CHAPTER I

PREFACE—OF THE DEATH OF CONSTANTINE

ALREADY have all mankind united in celebrating with joyous festivities the completion of the second and third decennial periods of this great Emperor’s reign: already, on the occasion of the first of these periods, have we ourselves received him as a triumphant conqueror in the assembly of God’s ministers, and greeted him with the due meed of praise: and still more recently we have woven as it were garlands of eulogistic words, wherewith we encircled his sacred head in his own palace on the thirtieth anniversary of his reign.

But now, while I much desire to give utterance to some of the sentiments I have been accustomed to entertain, I stand perplexed and doubtful which way to turn, being wholly lost in wonder at the extraordinary spectacle before me. For to whatever quarter I direct my view, whether to the east, or to the west, or over the whole world, or toward heaven itself, I see the blessed emperor everywhere present. On earth I behold his sons, like some new reflectors of his brightness, diffusing every where the lustre of their father’s character; and I see him still living and powerful, and governing the general interests of mankind more completely than ever before, being multiplied as it were by the succession of his children to the Imperial power. They had indeed previously shared the dignity of Cæsars; but now, being invested with their father’s entire authority, and graced by his accomplishments, for the excellence of their piety they are proclaimed by the titles of Sovereign, Augustus, Worshipful, and Emperor.