The Life of Constantine with Orations of Constantine and Eusebius
Classic translation
4th c. · Church History · English translation, 1890
Source edition: Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II (ed. Schaff & Wace, 1890–1900)
Cover art: The Arch of Constantine, Rome — Herman van Swanevelt (Dutch, c. 1603–1655) (Wikimedia Commons (Google Art Project), Public domain)
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Contents
- Title Page
- Preface
- General Prolegomena: Constantine the Great.
- Life.
- Early Years
- The First Five Years of Reign
- State of Affairs in 311
- Second Five Years
- Third Five Years
- Fourth Five Years
- Fifth Five Years
- Sixth Five Years
- Last Years
- Character
- Introduction
- Inherited Characteristics
- Physical Characteristics
- Mental Characteristics
- Moral Characteristics
- Religious Characteristics
- General Characterization
- Summary
- Writings.
- Introduction
- Oratorical Writings
- Letters and Edicts
- Laws
- Various
- The Mythical Constantine.
- Introduction
- Constantine and His Mother Helena
- Constantine the Son of a British Princess
- Constantine's Leprosy; Healing and Baptism by Silvester
- Donation of Constantine
- Dream Concerning the Founding of Constantinople
- Voyage of Helena
- The Finding of the Cross
- Sources and Literature.
- Introduction
- Sources
- Literature
- Special Prolegomena.
- The Life of Constantine
- Oration of Constantine
- Oration of Eusebius
- Title Page
- The Life of Constantine.
- Book 1
- 1. Preface.—Of the Death of Constantine
- Chapter 2.—The Preface Continued
- 3. How God honors Pious Princes, but destroys Tyrants
- Chapter 4.—That God Honored Constantine
- 5. That he reigned above Thirty Years, and lived above Sixty
- 6. That he was the Servant of God, and the Conqueror of Nations
- 7. Comparison with Cyrus, King of the Persians, and with Alexander of Macedon
- 8. That he conquered nearly the Whole World
- 9. That he was the Son of a Pious Emperor, and bequeathed the Power to Royal…
- 10. Of the Need for this History, and its Value for Edification
- 11. That his Present Object is to record only the Pious Actions of Constantine
- 12. That like Moses, he was reared in the Palaces of Kings
- 13. Of Constantius his Father, who refused to imitate Diocletian, Maximian, and…
- 14. How Constantius his Father, being reproached with Poverty by Diocletian…
- 15. Of the Persecution raised by his Colleagues
- 16. How Constantius, feigning Idolatry, expelled those who consented to offer…
- 17. Of his Christian Manner of Life
- 18. That after the Abdication of Diocletian and Maximian, Constantius became…
- 19. Of his Son Constantine, who in his Youth accompanied Diocletian into…
- 20. Flight of Constantine to his Father because of the Plots of Diocletian
- 21. Death of Constantius, who leaves his Son Constantine Emperor
- 22. How, after the Burial of Constantius, Constantine was Proclaimed Augustus…
- 23. A Brief Notice of the Destruction of the Tyrants
- 24. It was by the Will of God that Constantine became possessed of the Empire
- 25. Victories of Constantine over the Barbarians and the Britons
- 26. How he resolved to deliver Rome from Maxentius
- 27. That after reflecting on the Downfall of those who had worshiped Idols, he…
- 28. How, while he was praying, God sent him a Vision of a Cross of Light in the…
- 29. How the Christ of God appeared to him in his Sleep, and commanded him to…
- 30. The Making of the Standard of the Cross
- 31. A Description of the Standard of the Cross, which the Romans now call the…
- 32. How Constantine received Instruction, and read the Sacred Scriptures
- 33. Of the Adulterous Conduct of Maxentius at Rome
- 34. How the Wife of a Prefect slew herself for Chastity’s Sake
- 35. Massacre of the Roman People by Maxentius
- 36. Magic Arts of Maxentius against Constantine; and Famine at Rome
- 37. Defeat of Maxentius’s Armies in Italy
- 38. Death of Maxentius on the Bridge of the Tiber
- 39. Constantine’s Entry into Rome
- 40. Of the Statue of Constantine holding a Cross, and its Inscription
- 41. Rejoicings throughout the Provinces; and Constantine’s Acts of Grace
- 42. The Honors Conferred upon Bishops, and the Building of Churches
- 43. Constantine’s Liberality to the Poor
- 44. How he was present at the Synods of Bishops
- 45. His Forbearance with Unreasonable Men
- Chapter 46.—Victories Over the Barbarians
- 47. Death of Maximin, who had attempted a Conspiracy, and of Others whom…
- 48. Celebration of Constantine’s Decennalia
- 49. How Licinius oppressed the East
- 50. How Licinius attempted a Conspiracy against Constantine
- 51. Intrigues of Licinius against the Bishops, and his Prohibition of Synods
- 52. Banishment of the Christians, and Confiscation of their Property
- 53. Edict that Women should not meet with the Men in the Churches
- 54. That those who refuse to sacrifice are to be dismissed from Military…
- 55. The Lawless Conduct and Covetousness of Licinius
- 56. At length he undertakes to raise a Persecution
- 57. That Maximian, brought Low by a Fistulous Ulcer with Worms, issued an Edict…
- 58. That Maximin, who had persecuted the Christians, was compelled to fly, and…
- 59. That Maximin, blinded by Disease, issued an Edict in Favor of the Christians
- Book 2
- 1. Secret Persecution by Licinius, who causes Some Bishops to be put to Death…
- 2. Demolition of Churches, and Butchery of the Bishops
- 3. How Constantine was stirred in Behalf of the Christians thus in Danger of…
- 4. That Constantine prepared himself for the War by Prayer: Licinius by the…
- 5. What Licinius, while sacrificing in a Grove, said concerning Idols, and…
- 6. An Apparition seen in the Cities subject to Licinius, as of Constantine’s…
- 7. That Victory everywhere followed the Presence of the Standard of the Cross…
- 8. That Fifty Men were selected to carry the Cross
- 9. That One of the Cross-Bearers, who fled from his Post, was slain: while…
- 10. Various Battles, and Constantine’s Victories
- 11. Flight, and Magic Arts of Licinius
- 12. How Constantine, after praying in his Tabernacle, obtained the Victory
- 13. His Humane Treatment of Prisoners
- 14. A Farther Mention of his Prayers in the Tabernacle
- 15. Treacherous Friendship, and Idolatrous Practices of Licinius
- 16. How Licinius counseled his Soldiers not to attack the Standard of the Cross
- Chapter 17.—Constantine's Victory
- 18. Death of Licinius, and Celebration of the Event
- Chapter 19.—Rejoicings and Festivities
- 20. Constantine’s Enactments in Favor of the Confessors
- 21. His Laws concerning Martyrs, and concerning Ecclesiastical Property
- 22. How he won the Favor of the People
- 23. That he declared God to be the Author of his Prosperity: and concerning his…
- 24. Law of Constantine respecting Piety towards God, and the Christian Religion
- 25. An Illustration from Ancient Times
- Chapter 26.—Of Persecuted and Persecutors
- 27. How the Persecution became the Occasion of Calamities to the Aggressors
- 28. That God chose Constantine to be the Minister of Blessing
- 29. Constantine’s Expressions of Piety towards God; and Praise of the Confessors
- 30. A Law granting Release from Exile, from Service in the Courts, and from the…
- 31. Release likewise granted to Exiles in the Islands
- 32. And to those ignominiously employed in the Mines and Public Works
- 33. Concerning those Confessors engaged in Military Service
- 34. The Liberation of Free Persons condemned to labor in the Women’s…
- 35. Of the Inheritance of the Property of Martyrs and Confessors, also of those…
- 36. The Church is declared Heir of those who leave no Kindred; and the Free…
- 37. Lands, Gardens, or Houses, but not Actual Produce from them, are to be…
- 38. In what Manner Requests should be made for these
- 39. The Treasury must restore Lands, Gardens, and Houses to the Churches
- 40. The Tombs of Martyrs and the Cemeteries to be transferred to the Possession…
- 41. Those who have purchased Property belonging to the Church, or received it…
- 42. An Earnest Exhortation to worship God
- 43. How the Enactments of Constantine were carried into Effect
- 44. That he promoted Christians to Offices of Government, and forbade Gentiles…
- 45. Statutes which forbade Sacrifice, and enjoined the Building of Churches
- 46. Constantine’s Letter to Eusebius and Other Bishops, respecting the Building…
- 47. That he wrote a Letter in Condemnation of Idolatry
- 48. Constantine’s Edict to the People of the Provinces concerning the Error of…
- 49. Concerning Constantine’s Pious Father, and the Persecutors Diocletian and…
- 50. That the Persecution originated on Account of the Oracle of Apollo, who, it…
- 51. That Constantine, when a Youth, heard from him who wrote the Persecution…
- 52. The Manifold Forms of Torture and Punishment practiced against the…
- 53. That the Barbarians kindly received the Christians
- 54. What Vengeance overtook those who on Account of the Oracle raised the…
- 55. Constantine gives Glory to God, makes Grateful Acknowledgment of the Sign…
- 56. He prays that All may be Christians, but compels None
- 57. He gives Glory to God, who has given Light by his Son to those who were in…
- 58. He glorifies him again for his Government of the Universe
- 59. He gives Glory to God, as the Constant Teacher of Good
- 60. An Admonition at the Close of the Edict, that No One should trouble his…
- 61. How Controversies originated at Alexandria through Matters relating to Arius
- 62. Concerning the Same Arius, and the Melitians
- 63. How Constantine sent a Messenger and a Letter concerning Peace
- 64. Constantine’s Letter to Alexander the Bishop, and Arius the Presbyter
- 65. His Continual Anxiety for Peace
- 66. That he also adjusted the Controversies which had arisen in Africa
- 67. That Religion began in the East
- 68. Being grieved by the Dissension, he counsels Peace
- 69. Origin of the Controversy between Alexander and Arius, and that these…
- Chapter 70.—An Exhortation to Unanimity
- 71. There should be no Contention in Matters which are in themselves of Little…
- 72. The Excess of his Pious Concern caused him to shed Tears; and his Intended…
- 73. The Controversy continues without Abatement, even after the Receipt of This…
- Book 3
- 1. A Comparison of Constantine’s Piety with the Wickedness of the Persecutors
- 2. Farther Remarks on Constantine’s Piety, and his Open Testimony to the Sign…
- 3. Of his Picture surmounted by a Cross and having beneath it a Dragon
- 4. A Farther Notice of the Controversies raised in Egypt by Arius
- 5. Of the Disagreement respecting the Celebration of Easter
- 6. How he ordered a Council to be held at Nicæa
- 7. Of the General Council, at which Bishops from all Nations were Present
- 8. That the Assembly was composed, as in the Acts of the Apostles, of…
- 9. Of the Virtue and Age of the Two Hundred and Fifty Bishops
- 10. Council in the Palace. Constantine, entering, took his Seat in the Assembly
- 11. Silence of the Council, after Some Words by the Bishop Eusebius
- 12. Constantine’s Address to the Council concerning Peace
- 13. How he led the Dissentient Bishops to Harmony of Sentiment
- 14. Unanimous Declaration of the Council concerning Faith, and the Celebration…
- 15. How Constantine entertained the Bishops on the Occasion of His Vicennalia
- 16. Presents to the Bishops, and Letters to the People generally
- 17. Constantine’s Letter to the Churches respecting the Council at Nicæa
- 18. He speaks of their Unanimity respecting the Feast of Easter, and against…
- 19. Exhortation to follow the Example of the Greater Part of the World
- 20. Exhortation to obey the Decrees of the Council
- 21. Recommendation to the Bishops, on their Departure, to Preserve Harmony
- 22. How he dismissed Some, and wrote Letters to Others; also his Presents
- 23. How he wrote to the Egyptians, exhorting them to Peace
- 24. How he wrote Frequent Letters of a Religious Character to the Bishops and…
- 25. How he ordered the Erection of a Church at Jerusalem, in the Holy Place of…
- 26. That the Holy Sepulchre had been covered with Rubbish and with Idols by the…
- 27. How Constantine commanded the Materials of the Idol Temple, and the Soil…
- 28. Discovery of the Most Holy Sepulchre
- 29. How he wrote concerning the Erection of a Church, both to the Governors of…
- 30. Constantine’s Letter to Macarius respecting the Building of the Church of…
- 31. That the Building should surpass all the Churches in the World in the…
- 32. That he instructed the Governors concerning the Beautifying of the Roof…
- 33. How the Church of our Saviour, the New Jerusalem prophesied of in…
- 34. Description of the Structure of the Holy Sepulchre
- 35. Description of the Atrium and Porticos
- 36. Description of the Walls, Roof, Decoration, and Gilding of the Body of the…
- 37. Description of the Double Porticos on Either Side, and of the Three Eastern…
- 38. Description of the Hemisphere, the Twelve Columns, and their Bowls
- 39. Description of the Inner Court, the Arcades and Porches
- 40. Of the Number of his Offerings
- 41. Of the Erection of Churches in Bethlehem, and on the Mount of Olives
- 42. That the Empress Helena, Constantine’s Mother, having visited this Locality…
- 43. A Farther Notice of the Churches at Bethlehem
- 44. Of Helena’s Generosity and Beneficent Acts
- 45. Helena’s Pious Conduct in the Churches
- 46. How she made her Will, and died at the Age of Eighty Years
- 47. How Constantine buried his Mother, and how he honored her during her Life
- 48. How he built Churches in Honor of Martyrs, and abolished Idolatry at…
- 49. Representation of the Cross in the Palace, and of Daniel at the Public…
- 50. That he erected Churches in Nicomedia, and in Other Cities
- 51. That he ordered a Church to be built at Mambre
- 52. Constantine’s Letter to Eusebius concerning Mambre
- 53. That the Saviour appeared in this Place to Abraham
- 54. Destruction of Idol Temples and Images everywhere
- 55. Overthrow of an Idol Temple, and Abolition of Licentious Practices, at…
- 56. Destruction of the Temple of Æsculapius at Ægæ
- 57. How the Gentiles abandoned Idol Worship, and turned to the Knowledge of God
- 58. How he destroyed the Temple of Venus at Heliopolis, and built the First…
- 59. Of the Disturbance at Antioch by Eustathius
- 60. Constantine’s Letter to the Antiochians, directing them not to withdraw…
- 61. The Emperor’s Letter to Eusebius praising him for refusing the Bishopric of…
- 62. Constantine’s Letter to the Council, depreciating the Removal of Eusebius…
- 63. How he displayed his Zeal for the Extirpation of Heresies
- 64. Constantine’s Edict against the Heretics
- 65. The Heretics are deprived of their Meeting Places
- 66. How on the Discovery of Prohibited Books among the Heretics, Many of them…
- Book 4
- 1. How he honored Many by Presents and Promotions
- 2. Remission of a Fourth Part of the Taxes
- 3. Equalization of the More Oppressive Taxes
- 4. His Liberality, from His Private Resources, to the Losers in Suits of a…
- 5. Conquest of the Scythians defeated through the Sign of Our Saviour
- 6. Conquest of the Sarmatians, consequent on the Rebellion of their Slaves
- 7. Ambassadors from Different Barbarous Nations receive Presents from the…
- 8. That he wrote also to the King of Persia, who had sent him an Embassy, on…
- 9. Letter of Constantine Augustus to Sapor, King of the Persians, containing a…
- 10. The Writer denounces Idols, and glorifies God
- 11. Against the Tyrants and Persecutors; and on the Captivity of Valerian
- 12. He declares that, having witnessed the Fall of the Persecutors, he now…
- 13. He bespeaks his Affectionate Interest for the Christians in his Country
- 14. How the Zealous Prayers of Constantine procured Peace to the Christians
- 15. He causes himself to be represented on his Coins, and in his Portraits, in…
- 16. He forbids by Law the Placing his Likeness in Idol Temples
- 17. Of his Prayers in the Palace, and his Reading the Holy Scriptures
- 18. He enjoins the General Observance of the Lord’s Day, and the Day of…
- 19. That he directed even his Pagan Soldiers to pray on the Lord’s Day
- 20. The Form of Prayer given by Constantine to his Soldiers
- 21. He orders the Sign of the Saviour’s Cross to be engraven on his Soldiers’…
- 22. Of his Zeal in Prayer, and the Honor he paid to the Feast of Easter
- 23. How he forbade Idolatrous Worship, but honored Martyrs and the Church…
- 24. That he described himself to be a Bishop, in Charge of Affairs External to…
- 25. Prohibition of Sacrifices, of Mystic Rites, Combats of Gladiators, also the…
- 26. Amendment of the Law in Force respecting Childless Persons, and of the Law…
- 27. Among Other Enactments, he decrees that no Christian shall slave to a Jew…
- 28. His Gifts to the Churches, and Bounties to Virgins and to the Poor
- 29. Of Constantine’s Discourses and Declamations
- 30. That he marked out before a Covetous Man the Measure of a Grave, and so put…
- 31. That he was derided because of his Excessive Clemency
- 32. Of Constantine’s Oration which he wrote to the Assembly of the Saints
- 33. How he listened standing to Eusebius’ Declamation in Honor of our Saviour’s…
- 34. That he wrote to Eusebius respecting Easter, and respecting Copies of the…
- 35. Constantine’s Letter to Eusebius, in praise of his Discourse concerning…
- 36. Constantine’s Letter to Eusebius on the Preparation of Copies of the Holy…
- 37. How the Copies were provided
- 38. How the Market-Town of Gaza was made a City for its Profession of…
- 39. That a Place in Phœnicia also was made a City, and in Other Cities Idolatry…
- 40. That having conferred the Dignity of Cæsars on his Three Sons at the Three…
- 41. That in the meantime he ordered a Council to be convened at Tyre, because…
- 42. Constantine’s Letter to the Council at Tyre
- 43. Bishops from all the Provinces attended the Dedication of the Church at…
- 44. Of their Reception by the Notary Marianus; the Distribution of Money to the…
- 45. Various Discourses by the Assembled Bishops; also by Eusebius, the Writer…
- 46. That Eusebius afterwards delivered his Description of the Church of the…
- 47. That the Council at Nicæa was held in the Twentieth, the Dedication of the…
- 48. That Constantine was displeased with one who praised him excessively
- 49. Marriage of his Son Constantius Cæsar
- 50. Embassy and Presents from the Indians
- 51. That Constantine divided the Empire between his Three Sons, whom he had…
- 52. That after they had reached Man’s Estate he was their Guide in Piety
- 53. Having reigned about Thirty-Two Years, and lived above Sixty, he still had…
- 54. Of those who abused His Extreme Benevolence for Avarice and Hypocrisy
- 55. Constantine employed himself in Composition of Various Kinds to the Close…
- 56. How he took Bishops with him on an Expedition against the Persians, and…
- 57. How he received an Embassy from the Persians and kept the Night Vigil with…
- 58. Concerning the Building of a Church in Honor of the Apostles at…
- 59. Farther Description of the same Church
- 60. He also erected his own Sepulchral Monument in this Church
- 61. His Sickness at Helenopolis, and Prayers respecting his Baptism
- 62. Constantine’s Appeal to the Bishops, requesting them to confer upon him the…
- 63. How after his Baptism he rendered Thanks to God
- 64. Constantine’s Death at Noon on the Feast of Pentecost
- 65. Lamentations of the Soldiery and their Officers
- 66. Removal of the Body from Nicomedia to the Palace at Constantinople
- 67. He received the same Honors from the Counts and other Officers as before…
- 68. Resolution of the Army to confer thence-forward the Title of Augustus on…
- 69. Mourning for Constantine at Rome; and the Honor paid him there through…
- 70. His Burial by his Son Constantius at Constantinople
- 71. Sacred Service in the Church of the Apostles on the Occasion of…
- Chapter 72.—Of the Phœnix
- 73. How Constantine is represented on Coins in the Act of ascending to Heaven
- 74. The God whom he had honored deservedly honored him in Return
- 75. He surpassed all Preceding Emperors in Devotion to God
- The Oration of Constantine.
- 1. Preliminary Remarks on the Feast of Easter: and how the Word of God, having…
- 2. An Appeal to the Church and to his Hearers to pardon and correct the Errors…
- 3. That God is the Father of the Word, and the Creator of all Things; and that…
- 4. On the Error of Idolatrous Worship
- 5. That Christ, the Son of God, created All Things, and has appointed to Every…
- 6. The Falsity of the General Opinion respecting Fate is proved by the…
- 7. In regard to Things above our Comprehension, we should glorify the Creator’s…
- 8. That God bestows an Abundant Supply of whatever is suited to the Wants of…
- 9. Of the Philosophers, who fell into Mistaken Notions, and Some of them into…
- 10. Of those who reject the Doctrines of Philosophers, as well as those of…
- 11. On the Coming of our Lord in the Flesh; its Nature and Cause
- 12. Of those who are Ignorant of this Mystery; and that their Ignorance is…
- 13. That there is a Necessary Difference between Created Things. That the…
- 14. That Created Nature differs infinitely from Uncreated Being; to which Man…
- 15. Of the Saviour’s Doctrines and Miracles; and the Benefits he confers on…
- 16. The Coming of Christ was predicted by the Prophets; and was ordained to be…
- 17. Of the Wisdom of Moses, which was an Object of Imitation to the Wise among…
- 18. Of the Erythræan Sibyl, who pointed in a Prophetic Acrostic at our Lord and…
- 19. That this Prophecy respecting our Saviour was not the Fiction of any Member…
- 20. A Farther Quotation from Virgilius Maro respecting Christ, with its…
- 21. That these Things cannot have been spoken of a Mere Man: and that…
- 22. The Emperor thankfully ascribes his Victories and all other Blessings to…
- 23. Of Christian Conduct. That God is pleased with those who lead a Life of…
- 24. Of Decius, Valerian, and Aurelian, who experienced a Miserable End in…
- 25. Of Diocletian, who ignobly abdicated the Imperial Throne, and was terrified…
- 26. The Emperor ascribes his Personal Piety to God; and shows that we are bound…
- The Oration of Eusebius.
- Prologue to the Oration
- Chapter 1.—The Oration
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18