being? Were this the case, 74 Or the senior Augustus. “Diocletian is thus entitled in the ancient panegyrists and in inscriptions.”—Heinichen. It was “towards the end of the second century of the Christian era” that there began to be a plurality of Augusti, but “from this time we find two or even a greater number of Augusti; and though in that and in all similar cases the persons honored with the title were regarded as participators of the imperial power, still the one who received the title first was looked upon as the head of the empire.”—Smith, Dict. Gr. and Rom. Ant. Or the senior Augustus. “Diocletian is thus entitled in the ancient panegyrists and in inscriptions.”—Heinichen. It was “towards the end of the second century of the Christian era” that there began to be a plurality of Augusti, but “from this time we find two or even a greater number of Augusti; and though in that and in all similar cases the persons honored with the title were regarded as participators of the imperial power, still the one who received the title first was looked upon as the head of the empire.”—Smith, Dict. Gr. and Rom. Ant. the power to command their existence could not rightly be attributed to him. Nor can celestial things be compared to him, any more than the material 75 Or “sensible”; i.e. world of sense or perception. with the intellectual 76 This is the word often rendered by Bag. as “spiritual.” world, or copies with the models from which they are formed. Nay, is it not absurd thus to confound all things, and to obscure the honor of God by comparing him with men, or even with beasts? And is it not characteristic of madmen, utterly estranged from a life of sobriety and virtue, to affect a power equivalent to that of God? If indeed we in any sense aspire to blessedness like that of God, our duty is to lead a life according to his commandments: so shall we, having finished a course consistent with the laws which he has prescribed, dwell for ever superior to the power of fate, in eternal and undecaying mansions. For the only power in man which can be elevated to a comparison with that of God, is sincere and guileless service and devotion of heart to himself, with the contemplation and study of whatever pleases him, the raising our affections above the things of earth, and directing our thoughts, as far as we may, to high and heavenly objects: for from such endeavors, it is said, a victory accrues to us more valuable than many blessings. 77 This is supposed to refer to Rev. ii. 7–10; iii. 11, &c. It might well have in mind Col. iii. 2–4, or best of all Rev. xxi. 7, as containing the thought of victory (νικ€ω = “overcome”). The cause, then, of that difference which subsists, as regards the inequality both of dignity and power in created beings, is such as I have described. In this the wise acquiesce with abundant thankfulness and joy: while those who are dissatisfied, display their own folly, and their arrogance will reap its due reward.