CHAPTER XXVII

CONSTANTINE COMMANDS THE MATERIALS OF THE IDOL-TEMPLE, AND THE SOIL ITSELF, TO BE REMOVED AND THROWN TO A DISTANCE

NOR did the emperor’s zeal stop here; but he gave further orders that the materials of what was thus destroyed, both stone and timber, should be removed and thrown as far from the spot as possible; and this command also was speedily executed. The emperor, however, was not satisfied with having proceeded thus far: once more, fired with holy ardour, he directed that the ground itself should be dug up to a considerable depth, and the soil which had been polluted by the foul impurities of demon worship transported to a far distant place.