CHAPTER XXXIII

OF THE ADULTEROUS CONDUCT OF MAXENTIUS AT ROME

FOR he who had tyrannically possessed himself of the imperial city, had proceeded to great lengths in impiety and wickedness, so as to venture without hesitation on every vile and impure action.

For example: he would part lawfully-married women from their husbands, and after most grievously dishonouring them, send them back to their husbands; and these insults he offered not to men of mean or obscure condition, but to those who held the first places in the Roman senate. Moreover, though he shamefully dishonoured almost numberless free women, he was unable to satisfy his ungoverned and intemperate desires. But when he essayed to corrupt Christian women also, he could no longer secure success to his designs, since they chose rather to expose their lives to death than yield their persons to be defiled by him.