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 VII.
1. For whereas we are composed of two distinct natures, I mean of body and spirit, of which the one is visible to all, the other invisible, against both these natures two kinds of barbarous and savage enemies, the one invisibly, the other openly, are constantly arrayed. The one oppose our bodies with bodily force: the other with incorporeal assaults besiege the naked soul itself.
2. Again, the visible barbarians, like the wild nomad tribes, no better than savage beasts, assail the nations of civilized men, ravage their country, and enslave their cities, rushing on those who inhabit them like ruthless wolves of the desert, and destroying all who fall under their power. But those unseen foes, more cruel far than barbarians, I mean the soul-destroying demons whose course is through the regions of the air, had succeeded, through the snares of vile polytheism, in enslaving the entire human race, insomuch that they no longer recognized the true God, but wandered in the mazes of atheistic error. For they procured, I know not whence, gods who never anywhere existed, and set him aside who is the only and the true God, as though he were not.
3. Accordingly the generation of bodies was esteemed by them a deity, and so the opposite principle to this, their dissolution and destruction, was also deified. The first, as the author of generative power, was honored with rites under the name of Venus: 32 Or Aphrodite. the second, as rich, and mighty in dominion over the human race, received the names of Pluto, and Death. For men in those ages, knowing no other than naturally generated life, declared the cause and origin of that life to be divine: and again, believing in no existence after death, they proclaimed Death himself a universal conqueror and a mighty god. Hence, unconscious of responsibility, as destined to be annihilated by death, they lived a life unworthy of the name, in the practice of actions deserving a thousand deaths. No thought of God could enter their minds, no expectation of Divine judgment, no recollection of, no reflection on, their spiritual existence: acknowledging one dread superior, Death, and persuaded that the dissolution of their bodies by his power was final annihilation, they bestowed on Death the title of a mighty, a wealthy god, and hence the name of Pluto. 33 [Μέγαν θεὸν καὶ πλούσιον, παρα καὶ Πλούτωνα, τὸν θ€νατον ἀνηγόρευον.—Bag.] Thus, then, Death became to them a god; nor only so, but whatever else they accounted precious in comparison with death, whatever contributed to the luxuries of life.
4. Hence animal pleasure became to them a god; nutrition, and its production, a god; the fruit of trees, a god; drunken riot, a god; carnal desire and pleasure, a god. Hence the mysteries of Ceres and Proserpine, the rape of the latter, and her subsequent restoration, by Pluto: hence the orgies of Bacchus, and Hercules overcome by drunkenness as by a mightier god: hence the adulterous rites of Cupid and of Venus: hence Jupiter himself infatuated with the love of women, and of Ganymede: 34 On these various names, compare Smith, Dict. of Gr. and Rom. Biog. hence the licentious legends of deities abandoned to effeminacy and pleasure.
5. Such were the weapons of superstition whereby these cruel barbarians and enemies of the Supreme God afflicted, and indeed entirely subdued, the human race; erecting everywhere the monuments of impiety, and rearing in every corner the shrines and temples of their false religion.
6. Nay, so far were the ruling powers of those times enslaved by the force of error, as to appease their gods with the blood of their own countrymen and kindred; to whet their swords against those who stood forward to defend the truth; to maintain a ruthless war and raise unholy hands, not against foreign or barbarian foes, but against men bound to them by the ties of family and affection, against brethren, and kinsmen, and dearest friends, who had resolved, in the practice of virtue and true piety, to honor and worship God.
7. Such was the spirit of madness with which these princes sacrificed to their demon deities men consecrated to the service of the King of kings. On the other hand their victims, as noble martyrs in the cause of true godliness, resolved to welcome a glorious death in preference to life itself, and utterly despised these cruelties. Strengthened, as soldiers of God, with patient fortitude, they mocked at death in all its forms; at fire, and sword, and the torment of crucifixion; at exposure to savage beasts, and drowning in the depths of the sea; at the cutting off and searing of limbs, the digging out of eyes, the mutilation of the whole body; lastly, at famine, the labor of the mines, and captivity: nay, all these sufferings they counted better than any earthly good or pleasure, for the love they bore their heavenly King. In like manner women also evinced a spirit of constancy and courage not inferior to that of men.
8. Some endured the same conflicts with them, and obtained a like reward of their virtue: others, forcibly carried off to be the victims of violence and pollution, welcomed death rather than dishonor; while many, very many more, endured not even to hear the same threats wherewith they were assailed by the provincial governors, but boldly sustained every variety of torture, and sentence of death in every form. 35 For account of the various details of persecution mentioned, compare the Church History. Thus did these valiant soldiers of the Almighty Sovereign maintain the conflict with steadfast fortitude of soul against the hostile forces of polytheism: and thus did these enemies of God and adversaries of man’s salvation, more cruel far than the ferocious savage, delight in libations of human blood: thus did their ministers drain as it were the cup of unrighteous slaughter in honor of the demons whom they served, and prepare for them this dread and impious banquet, to the ruin of the human race.
9. In these sad circumstances, what course should the God and King of these afflicted ones pursue? Could he be careless of the safety of his dearest friends or abandon his servants in this great extremity? Surely none could deem him a wary pilot, who, without an effort to save his fellow-mariners should suffer his vessel to sink with all her crew: surely no general could be found so reckless as to yield his own allies, without resistance, to the mercy of the foe: nor can a faithful shepherd regard with unconcern the straying of a single sheep from his flock, but will rather leave the rest in safety, and dare all things for the wanderer’s sake, even, if need be, to contend with savage beasts.
10. The zeal, however, of the great Sovereign of all was for no unconscious 36 “ἀλόγου.” sheep: his care was exercised for his own faithful host, for those who sustained the battle for his sake: whose conflicts in the cause of godliness he himself approved, and honored those who had returned to his presence with the prize of victory which he only can bestow, uniting them to the angelic choirs. Others he still preserved on earth, to communicate the living seeds of piety to future generations; to be at once eye-witnesses of his vengeance on the ungodly, and narrators of the events.
11. After this he outstretched his arm in judgment on the adversaries, and utterly destroyed them with the stroke of Divine wrath, compelling them, how reluctant soever to confess with their own lips and recant their wickedness, but raising from the ground and exalting gloriously those who had long been oppressed and disclaimed by all.
12. Such were the dealings of the Supreme Sovereign, who ordained an invincible champion to be the minister of his heaven-sent vengeance (for our emperor’s surpassing piety delights in the title of Servant of God), and him he has proved victorious over all that opposed him, having raised him up, an individual against many foes. For they were indeed numberless, being the friends of many evil spirits (though in reality they were nothing, and hence are now no more); but our emperor is one, appointed by, and the representative of, the one Almighty Sovereign. And they, in the very spirit of impiety, destroyed the righteous with cruel slaughter: but he, in imitation of his Saviour, and knowing only how to save men’s lives, has spared and instructed in godliness the impious themselves.
13. And so, as truly worthy the name of Victor, he has subdued the twofold race of barbarians; soothing the savage tribes of men by prudent embassies, compelling them to know and acknowledge their superiors, and reclaiming them from a lawless and brutal life to the governance of reason and humanity; at the same time that he proved by the facts themselves that the fierce and ruthless race of unseen spirits had long ago been vanquished by a higher power. For he who is the preserver of the universe had punished these invisible spirits by an invisible judgment: and our emperor, as the delegate of the Supreme Sovereign, has followed up the victory, bearing away the spoils of those who have long since died and mouldered into dust, and distributing the plunder with lavish hand among the soldiers of his victorious Lord. 37 [That is, stripping the images of those whose temples he destroyed, and apportioning the spoils among his Christian followers: See the next chapter, which is mostly a transcript of the 54th and 55th chapters of the Third Book of the Life of Constantine.—Bag.]