Roman History 28 - Constantine The Great Pt. 2 313-337 AD

hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode episode episode 136 let this be our final battle last week we left off in March of battle last week we left off in March of 317 ad with Constantine and linius 317 ad with Constantine and linius 317 ad with Constantine and linius renewing their Imperial Alliance for renewing their Imperial Alliance for renewing their Imperial Alliance for Constantine the settlement was something Constantine the settlement was something Constantine the settlement was something of a disappointment after after all he of a disappointment after after all he of a disappointment after after all he had beaten like kenas twice in battle had beaten like kenas twice in battle had beaten like kenas twice in battle but two sunsets and some clever but two sunsets and some clever but two sunsets and some clever maneuvering on the part of the Eastern maneuvering on the part of the Eastern maneuvering on the part of the Eastern Augustus had conspired to deny Augustus had conspired to deny Augustus had conspired to deny Constantine outright victory for linius Constantine outright victory for linius Constantine outright victory for linius though the settlement was a huge relief though the settlement was a huge relief though the settlement was a huge relief a classic case of snatching Victory from a classic case of snatching Victory from a classic case of snatching Victory from the jaws of defeat well stalemate from the jaws of defeat well stalemate from the jaws of defeat well stalemate from the jaws of defeat anyway but you know the jaws of defeat anyway but you know the jaws of defeat anyway but you know when you head into the end game with when you head into the end game with when you head into the end game with nothing but a king and two pawns nothing but a king and two pawns nothing but a king and two pawns stalemate and victory look pretty much stalemate and victory look pretty much stalemate and victory look pretty much the same the same the same Linus's position was Far weaker after Linus's position was Far weaker after Linus's position was Far weaker after the settlement than before it but he was the settlement than before it but he was the settlement than before it but he was still Augustus he still ruled the still Augustus he still ruled the still Augustus he still ruled the Eastern Empire minus what he had been Eastern Empire minus what he had been Eastern Empire minus what he had been forced to seeed to Constantine and forced to seeed to Constantine and forced to seeed to Constantine and perhaps most important of all he still perhaps most important of all he still perhaps most important of all he still had his had his had his head as I mentioned last time following head as I mentioned last time following head as I mentioned last time following the settlement linius returned to the settlement linius returned to the settlement linius returned to nicomedia while Constantine set up shop nicomedia while Constantine set up shop nicomedia while Constantine set up shop in in in serium Constantine wanted to establish serium Constantine wanted to establish serium Constantine wanted to establish his authority over the newly seated his authority over the newly seated his authority over the newly seated middle Empire yes but but he also wanted middle Empire yes but but he also wanted middle Empire yes but but he also wanted to make sure that he was right on top of to make sure that he was right on top of to make sure that he was right on top of linius in case the Eastern Augustus ever linius in case the Eastern Augustus ever linius in case the Eastern Augustus ever slipped up so he made his headquarters slipped up so he made his headquarters slipped up so he made his headquarters along the danu river this meant though along the danu river this meant though along the danu river this meant though that the always volatile Rin Frontier

that the always volatile Rin Frontier that the always volatile Rin Frontier where Constantine had spent the majority where Constantine had spent the majority where Constantine had spent the majority of his Reign thus far was no longer of his Reign thus far was no longer of his Reign thus far was no longer under close Imperial watch this as you under close Imperial watch this as you under close Imperial watch this as you can imagine made the local G citizenry can imagine made the local G citizenry can imagine made the local G citizenry nervous and hostile German tribesman nervous and hostile German tribesman nervous and hostile German tribesman giddy but both the fear and the giddy but both the fear and the giddy but both the fear and the giddiness turned out to be misplaced giddiness turned out to be misplaced giddiness turned out to be misplaced because everyone was about to discover because everyone was about to discover because everyone was about to discover that the always volatile ran Frontier that the always volatile ran Frontier that the always volatile ran Frontier was actually still under close Imperial was actually still under close Imperial was actually still under close Imperial watch now probably in his late teens the watch now probably in his late teens the watch now probably in his late teens the newly anointed Caesar Crispus was newly anointed Caesar Crispus was newly anointed Caesar Crispus was dispatched by his father to govern the dispatched by his father to govern the dispatched by his father to govern the Western provinces following the Western provinces following the Western provinces following the settlement of settlement of settlement of 317 Crispus would set up his capital in 317 Crispus would set up his capital in 317 Crispus would set up his capital in Trier and for the next 5 years would run Trier and for the next 5 years would run Trier and for the next 5 years would run the government and defend the frontier the government and defend the frontier the government and defend the frontier better than anyone could have reasonably better than anyone could have reasonably better than anyone could have reasonably expected he defeated ger tribes in expected he defeated ger tribes in expected he defeated ger tribes in battle in 318 320 and battle in 318 320 and battle in 318 320 and 322 and in the process demonstrated to 322 and in the process demonstrated to 322 and in the process demonstrated to everyone that he was every bit his everyone that he was every bit his everyone that he was every bit his father's son a brilliant commander and a father's son a brilliant commander and a father's son a brilliant commander and a Savvy Savvy Savvy politician when Father and Son visited politician when Father and Son visited politician when Father and Son visited Rome together in 320 it is reported that Rome together in 320 it is reported that Rome together in 320 it is reported that the Ovation for Crispus was louder than the Ovation for Crispus was louder than the Ovation for Crispus was louder than the Ovation for the Ovation for the Ovation for Constantine and while I hope it wasn't Constantine and while I hope it wasn't Constantine and while I hope it wasn't something as Petty as jealousy that something as Petty as jealousy that something as Petty as jealousy that ultimately led to crisp's tragic demise ultimately led to crisp's tragic demise ultimately led to crisp's tragic demise it is definitely a possibility also a it is definitely a possibility also a it is definitely a possibility also a possibility is the fact that fosta would possibility is the fact that fosta would possibility is the fact that fosta would bear two more Sons for Constantine bear two more Sons for Constantine bear two more Sons for Constantine during these years constantius II in 317 during these years constantius II in 317 during these years constantius II in 317 and constant in and constant in and constant in 323 can the wicked stepmother Trope 323 can the wicked stepmother Trope 323 can the wicked stepmother Trope really be too far

behind during the interum between the behind during the interum between the first and second Civil Wars Constantine first and second Civil Wars Constantine first and second Civil Wars Constantine and Lyin has continued to drift apart and Lyin has continued to drift apart and Lyin has continued to drift apart not just personally but politically as not just personally but politically as not just personally but politically as well up until this point the two well up until this point the two well up until this point the two Emperors had been Rivals yes but they Emperors had been Rivals yes but they Emperors had been Rivals yes but they had more or less pursued the same had more or less pursued the same had more or less pursued the same policies round about 320 though this policies round about 320 though this policies round about 320 though this began to change and once again began to change and once again began to change and once again Christianity was at the center of Christianity was at the center of Christianity was at the center of Imperial Imperial Imperial division just as Constantine was division just as Constantine was division just as Constantine was stepping up his support for the church stepping up his support for the church stepping up his support for the church Linus was dialing his back until finally Linus was dialing his back until finally Linus was dialing his back until finally he abandoned the Edict of Milan and he abandoned the Edict of Milan and he abandoned the Edict of Milan and renewed the persecution of Christians in renewed the persecution of Christians in renewed the persecution of Christians in the the the East his persecution had none of the East his persecution had none of the East his persecution had none of the bloody overtones of the great bloody overtones of the great bloody overtones of the great persecution but in the early 320s Linus persecution but in the early 320s Linus persecution but in the early 320s Linus began to target church property for began to target church property for began to target church property for confiscation and target church leaders confiscation and target church leaders confiscation and target church leaders for for for harassment back in 314 his political harassment back in 314 his political harassment back in 314 his political enemies had been the militant enemies had been the militant enemies had been the militant anti-christians and so Linus had anti-christians and so Linus had anti-christians and so Linus had ruthlessly enforced the terms of the ruthlessly enforced the terms of the ruthlessly enforced the terms of the edict but now that his rival was no edict but now that his rival was no edict but now that his rival was no longer maximinus and instead a very longer maximinus and instead a very longer maximinus and instead a very pro-christian pro-christian pro-christian Constantine the Eastern Christians who Constantine the Eastern Christians who Constantine the Eastern Christians who had once been Linus's allies were now had once been Linus's allies were now had once been Linus's allies were now suspected of being dangerous fifth suspected of being dangerous fifth suspected of being dangerous fifth columnists Linus knew a political threat columnists Linus knew a political threat columnists Linus knew a political threat when he saw it so he abandoned the edict when he saw it so he abandoned the edict when he saw it so he abandoned the edict and went after a group of people he and went after a group of people he and went after a group of people he probably rightfully suspected of probably rightfully suspected of probably rightfully suspected of harboring cross loyalties but how hard Linus pressed the loyalties but how hard Linus pressed the renewed persecution is difficult to

renewed persecution is difficult to renewed persecution is difficult to determine because Constantine would determine because Constantine would determine because Constantine would specifically cite Linus's treatment of specifically cite Linus's treatment of specifically cite Linus's treatment of the Christians as one of his main the Christians as one of his main the Christians as one of his main reasons for going back to war separating reasons for going back to war separating reasons for going back to war separating truth from propaganda is a tough truth from propaganda is a tough truth from propaganda is a tough assignment what is a less tough assignment what is a less tough assignment what is a less tough assignment is determining the nature of assignment is determining the nature of assignment is determining the nature of Constantine's treatment of the Constantine's treatment of the Constantine's treatment of the Christians in his domain because with Christians in his domain because with Christians in his domain because with each passing day it was becoming more each passing day it was becoming more each passing day it was becoming more and more apparent which religion was the and more apparent which religion was the and more apparent which religion was the Western augustus's favorite Western augustus's favorite Western augustus's favorite religion as late as 315 when his religion as late as 315 when his religion as late as 315 when his triumphal arch in Rome was erected triumphal arch in Rome was erected triumphal arch in Rome was erected Constantine was still pretty vague about Constantine was still pretty vague about Constantine was still pretty vague about his religious his religious his religious beliefs the arch only refers to the fact beliefs the arch only refers to the fact beliefs the arch only refers to the fact Constantine was quote inspired by the Constantine was quote inspired by the Constantine was quote inspired by the Divine without naming any Divine without naming any Divine without naming any names even more interesting is the fact names even more interesting is the fact names even more interesting is the fact that nowhere in the depiction of the that nowhere in the depiction of the that nowhere in the depiction of the battle of the milvian bridge a depiction battle of the milvian bridge a depiction battle of the milvian bridge a depiction which explicitly contains carvings of which explicitly contains carvings of which explicitly contains carvings of Constantine's various military standards Constantine's various military standards Constantine's various military standards does the labarum or the Cairo or any does the labarum or the Cairo or any does the labarum or the Cairo or any other kind of cross appear which is other kind of cross appear which is other kind of cross appear which is pretty surprising given the story we've pretty surprising given the story we've pretty surprising given the story we've all been told about how Constantine was all been told about how Constantine was all been told about how Constantine was ordered to conquer in this sign ordered to conquer in this sign ordered to conquer in this sign but the omission of the Cairo from the but the omission of the Cairo from the but the omission of the Cairo from the arch curious as it is also appears to be arch curious as it is also appears to be arch curious as it is also appears to be the last gasp of Constantine the the last gasp of Constantine the the last gasp of Constantine the dissembler from here on out we move dissembler from here on out we move dissembler from here on out we move pretty decisively over to Constantine pretty decisively over to Constantine pretty decisively over to Constantine the Christian The Man Who Would One Day the Christian The Man Who Would One Day the Christian The Man Who Would One Day become literally a

become literally a become literally a saint in the period between his victory saint in the period between his victory saint in the period between his victory over maxentius and his coming victory over maxentius and his coming victory over maxentius and his coming victory over Linus Constantine's patronage of over Linus Constantine's patronage of over Linus Constantine's patronage of Christianity became wider and deeper he Christianity became wider and deeper he Christianity became wider and deeper he sponsored the building or rebuilding of sponsored the building or rebuilding of sponsored the building or rebuilding of churches he Exempted clergymen from tax churches he Exempted clergymen from tax churches he Exempted clergymen from tax obligations and a signaling the esteem obligations and a signaling the esteem obligations and a signaling the esteem with which he held the church leadership with which he held the church leadership with which he held the church leadership when they traveled he allowed them to when they traveled he allowed them to when they traveled he allowed them to use the Imperial Post an honor that was use the Imperial Post an honor that was use the Imperial Post an honor that was reserved only for the most important reserved only for the most important reserved only for the most important imperial agents and beyond that when the imperial agents and beyond that when the imperial agents and beyond that when the Bishops of the Western Empire were Bishops of the Western Empire were Bishops of the Western Empire were convening for the council ARL a council convening for the council ARL a council convening for the council ARL a council which in and of itself points to which in and of itself points to which in and of itself points to Constantine's special interest in the Constantine's special interest in the Constantine's special interest in the church he paid for all necessary travel church he paid for all necessary travel church he paid for all necessary travel expenses the emperor still maintained expenses the emperor still maintained expenses the emperor still maintained his patronage of pagan philosophers and his patronage of pagan philosophers and his patronage of pagan philosophers and orators and was happy to let them sing orators and was happy to let them sing orators and was happy to let them sing his Praises on their own terms but his Praises on their own terms but his Praises on their own terms but clearly this was a man becoming less and clearly this was a man becoming less and clearly this was a man becoming less and less shy about openly promoting less shy about openly promoting less shy about openly promoting Christianity and as I said before when Christianity and as I said before when Christianity and as I said before when he declared war on linius in 324 the he declared war on linius in 324 the he declared war on linius in 324 the defense of Eastern Christians would form defense of Eastern Christians would form defense of Eastern Christians would form the backbone of his rationale not that I found any direct link between not that I found any direct link between the two events but it is interesting to the two events but it is interesting to the two events but it is interesting to note that not long after lenus started note that not long after lenus started note that not long after lenus started harassing Christians again Constantine harassing Christians again Constantine harassing Christians again Constantine accidentally stumbled into the Eastern accidentally stumbled into the Eastern accidentally stumbled into the Eastern augustus's territory at the head of a augustus's territory at the head of a augustus's territory at the head of a very large very large very large army the official story is that army the official story is that army the official story is that Constantine had been north of the danu Constantine had been north of the danu Constantine had been north of the danu chasing some hostile sarmati and that

chasing some hostile sarmati and that chasing some hostile sarmati and that they decided to flee Southeast and cross they decided to flee Southeast and cross they decided to flee Southeast and cross the river into the river into the river into th Constantine couldn't very well let th Constantine couldn't very well let th Constantine couldn't very well let them just get away so so he followed them just get away so so he followed them just get away so so he followed imaginary boundaries between the imaginary boundaries between the imaginary boundaries between the Emperors be Emperors be Emperors be damned linis of course took deep offense damned linis of course took deep offense damned linis of course took deep offense to Constantine's presence and protested to Constantine's presence and protested to Constantine's presence and protested naturally suspecting that the whole naturally suspecting that the whole naturally suspecting that the whole thing was a contrived attempt to suck thing was a contrived attempt to suck thing was a contrived attempt to suck him back into him back into him back into war if Constantine was looking to war if Constantine was looking to war if Constantine was looking to provoke something though linius refused provoke something though linius refused provoke something though linius refused to take the bait and the Eastern to take the bait and the Eastern to take the bait and the Eastern Augustus stopped short of threatening Augustus stopped short of threatening Augustus stopped short of threatening military military military action but Constantine was undeterred action but Constantine was undeterred action but Constantine was undeterred and after a few more years passed he and after a few more years passed he and after a few more years passed he tried the same trick again at which tried the same trick again at which tried the same trick again at which point Linus would be unable to ignore point Linus would be unable to ignore point Linus would be unable to ignore Constantine's aggressive disregard for Constantine's aggressive disregard for Constantine's aggressive disregard for the terms of their settlement in the spring of 324 settlement in the spring of 324 Constantine was once again north of the Constantine was once again north of the Constantine was once again north of the danu either campaigning against the danu either campaigning against the danu either campaigning against the Goths or the sarmatians depending on Goths or the sarmatians depending on Goths or the sarmatians depending on your source and once again they just your source and once again they just your source and once again they just happened to flee Southeast into Linus's happened to flee Southeast into Linus's happened to flee Southeast into Linus's territory once again Constantine pursued territory once again Constantine pursued territory once again Constantine pursued and once again linius got a message and once again linius got a message and once again linius got a message saying that his brother Emperor was saying that his brother Emperor was saying that his brother Emperor was camped out in thce at the head of a very camped out in thce at the head of a very camped out in thce at the head of a very large large large army this time linius was livid and army this time linius was livid and army this time linius was livid and basically told Constantine to get out of basically told Constantine to get out of basically told Constantine to get out of his territory or his territory or his territory or else this heavy-handed threat was all else this heavy-handed threat was all else this heavy-handed threat was all Constantine Constantine Constantine needed protesting that he was just doing needed protesting that he was just doing needed protesting that he was just doing his best to defend the frontier his best to defend the frontier his best to defend the frontier Constantine announced that this was the Constantine announced that this was the Constantine announced that this was the last straw he had stood by and watched

last straw he had stood by and watched last straw he had stood by and watched as the despised Tyrant like kenas you as the despised Tyrant like kenas you as the despised Tyrant like kenas you see what I did just there had see what I did just there had see what I did just there had resurrected the evil persecution of the resurrected the evil persecution of the resurrected the evil persecution of the Christians ignored his Imperial Christians ignored his Imperial Christians ignored his Imperial responsibilities and was generally responsibilities and was generally responsibilities and was generally living the life of a debauched villain living the life of a debauched villain living the life of a debauched villain citing in particular Linus's Advanced citing in particular Linus's Advanced citing in particular Linus's Advanced age and unpopular vices Constantine age and unpopular vices Constantine age and unpopular vices Constantine declared that it was his moral duty to declared that it was his moral duty to declared that it was his moral duty to rid the Empire of this Imperial rid the Empire of this Imperial rid the Empire of this Imperial cancer as spring turned to Summer cancer as spring turned to Summer cancer as spring turned to Summer Constantine finally got the war everyone Constantine finally got the war everyone Constantine finally got the war everyone suspected he had been trying to start suspected he had been trying to start suspected he had been trying to start for years both Emperors immediately muster years both Emperors immediately muster the largest armies they could put the largest armies they could put the largest armies they could put together as it was understood on both together as it was understood on both together as it was understood on both sides that there would be no settlement sides that there would be no settlement sides that there would be no settlement This Time This Time This Time Around The Troop numbers while obviously Around The Troop numbers while obviously Around The Troop numbers while obviously exaggerated speak to the seriousness exaggerated speak to the seriousness exaggerated speak to the seriousness with which both men took the coming with which both men took the coming with which both men took the coming confrontation like kenas allegedly confrontation like kenas allegedly confrontation like kenas allegedly gathered 165,000 men while Constantine gathered 165,000 men while Constantine gathered 165,000 men while Constantine LED 130,000 of his own it appears that LED 130,000 of his own it appears that LED 130,000 of his own it appears that both men could afford to concentrate both men could afford to concentrate both men could afford to concentrate such massive forces without weakening such massive forces without weakening such massive forces without weakening the Frontiers because their armies were the Frontiers because their armies were the Frontiers because their armies were in large part made up of mercenary in large part made up of mercenary in large part made up of mercenary forces who would otherwise be the ones forces who would otherwise be the ones forces who would otherwise be the ones the Border Legions were fending off the Border Legions were fending off the Border Legions were fending off Franks for Constantine and Goths for Franks for Constantine and Goths for Franks for Constantine and Goths for linius in essence the whole Roman World linius in essence the whole Roman World linius in essence the whole Roman World friend and foe Alik stopped what they friend and foe Alik stopped what they friend and foe Alik stopped what they were doing and focused on the coming were doing and focused on the coming were doing and focused on the coming civil war in addition to the ground civil war in addition to the ground civil war in addition to the ground forces each Emperor also assembled a forces each Emperor also assembled a forces each Emperor also assembled a Navy Linus's was there to protect the

Navy Linus's was there to protect the Navy Linus's was there to protect the crucial hellis spawn and bosphorous crucial hellis spawn and bosphorous crucial hellis spawn and bosphorous crossings Constantine crossings Constantine crossings Constantine was there to seize was there to seize was there to seize them in July of 324 the two sides were them in July of 324 the two sides were them in July of 324 the two sides were ready to have it out Linus took up a ready to have it out Linus took up a ready to have it out Linus took up a strong position at Adrian opal on the strong position at Adrian opal on the strong position at Adrian opal on the east side of the heis river now the east side of the heis river now the east side of the heis river now the Marita River in Bulgaria Constantine Marita River in Bulgaria Constantine Marita River in Bulgaria Constantine Advanced to meet him and took up his own Advanced to meet him and took up his own Advanced to meet him and took up his own strong position on the west side of the strong position on the west side of the strong position on the west side of the river for days neither Commander was river for days neither Commander was river for days neither Commander was willing to make a move after all willing to make a move after all willing to make a move after all crossing a river directly in front of crossing a river directly in front of crossing a river directly in front of enemy forces puts you at a con enemy forces puts you at a con enemy forces puts you at a con considerable tactical considerable tactical considerable tactical disadvantage but Constantine finally got disadvantage but Constantine finally got disadvantage but Constantine finally got sick of the staring contest and devised sick of the staring contest and devised sick of the staring contest and devised a plan so cunning you could pin a tail a plan so cunning you could pin a tail a plan so cunning you could pin a tail on it and call it a on it and call it a on it and call it a weasel his Scouts had identified a good weasel his Scouts had identified a good weasel his Scouts had identified a good possible Crossing Point a little ways possible Crossing Point a little ways possible Crossing Point a little ways Upstream so Constantine ordered a Upstream so Constantine ordered a Upstream so Constantine ordered a division of his men to make a very big division of his men to make a very big division of his men to make a very big show of building a bridge a little ways show of building a bridge a little ways show of building a bridge a little ways Downstream Linus fell for the R's Downstream Linus fell for the R's Downstream Linus fell for the R's hookline and sinker and focused all his hookline and sinker and focused all his hookline and sinker and focused all his attention on the decoy construction attention on the decoy construction attention on the decoy construction project con Constantine then personally project con Constantine then personally project con Constantine then personally LED an expeditionary force and Cavalry LED an expeditionary force and Cavalry LED an expeditionary force and Cavalry and archers across the river at the and archers across the river at the and archers across the river at the Upstream Crossing they took Linus's Army Upstream Crossing they took Linus's Army Upstream Crossing they took Linus's Army completely by surprise and caused so completely by surprise and caused so completely by surprise and caused so much chaos in the enemy ranks that the much chaos in the enemy ranks that the much chaos in the enemy ranks that the rest of Constantine's Army was able to rest of Constantine's Army was able to rest of Constantine's Army was able to cross the river un cross the river un cross the river un opposed once the two forces were on the opposed once the two forces were on the opposed once the two forces were on the same side of the heis the Battle of same side of the heis the Battle of same side of the heis the Battle of Adrien opal could really get going in Earnest though they had been taken by

Earnest though they had been taken by surprise Linus's Army was not just going surprise Linus's Army was not just going surprise Linus's Army was not just going to roll over and once the initial shock to roll over and once the initial shock to roll over and once the initial shock wore off they rallied effectively and wore off they rallied effectively and wore off they rallied effectively and just like every other battle between just like every other battle between just like every other battle between Constantine and Linus the fight turned Constantine and Linus the fight turned Constantine and Linus the fight turned into an evenly matched into an evenly matched into an evenly matched slugfest at some point in the battle one slugfest at some point in the battle one slugfest at some point in the battle one of Constantine's flanks was even being of Constantine's flanks was even being of Constantine's flanks was even being pushed back but according to Legend he pushed back but according to Legend he pushed back but according to Legend he dispatched the labar room to that corner dispatched the labar room to that corner dispatched the labar room to that corner of the battle and thanks to its magical of the battle and thanks to its magical of the battle and thanks to its magical properties Linus's Advance was properties Linus's Advance was properties Linus's Advance was halted once again the battle lasted halted once again the battle lasted halted once again the battle lasted until sundown without a decisive until sundown without a decisive until sundown without a decisive conclusion and once again like kinas who conclusion and once again like kinas who conclusion and once again like kinas who had lost something like 30,000 men in had lost something like 30,000 men in had lost something like 30,000 men in the fighting withdrew under the cover of the fighting withdrew under the cover of the fighting withdrew under the cover of darkness when morning came though darkness when morning came though darkness when morning came though Constantine was not able to immediately Constantine was not able to immediately Constantine was not able to immediately pursue his rival because it appears that pursue his rival because it appears that pursue his rival because it appears that he had been wounded in the previous he had been wounded in the previous he had been wounded in the previous day's fighting though the injury was not day's fighting though the injury was not day's fighting though the injury was not serious enough to keep him out of action serious enough to keep him out of action serious enough to keep him out of action for long in contrast to his line of retreat long in contrast to his line of retreat following the Battle of Maria this time following the Battle of Maria this time following the Battle of Maria this time linius headed directly to Byzantium linius headed directly to Byzantium linius headed directly to Byzantium without stopping Constantine was not without stopping Constantine was not without stopping Constantine was not going to fall for the same trick twice going to fall for the same trick twice going to fall for the same trick twice so better to just play it so better to just play it so better to just play it safe once he got to Byzantium Linus safe once he got to Byzantium Linus safe once he got to Byzantium Linus followed the same pattern he established followed the same pattern he established followed the same pattern he established following his initial defeat at the following his initial defeat at the following his initial defeat at the Battle of kibali and he appointed a man Battle of kibali and he appointed a man Battle of kibali and he appointed a man named seus martinis to the rank of named seus martinis to the rank of named seus martinis to the rank of Caesar it wasn't exactly the same as Caesar it wasn't exactly the same as Caesar it wasn't exactly the same as appointing vein's Augustus but it had appointing vein's Augustus but it had appointing vein's Augustus but it had the same effect a key subordinates

the same effect a key subordinates the same effect a key subordinates loyalty was secured and his army had loyalty was secured and his army had loyalty was secured and his army had another leader of Imperial standing to another leader of Imperial standing to another leader of Imperial standing to help share responsibility for the help share responsibility for the help share responsibility for the war after designating some of his troops war after designating some of his troops war after designating some of his troops to act as byzantium's Defense Force to act as byzantium's Defense Force to act as byzantium's Defense Force Linus began fing the rest of his men Linus began fing the rest of his men Linus began fing the rest of his men across the Bosphorus with all haste across the Bosphorus with all haste across the Bosphorus with all haste putting Martinis in charge of the Army putting Martinis in charge of the Army putting Martinis in charge of the Army on the far side linius was confident on the far side linius was confident on the far side linius was confident that the Navy he had posted in the that the Navy he had posted in the that the Navy he had posted in the propontis would prevent Constantine's propontis would prevent Constantine's propontis would prevent Constantine's Navy from ever entering the hellison but Navy from ever entering the hellison but Navy from ever entering the hellison but he was not taking any he was not taking any he was not taking any chances if constantin's Navy Were chances if constantin's Navy Were chances if constantin's Navy Were Somehow able to seize control of the Somehow able to seize control of the Somehow able to seize control of the narrow straights separating Europe from narrow straights separating Europe from narrow straights separating Europe from Asia the Eastern Augustus knew he would Asia the Eastern Augustus knew he would Asia the Eastern Augustus knew he would be in big trouble better to just cross be in big trouble better to just cross be in big trouble better to just cross over to bethia now and not worry about over to bethia now and not worry about over to bethia now and not worry about getting trapped in Byzantium and it was getting trapped in Byzantium and it was getting trapped in Byzantium and it was a good thing he didn't take chances a good thing he didn't take chances a good thing he didn't take chances because the coming Battle of the because the coming Battle of the because the coming Battle of the hellison was not going to go well for hellison was not going to go well for hellison was not going to go well for Linus's Navy at all while he was gathering his army in all while he was gathering his army in the early summer of 324 Constantine had the early summer of 324 Constantine had the early summer of 324 Constantine had recalled chrispus from the r Frontier recalled chrispus from the r Frontier recalled chrispus from the r Frontier and ordered him down to the Greek Port and ordered him down to the Greek Port and ordered him down to the Greek Port of pyus to take command of the Navy of pyus to take command of the Navy of pyus to take command of the Navy assembled there it was a good-sized assembled there it was a good-sized assembled there it was a good-sized fleet 80 ships in all but nowhere near fleet 80 ships in all but nowhere near fleet 80 ships in all but nowhere near the number Linus had at his disposal but the number Linus had at his disposal but the number Linus had at his disposal but Crispus undeterred sailed out towards Crispus undeterred sailed out towards Crispus undeterred sailed out towards the hellis spa anyway his orders were to the hellis spa anyway his orders were to the hellis spa anyway his orders were to seize all the waterways between the aian seize all the waterways between the aian seize all the waterways between the aian and the Black and the Black and the Black Sea when linius received word that Sea when linius received word that Sea when linius received word that Crispus was on the way he ordered 200 of

Crispus was on the way he ordered 200 of Crispus was on the way he ordered 200 of his ships down to block hay The Straits his ships down to block hay The Straits his ships down to block hay The Straits of the of the of the helison the idea of course was that this helison the idea of course was that this helison the idea of course was that this force would overwhelm crisp's smaller force would overwhelm crisp's smaller force would overwhelm crisp's smaller Fleet but in the narrow Waters of the Fleet but in the narrow Waters of the Fleet but in the narrow Waters of the helison the larger numbers actually helison the larger numbers actually helison the larger numbers actually worked against Linus's Admiral Crispus worked against Linus's Admiral Crispus worked against Linus's Admiral Crispus was able to defly maneuver around the was able to defly maneuver around the was able to defly maneuver around the larger and more constrained enemy Fleet larger and more constrained enemy Fleet larger and more constrained enemy Fleet and he inflicted serious damage before and he inflicted serious damage before and he inflicted serious damage before Linus's Navy was able to withdraw North Linus's Navy was able to withdraw North Linus's Navy was able to withdraw North to regroup in the aftermath of the first regroup in the aftermath of the first naval battle Crispus was reinforced naval battle Crispus was reinforced naval battle Crispus was reinforced possibly by ships sailing around from possibly by ships sailing around from possibly by ships sailing around from Rena and when he sailed further into the Rena and when he sailed further into the Rena and when he sailed further into the hellison to confront Linus's Navy he now hellison to confront Linus's Navy he now hellison to confront Linus's Navy he now had something like 200 ships at his had something like 200 ships at his had something like 200 ships at his disposal linius desperate to prevent the disposal linius desperate to prevent the disposal linius desperate to prevent the sea Lanes from falling into enemy hands sea Lanes from falling into enemy hands sea Lanes from falling into enemy hands ordered his full force of around 350 ordered his full force of around 350 ordered his full force of around 350 ships to go down and sink the son of ships to go down and sink the son of ships to go down and sink the son of Constantine this time the two navies met Constantine this time the two navies met Constantine this time the two navies met near modern galipoli and by all near modern galipoli and by all near modern galipoli and by all appearances it looked like the stage was appearances it looked like the stage was appearances it looked like the stage was set for a great naval battle set for a great naval battle set for a great naval battle but just prior to the engagement a storm but just prior to the engagement a storm but just prior to the engagement a storm kicked up that hit Linus's Fleet kicked up that hit Linus's Fleet kicked up that hit Linus's Fleet particularly hard the ships that were particularly hard the ships that were particularly hard the ships that were not runr were badly damaged and the not runr were badly damaged and the not runr were badly damaged and the crews were so battered that when Crispus crews were so battered that when Crispus crews were so battered that when Crispus Advanced the battle turned out to be Advanced the battle turned out to be Advanced the battle turned out to be little more than a mop-up little more than a mop-up little more than a mop-up operation it is reported that only four operation it is reported that only four operation it is reported that only four of Linus's ships escaped undamaged or of Linus's ships escaped undamaged or of Linus's ships escaped undamaged or uncaptured the sea now belonged to Constantine when Linus found out what

Constantine when Linus found out what had happened he ordered all the troops had happened he ordered all the troops had happened he ordered all the troops in the now indefensible Byzantium to in the now indefensible Byzantium to in the now indefensible Byzantium to abandon the city and get their butts abandon the city and get their butts abandon the city and get their butts across the BOS forus on the across the BOS forus on the across the BOS forus on the double with martinis guarding the coast double with martinis guarding the coast double with martinis guarding the coast linius mustered the rest of his linius mustered the rest of his linius mustered the rest of his remaining troops and tried to figure out remaining troops and tried to figure out remaining troops and tried to figure out what he was going to do next Constantine what he was going to do next Constantine what he was going to do next Constantine meanwhile could smell blood in the water meanwhile could smell blood in the water meanwhile could smell blood in the water and pressed his Advantage and pressed his Advantage and pressed his Advantage hard using light transports to farious hard using light transports to farious hard using light transports to farious men across the Bosphorus he was able to men across the Bosphorus he was able to men across the Bosphorus he was able to elude martinis and had the bulk of his elude martinis and had the bulk of his elude martinis and had the bulk of his army across before the new SE was able army across before the new SE was able army across before the new SE was able to do anything about it linius then to do anything about it linius then to do anything about it linius then ordered martinus to abandon the coast ordered martinus to abandon the coast ordered martinus to abandon the coast and rendevu with the rest of the army and rendevu with the rest of the army and rendevu with the rest of the army combined they would make a stand at combined they would make a stand at combined they would make a stand at copoulos a fortified City a few miles copoulos a fortified City a few miles copoulos a fortified City a few miles north but Constantine had guessed their north but Constantine had guessed their north but Constantine had guessed their plans and with all the momentum going plans and with all the momentum going plans and with all the momentum going with him he raced North and beat linius with him he raced North and beat linius with him he raced North and beat linius to the to the to the punch in September 324 the Eastern punch in September 324 the Eastern punch in September 324 the Eastern Augustus arrived at copoulos and he Augustus arrived at copoulos and he Augustus arrived at copoulos and he found Constantine waiting for him here found Constantine waiting for him here found Constantine waiting for him here now would be their final now would be their final now would be their final battle Legend has it that at this point battle Legend has it that at this point battle Legend has it that at this point Constantine had gotten so far inside Constantine had gotten so far inside Constantine had gotten so far inside Linus's head that the Eastern Augustus Linus's head that the Eastern Augustus Linus's head that the Eastern Augustus had become convinced that the labarum had become convinced that the labarum had become convinced that the labarum really did have magical properties he really did have magical properties he really did have magical properties he ordered his men to avoid attacking ordered his men to avoid attacking ordered his men to avoid attacking whatever part of Constantine's Army whatever part of Constantine's Army whatever part of Constantine's Army carried the standard and then when even carried the standard and then when even carried the standard and then when even further ordering his men to not even further ordering his men to not even further ordering his men to not even look at the magical look at the magical look at the magical Talisman one gets the feeling that Talisman one gets the feeling that Talisman one gets the feeling that linius was at this point already

linius was at this point already linius was at this point already beaten but that being said the Battle of beaten but that being said the Battle of beaten but that being said the Battle of copoulos was not at all a foregone copoulos was not at all a foregone copoulos was not at all a foregone conclusion both Emperors were still conclusion both Emperors were still conclusion both Emperors were still excellent generals commanding huge excellent generals commanding huge excellent generals commanding huge veteran veteran veteran forces but as happened every time forces but as happened every time forces but as happened every time Constantine and Linus met in the field Constantine and Linus met in the field Constantine and Linus met in the field of battle eventually the tide turned of battle eventually the tide turned of battle eventually the tide turned against the Eastern against the Eastern against the Eastern Augustus Constantine had not even Augustus Constantine had not even Augustus Constantine had not even bothered with clever tactics and instead bothered with clever tactics and instead bothered with clever tactics and instead went straight for the jugular ordering a went straight for the jugular ordering a went straight for the jugular ordering a full frontal assault that decisively full frontal assault that decisively full frontal assault that decisively broke Linus's broke Linus's broke Linus's line but Linus and oh man are you as line but Linus and oh man are you as line but Linus and oh man are you as sick of hearing this as I am of saying sick of hearing this as I am of saying sick of hearing this as I am of saying it once again managed to slip away this it once again managed to slip away this it once again managed to slip away this time with a force of about 30,000 time with a force of about 30,000 time with a force of about 30,000 men he drove headlong for nicomedia and men he drove headlong for nicomedia and men he drove headlong for nicomedia and H up inside the city but when H up inside the city but when H up inside the city but when Constantine arrives shortly thereafter Constantine arrives shortly thereafter Constantine arrives shortly thereafter it appears that the fight had finally it appears that the fight had finally it appears that the fight had finally gone out of the Eastern gone out of the Eastern gone out of the Eastern Augustus using Constantia as a go Augustus using Constantia as a go Augustus using Constantia as a go between the the two Emperors came to between the the two Emperors came to between the the two Emperors came to terms linius and martinus were to terms linius and martinus were to terms linius and martinus were to surrender peacefully and Constantine surrender peacefully and Constantine surrender peacefully and Constantine giving in to his sisters begging agreed giving in to his sisters begging agreed giving in to his sisters begging agreed to let them to let them to let them live but that was the only concession he live but that was the only concession he live but that was the only concession he was going to make the empire was now was going to make the empire was now was going to make the empire was now Constantine's and constantines Constantine's and constantines Constantine's and constantines alone for the first time in more than 40 alone for the first time in more than 40 alone for the first time in more than 40 years Rome was ruled by a single years Rome was ruled by a single years Rome was ruled by a single man the nasty little epilogue to this man the nasty little epilogue to this man the nasty little epilogue to this story which I'll deal with now so we can story which I'll deal with now so we can story which I'll deal with now so we can get it out of the way is that despite

get it out of the way is that despite get it out of the way is that despite the solemn oath that he swore it does the solemn oath that he swore it does the solemn oath that he swore it does not look like Constantine had any not look like Constantine had any not look like Constantine had any interest in letting his defeated Rivals interest in letting his defeated Rivals interest in letting his defeated Rivals live initially it appeared that live initially it appeared that live initially it appeared that everything was above board as linius was everything was above board as linius was everything was above board as linius was taken to thessalonica and martinus to taken to thessalonica and martinus to taken to thessalonica and martinus to capid dohia where they were both capid dohia where they were both capid dohia where they were both supposed to live out the rest of their supposed to live out the rest of their supposed to live out the rest of their days under something like house days under something like house days under something like house arrest but after about a year arrest but after about a year arrest but after about a year Constantine would decide that no one Constantine would decide that no one Constantine would decide that no one would really care anymore what happened would really care anymore what happened would really care anymore what happened to his beaten Rivals and so he ordered to his beaten Rivals and so he ordered to his beaten Rivals and so he ordered the execution of both at least that's the execution of both at least that's the execution of both at least that's what everyone assumed he did they died what everyone assumed he did they died what everyone assumed he did they died under suspicious circumstances and under suspicious circumstances and under suspicious circumstances and rumors later swirled that linius had rumors later swirled that linius had rumors later swirled that linius had been involving himself in a plot to been involving himself in a plot to been involving himself in a plot to overthrow Constantine which frankly overthrow Constantine which frankly overthrow Constantine which frankly sounds an awful lot like the accusation sounds an awful lot like the accusation sounds an awful lot like the accusation that maximon was involved in a plot to that maximon was involved in a plot to that maximon was involved in a plot to overthrow Constantine and so most modern overthrow Constantine and so most modern overthrow Constantine and so most modern scholars believe that Constantine simply scholars believe that Constantine simply scholars believe that Constantine simply could not afford to let them live and so could not afford to let them live and so could not afford to let them live and so oath or no oath he did not let them oath or no oath he did not let them oath or no oath he did not let them live linius was about 60 years old and live linius was about 60 years old and live linius was about 60 years old and had managed to survive as Emperor for had managed to survive as Emperor for had managed to survive as Emperor for very turbulent 16 very turbulent 16 very turbulent 16 years Constantine also appears at this years Constantine also appears at this years Constantine also appears at this point to have ordered the execution of point to have ordered the execution of point to have ordered the execution of his nephew like kinas the younger now his nephew like kinas the younger now his nephew like kinas the younger now maybe 13 years old we can't have rival maybe 13 years old we can't have rival maybe 13 years old we can't have rival dynasties lying around now can dynasties lying around now can dynasties lying around now can we Constantine's sister Constantia was we Constantine's sister Constantia was we Constantine's sister Constantia was of course horrified but it was just of course horrified but it was just of course horrified but it was just business nothing personal when linius died the era of the

personal when linius died the era of the tetrarchy died with him Diocesan had tetrarchy died with him Diocesan had tetrarchy died with him Diocesan had done his best to establish a system that done his best to establish a system that done his best to establish a system that would end once and for all the would end once and for all the would end once and for all the persistent Civil Wars that had racked persistent Civil Wars that had racked persistent Civil Wars that had racked the empire in the 3rd century and the empire in the 3rd century and the empire in the 3rd century and instead he inadvertently had drawn up instead he inadvertently had drawn up instead he inadvertently had drawn up what amounted to a giant Civil War what amounted to a giant Civil War what amounted to a giant Civil War tournament bracket in the championship tournament bracket in the championship tournament bracket in the championship game Constantine finally had emerged game Constantine finally had emerged game Constantine finally had emerged Victorious next time we will get into Victorious next time we will get into Victorious next time we will get into the ram of ifications of his victory the ram of ifications of his victory the ram of ifications of his victory what would Constantine do now that he what would Constantine do now that he what would Constantine do now that he was the Undisputed ruler of the Empire it is a question that we'll have Empire it is a question that we'll have to wait two weeks though because as many to wait two weeks though because as many to wait two weeks though because as many of you know the history of Rome tours of you know the history of Rome tours of you know the history of Rome tours begin next Friday and thus I will have begin next Friday and thus I will have begin next Friday and thus I will have no time to work on new episodes for a no time to work on new episodes for a no time to work on new episodes for a while but fear not knowing full well while but fear not knowing full well while but fear not knowing full well that I would be taking this time off that I would be taking this time off that I would be taking this time off I've been working double time lately and I've been working double time lately and I've been working double time lately and have managed to get the next three have managed to get the next three have managed to get the next three episodes written and recorded and ready episodes written and recorded and ready episodes written and recorded and ready to go so in the interest of not just to go so in the interest of not just to go so in the interest of not just cutting you off for the next 6 weeks my cutting you off for the next 6 weeks my cutting you off for the next 6 weeks my plan is to remotely post an episode plan is to remotely post an episode plan is to remotely post an episode every other week while I'm gone so that every other week while I'm gone so that every other week while I'm gone so that means that there will be a new release means that there will be a new release means that there will be a new release on May 15 May 29 and June 12 after which on May 15 May 29 and June 12 after which on May 15 May 29 and June 12 after which we will resume a normal we will resume a normal we will resume a normal schedule I'll say up front that it's my schedule I'll say up front that it's my schedule I'll say up front that it's my intention to release the episodes on intention to release the episodes on intention to release the episodes on those dates but given that I have no those dates but given that I have no those dates but given that I have no real idea what my Internet situation real idea what my Internet situation real idea what my Internet situation will be like on any given day the actual will be like on any given day the actual will be like on any given day the actual posting time might fluctuate a bit but posting time might fluctuate a bit but posting time might fluctuate a bit but rest assured the episodes are done ready

rest assured the episodes are done ready rest assured the episodes are done ready for your listening pleasure and I will for your listening pleasure and I will for your listening pleasure and I will get them to you in a timely manner so get them to you in a timely manner so get them to you in a timely manner so live and inperson me will see you in live and inperson me will see you in live and inperson me will see you in about 6 weeks please be nice to about 6 weeks please be nice to about 6 weeks please be nice to pre-recorded me until I get back pre-recorded me until I get back pre-recorded me until I get back [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode episode episode 137 the Christian emperor in the Autumn of 324 ad the Roman Empire in the Autumn of 324 ad the Roman Empire awoke to discover that for the first awoke to discover that for the first awoke to discover that for the first time in 40 years the empire was ruled by time in 40 years the empire was ruled by time in 40 years the empire was ruled by a single a single a single man only the oldest members of the man only the oldest members of the man only the oldest members of the citizen body even had a memory of what citizen body even had a memory of what citizen body even had a memory of what that was like the rest of the population that was like the rest of the population that was like the rest of the population had grown up in the shadow of Diocesan had grown up in the shadow of Diocesan had grown up in the shadow of Diocesan tetrarchy with its multiple Emperors tetrarchy with its multiple Emperors tetrarchy with its multiple Emperors multiple capitals and multiple sometimes multiple capitals and multiple sometimes multiple capitals and multiple sometimes conflicting conflicting conflicting policies now everything every issue policies now everything every issue policies now everything every issue every decision every order was going to every decision every order was going to every decision every order was going to be funneled through a single be funneled through a single be funneled through a single man far from shying away from what was

man far from shying away from what was man far from shying away from what was for this generation at least an for this generation at least an for this generation at least an unprecedented load of unprecedented load of unprecedented load of responsibilities Constantine relished responsibilities Constantine relished responsibilities Constantine relished the opportunity he now had to reshape the opportunity he now had to reshape the opportunity he now had to reshape the empire in his own the empire in his own the empire in his own image like the greatest of the great image like the greatest of the great image like the greatest of the great Roman leaders who had preceded him Roman leaders who had preceded him Roman leaders who had preceded him Julius Caesar Augustus hadrien Diocesan Julius Caesar Augustus hadrien Diocesan Julius Caesar Augustus hadrien Diocesan Constantine came to Power full of ideas Constantine came to Power full of ideas Constantine came to Power full of ideas full of confidence and full of full of confidence and full of full of confidence and full of energy but more important than all of energy but more important than all of energy but more important than all of that Constantine came to power with the that Constantine came to power with the that Constantine came to power with the fervent belief that he was the fervent belief that he was the fervent belief that he was the instrument of the Christian God and it instrument of the Christian God and it instrument of the Christian God and it was now his duty to convert Rome to the was now his duty to convert Rome to the was now his duty to convert Rome to the one true one true one true religion though the Empire would not religion though the Empire would not religion though the Empire would not officially become Christian until the officially become Christian until the officially become Christian until the reign of theodosius it was right here in reign of theodosius it was right here in reign of theodosius it was right here in the months after the fall of linius that the months after the fall of linius that the months after the fall of linius that Constantine made that later switch just Constantine made that later switch just Constantine made that later switch just a matter of filing some paperwork the now sole Emperor's first order of the now sole Emperor's first order of business following his victory over business following his victory over business following his victory over Linus was to parse through his defeated Linus was to parse through his defeated Linus was to parse through his defeated Rivals innumerable laws edicts and Rivals innumerable laws edicts and Rivals innumerable laws edicts and commands to decide which ones would commands to decide which ones would commands to decide which ones would stand and which ones would be tossed stand and which ones would be tossed stand and which ones would be tossed out Constantine and his ministers plowed out Constantine and his ministers plowed out Constantine and his ministers plowed through everything Linus had done since through everything Linus had done since through everything Linus had done since taking over the east in 313 and did taking over the east in 313 and did taking over the east in 313 and did their best to cancel laws they their best to cancel laws they their best to cancel laws they considered unjust and let stand rulings considered unjust and let stand rulings considered unjust and let stand rulings they thought wise they thought wise they thought wise this was mostly done on a case-by Case this was mostly done on a case-by Case this was mostly done on a case-by Case basis but there was one big area where basis but there was one big area where basis but there was one big area where Constantine uniformly rejected Linus's

Constantine uniformly rejected Linus's Constantine uniformly rejected Linus's policy the status of policy the status of policy the status of Christianity just so he would not be Christianity just so he would not be Christianity just so he would not be misunderstood Constantine wrote an open misunderstood Constantine wrote an open misunderstood Constantine wrote an open letter to the people of the Eastern letter to the people of the Eastern letter to the people of the Eastern provinces announcing what his policy provinces announcing what his policy provinces announcing what his policy towards the Christians was going to towards the Christians was going to towards the Christians was going to be with no one around to challenge him be with no one around to challenge him be with no one around to challenge him Constantine could finally stop mincing Constantine could finally stop mincing Constantine could finally stop mincing words and he announced that Not only was words and he announced that Not only was words and he announced that Not only was Chris Christianity the one true religion Chris Christianity the one true religion Chris Christianity the one true religion but that as an institution the church but that as an institution the church but that as an institution the church was going to have the full backing of was going to have the full backing of was going to have the full backing of the Imperial government right away it became clear government right away it became clear that the emperor was not kidding that the emperor was not kidding that the emperor was not kidding around when Constantine and Linus were around when Constantine and Linus were around when Constantine and Linus were first enforcing the Edict of Milan and first enforcing the Edict of Milan and first enforcing the Edict of Milan and making sure that church property was making sure that church property was making sure that church property was returned to its rightful owners it returned to its rightful owners it returned to its rightful owners it became standard procedure to compensate became standard procedure to compensate became standard procedure to compensate families who had come into possession of families who had come into possession of families who had come into possession of the seized land or Goods the this was a the seized land or Goods the this was a the seized land or Goods the this was a practical measure designed to keep practical measure designed to keep practical measure designed to keep everyone happy the Christians got their everyone happy the Christians got their everyone happy the Christians got their stuff back and men who had bought the stuff back and men who had bought the stuff back and men who had bought the property got a refund a decent deal all property got a refund a decent deal all property got a refund a decent deal all around but in his letter to the east around but in his letter to the east around but in his letter to the east Constantine simply announced that as he Constantine simply announced that as he Constantine simply announced that as he was a benevolent man he would generously was a benevolent man he would generously was a benevolent man he would generously pardon any man who he found to be in pardon any man who he found to be in pardon any man who he found to be in possession of church property pardon not possession of church property pardon not possession of church property pardon not compensate pardon as if purchasing some compensate pardon as if purchasing some compensate pardon as if purchasing some bit of land legally at auction could now bit of land legally at auction could now bit of land legally at auction could now be considered a crime he's kidding about be considered a crime he's kidding about be considered a crime he's kidding about this this this right the revolution only went on from right the revolution only went on from right the revolution only went on from there in a stark rejection of nearly

there in a stark rejection of nearly there in a stark rejection of nearly three centuries of Imperial policy three centuries of Imperial policy three centuries of Imperial policy Constantine gave the Christians pride of Constantine gave the Christians pride of Constantine gave the Christians pride of place and it was suddenly the pagans who place and it was suddenly the pagans who place and it was suddenly the pagans who found themselves merely tolerated pagans found themselves merely tolerated pagans found themselves merely tolerated pagans who found themselves barred from holding who found themselves barred from holding who found themselves barred from holding public office and pagans who found their public office and pagans who found their public office and pagans who found their religious practice is banned religious practice is banned religious practice is banned outright that last bit was the most outright that last bit was the most outright that last bit was the most radical shift of all Constantine at the radical shift of all Constantine at the radical shift of all Constantine at the stroke of a pen turned his back on God stroke of a pen turned his back on God stroke of a pen turned his back on God knows how many Millennia of tradition knows how many Millennia of tradition knows how many Millennia of tradition and henceforth forbade divination and and henceforth forbade divination and and henceforth forbade divination and sacrific to the gods I don't think I sacrific to the gods I don't think I sacrific to the gods I don't think I have to tell you how big of a deal that have to tell you how big of a deal that have to tell you how big of a deal that was it is worth noting here however that was it is worth noting here however that was it is worth noting here however that Constantine despite this radical shift Constantine despite this radical shift Constantine despite this radical shift in religious policy was still a in religious policy was still a in religious policy was still a practical man for the moment all of this practical man for the moment all of this practical man for the moment all of this only applied to the east though though I only applied to the east though though I only applied to the east though though I have no doubt that if he thought he have no doubt that if he thought he have no doubt that if he thought he could have done it he would have buried could have done it he would have buried could have done it he would have buried the old Roman Pantheon right then and the old Roman Pantheon right then and the old Roman Pantheon right then and there but I think the emperor knew that there but I think the emperor knew that there but I think the emperor knew that there were only so many fronts upon there were only so many fronts upon there were only so many fronts upon which he could fight a war and stirring which he could fight a war and stirring which he could fight a war and stirring up a hornet's nest in the very up a hornet's nest in the very up a hornet's nest in the very conservative Senate of Rome right at conservative Senate of Rome right at conservative Senate of Rome right at that moment probably would have done that moment probably would have done that moment probably would have done more harm than more harm than more harm than good so rather than Banning the old good so rather than Banning the old good so rather than Banning the old Roman Cults the emperor simply quit Roman Cults the emperor simply quit Roman Cults the emperor simply quit funding them choosing instead to funding them choosing instead to funding them choosing instead to underwrite an empire-wide campaign of underwrite an empire-wide campaign of underwrite an empire-wide campaign of church building church building church building as the temples of the Eternal City fell as the temples of the Eternal City fell as the temples of the Eternal City fell into disrepair magnificent churches into disrepair magnificent churches into disrepair magnificent churches sprang up all over the place eventually sprang up all over the place eventually sprang up all over the place eventually this building program produced the

this building program produced the this building program produced the original St Peters constructed on the original St Peters constructed on the original St Peters constructed on the supposed site where Peter was crucified supposed site where Peter was crucified supposed site where Peter was crucified in in in Rome when the letter to the Eastern Rome when the letter to the Eastern Rome when the letter to the Eastern provinces was published the negative provinces was published the negative provinces was published the negative reaction was immediate but Constantine reaction was immediate but Constantine reaction was immediate but Constantine refused to back down he wrote a scathing refused to back down he wrote a scathing refused to back down he wrote a scathing rebuke of the false and demonic rebuke of the false and demonic rebuke of the false and demonic practices of his Pagan subjects and how practices of his Pagan subjects and how practices of his Pagan subjects and how Christianity being the only true Christianity being the only true Christianity being the only true religion must become the universal religion must become the universal religion must become the universal religion of the religion of the religion of the empire in attempting to convert a empire in attempting to convert a empire in attempting to convert a majority Pagan population to the majority Pagan population to the majority Pagan population to the minority Christian position it may seem minority Christian position it may seem minority Christian position it may seem as if Constantine was fighting an as if Constantine was fighting an as if Constantine was fighting an impossible impossible impossible battle but more than anything else in battle but more than anything else in battle but more than anything else in the Roman World Victory in battle was the Roman World Victory in battle was the Roman World Victory in battle was still the great still the great still the great legitimize were his victories not proof legitimize were his victories not proof legitimize were his victories not proof enough that the old gods were a lie and enough that the old gods were a lie and enough that the old gods were a lie and that the Christian God was the only true that the Christian God was the only true that the Christian God was the only true God Constantine's unbroken run of God Constantine's unbroken run of God Constantine's unbroken run of Battlefield success was a major argument Battlefield success was a major argument Battlefield success was a major argument in his favor and now that he defined the in his favor and now that he defined the in his favor and now that he defined the rules of the game the citizens of the rules of the game the citizens of the rules of the game the citizens of the Empire slowly began to fall into line Empire slowly began to fall into line Empire slowly began to fall into line ambitious men who wanted to climb the ambitious men who wanted to climb the ambitious men who wanted to climb the ladder began converting to ladder began converting to ladder began converting to Christianity soldiers who wanted special Christianity soldiers who wanted special Christianity soldiers who wanted special privileges began converting to privileges began converting to privileges began converting to Christianity an average citizens who Christianity an average citizens who Christianity an average citizens who just didn't want to run a foul of just didn't want to run a foul of just didn't want to run a foul of imperial agents began converting to imperial agents began converting to imperial agents began converting to Christianity through sheer force of will Christianity through sheer force of will Christianity through sheer force of will Constantine was converting the Roman Constantine was converting the Roman Constantine was converting the Roman Empire to

Christianity but of course right at this Christianity but of course right at this moment just as Constantine Was preparing moment just as Constantine Was preparing moment just as Constantine Was preparing to supplant the traditional Cults with to supplant the traditional Cults with to supplant the traditional Cults with the one true religion the adherence of the one true religion the adherence of the one true religion the adherence of that one true religion were locked in a that one true religion were locked in a that one true religion were locked in a mortal death struggle with themselves mortal death struggle with themselves mortal death struggle with themselves that threatened to undermine everything that threatened to undermine everything that threatened to undermine everything Constantine was trying to accomplish Constantine was trying to accomplish Constantine was trying to accomplish two weeks ago we introduced the donatist two weeks ago we introduced the donatist two weeks ago we introduced the donatist heresy which much to Constantine shagrin heresy which much to Constantine shagrin heresy which much to Constantine shagrin was still fracturing the church in North was still fracturing the church in North was still fracturing the church in North Africa this week we will introduce a Africa this week we will introduce a Africa this week we will introduce a heresy that will make the fight over heresy that will make the fight over heresy that will make the fight over donatism look like some gentle ribbing donatism look like some gentle ribbing donatism look like some gentle ribbing between friends a heresy that will between friends a heresy that will between friends a heresy that will divide the church not just for a divide the church not just for a divide the church not just for a generation but for hundreds of years to generation but for hundreds of years to generation but for hundreds of years to come the Aryan come the Aryan come the Aryan heresy the Aryan heresy takes its name heresy the Aryan heresy takes its name heresy the Aryan heresy takes its name name from an influential Egyptian priest name from an influential Egyptian priest name from an influential Egyptian priest named Aras who was born sometime in the named Aras who was born sometime in the named Aras who was born sometime in the 250s 250s 250s ad at some point though no one is really ad at some point though no one is really ad at some point though no one is really sure when Aras began preaching a very sure when Aras began preaching a very sure when Aras began preaching a very particular interpretation of how God the particular interpretation of how God the particular interpretation of how God the father and Christ the son were related father and Christ the son were related father and Christ the son were related an interpretation that some of his an interpretation that some of his an interpretation that some of his brothers in the clergy took serious brothers in the clergy took serious brothers in the clergy took serious offense offense offense to as with the donatist heresy I'm not to as with the donatist heresy I'm not to as with the donatist heresy I'm not going to delve too deeply into the issue going to delve too deeply into the issue going to delve too deeply into the issue because it pretty quickly gets pretty because it pretty quickly gets pretty because it pretty quickly gets pretty esoterical esoterical esoterical but the gist of the controversy was this but the gist of the controversy was this but the gist of the controversy was this Aras taught that since Christ was the Aras taught that since Christ was the Aras taught that since Christ was the begotten Son of God that there must have begotten Son of God that there must have begotten Son of God that there must have been a time when Christ was not been a time when Christ was not been a time when Christ was not therefore though both were divine the therefore though both were divine the therefore though both were divine the son was inferior to the

son was inferior to the son was inferior to the father this line of reasoning contrasted father this line of reasoning contrasted father this line of reasoning contrasted sharply with the beliefs of many in the sharply with the beliefs of many in the sharply with the beliefs of many in the church who belied that Father and Son church who belied that Father and Son church who belied that Father and Son were actually two aspects of the same were actually two aspects of the same were actually two aspects of the same Divine whole that they were co-s Divine whole that they were co-s Divine whole that they were co-s substantial literally of the same substantial literally of the same substantial literally of the same substance substance substance with neither one preceding or exceeding with neither one preceding or exceeding with neither one preceding or exceeding the the the other Alexander the conveniently named other Alexander the conveniently named other Alexander the conveniently named Bishop of Alexandria was initially Bishop of Alexandria was initially Bishop of Alexandria was initially hesitant to make a big deal out of hesitant to make a big deal out of hesitant to make a big deal out of aras's beliefs but it soon became clear aras's beliefs but it soon became clear aras's beliefs but it soon became clear that this seemingly minor point of that this seemingly minor point of that this seemingly minor point of philosophic disagreement was dividing philosophic disagreement was dividing philosophic disagreement was dividing the church in the church in the church in two Bishop Alexander was himself a co-s two Bishop Alexander was himself a co-s two Bishop Alexander was himself a co-s substantialist so when he finally waited substantialist so when he finally waited substantialist so when he finally waited into the controversy it was to condemn into the controversy it was to condemn into the controversy it was to condemn aryanism as aryanism as aryanism as heretical but the bud was too far grown heretical but the bud was too far grown heretical but the bud was too far grown to Simply Be nipped that easily aras's to Simply Be nipped that easily aras's to Simply Be nipped that easily aras's teachings had already spread across the teachings had already spread across the teachings had already spread across the East and wherever it took root local East and wherever it took root local East and wherever it took root local Christian communities became divided as Christian communities became divided as Christian communities became divided as the two sides fought for control of the two sides fought for control of the two sides fought for control of regional Bishop Ricks local churches and regional Bishop Ricks local churches and regional Bishop Ricks local churches and individual individual individual parishioners this rupture in the unity parishioners this rupture in the unity parishioners this rupture in the unity of the church just as Constantine was of the church just as Constantine was of the church just as Constantine was looking to make it the de facto State looking to make it the de facto State looking to make it the de facto State religion of the Empire really really religion of the Empire really really religion of the Empire really really annoyed the annoyed the annoyed the emperor but as with the donatus he was emperor but as with the donatus he was emperor but as with the donatus he was hesitant to get too involved in the hesitant to get too involved in the hesitant to get too involved in the dispute himself it was an argument over dispute himself it was an argument over dispute himself it was an argument over a trivial point of philosophy surely the a trivial point of philosophy surely the a trivial point of philosophy surely the matter could be settled without the matter could be settled without the matter could be settled without the emperor needing to get

emperor needing to get emperor needing to get involved instead Constantine dispatched involved instead Constantine dispatched involved instead Constantine dispatched the bishop osus to Egypt to end the the bishop osus to Egypt to end the the bishop osus to Egypt to end the controversy once and for controversy once and for controversy once and for all osus was an influential clergyman all osus was an influential clergyman all osus was an influential clergyman who had been at Constantine's Court who had been at Constantine's Court who had been at Constantine's Court since before or the Milan since before or the Milan since before or the Milan bridge to help give him an extra bit of bridge to help give him an extra bit of bridge to help give him an extra bit of authority the bishop carried with him a authority the bishop carried with him a authority the bishop carried with him a letter from Constantine that did not letter from Constantine that did not letter from Constantine that did not take a particular stance but did take a particular stance but did take a particular stance but did admonish both sides for making such a admonish both sides for making such a admonish both sides for making such a big deal out of such a little big deal out of such a little big deal out of such a little issue at least the donatist controversy issue at least the donatist controversy issue at least the donatist controversy dealt with real issues like betrayal and dealt with real issues like betrayal and dealt with real issues like betrayal and forgiveness but this Aryan controversy forgiveness but this Aryan controversy forgiveness but this Aryan controversy it was all abstract it was all abstract it was all abstract theology plus even in terms of abstract theology plus even in terms of abstract theology plus even in terms of abstract theology the two sides agreed on like 99 theology the two sides agreed on like 99 theology the two sides agreed on like 99 points out of 100 it was just this one points out of 100 it was just this one points out of 100 it was just this one little tiny insignificant matter that little tiny insignificant matter that little tiny insignificant matter that they they they disagreed how in the world could the disagreed how in the world could the disagreed how in the world could the clergy possibly have allowed it to clergy possibly have allowed it to clergy possibly have allowed it to explode into such a divisive explode into such a divisive explode into such a divisive issue but when osus got to Alexandria he issue but when osus got to Alexandria he issue but when osus got to Alexandria he failed to broker a deal he failed in failed to broker a deal he failed in failed to broker a deal he failed in part because the two sides were dug In part because the two sides were dug In part because the two sides were dug In Too Deep but he also failed in part Too Deep but he also failed in part Too Deep but he also failed in part because he did not really want to do because he did not really want to do because he did not really want to do what Constantine had sent him to what Constantine had sent him to what Constantine had sent him to do the emperor wanted everyone to kiss do the emperor wanted everyone to kiss do the emperor wanted everyone to kiss and make up and in Constantine's eyes and make up and in Constantine's eyes and make up and in Constantine's eyes that meant that any compromise was on that meant that any compromise was on that meant that any compromise was on the table so long as everyone agreed to the table so long as everyone agreed to the table so long as everyone agreed to it but it appears that osus was himself it but it appears that osus was himself it but it appears that osus was himself a staunch co-s substantialist who was a staunch co-s substantialist who was a staunch co-s substantialist who was not looking to compromise with the

not looking to compromise with the not looking to compromise with the Aryans so much as stamp them out for Aryans so much as stamp them out for Aryans so much as stamp them out for good but osus failed in his own mission good but osus failed in his own mission good but osus failed in his own mission as well and after riots broke out in as well and after riots broke out in as well and after riots broke out in Antioch over the election of a new Antioch over the election of a new Antioch over the election of a new bishop osus decided to convene a council bishop osus decided to convene a council bishop osus decided to convene a council of Eastern Bishops in the Anatolian city of Eastern Bishops in the Anatolian city of Eastern Bishops in the Anatolian city of ankyra to help bring an end to the of ankyra to help bring an end to the of ankyra to help bring an end to the argument his idea was that if the argument his idea was that if the argument his idea was that if the Christian establishment condemned the Christian establishment condemned the Christian establishment condemned the Aryans with one voice that they would Aryans with one voice that they would Aryans with one voice that they would finally give up the finally give up the finally give up the fight the council would be build as an fight the council would be build as an fight the council would be build as an open dialogue that would help the bishop open dialogue that would help the bishop open dialogue that would help the bishop Forge a compromise that all could agree Forge a compromise that all could agree Forge a compromise that all could agree to but osus had no intention of letting to but osus had no intention of letting to but osus had no intention of letting them not Forge the correct compromise if them not Forge the correct compromise if them not Forge the correct compromise if you know what I you know what I you know what I mean when he reported back to mean when he reported back to mean when he reported back to Constantine though the emperor decided Constantine though the emperor decided Constantine though the emperor decided that if a wider Council was going to be that if a wider Council was going to be that if a wider Council was going to be called to settle the matter that it may called to settle the matter that it may called to settle the matter that it may as well be a wider Council in fact let's as well be a wider Council in fact let's as well be a wider Council in fact let's make it the widest Council of all let's make it the widest Council of all let's make it the widest Council of all let's make it a global Council an ecumenical make it a global Council an ecumenical make it a global Council an ecumenical council the very first of its council the very first of its council the very first of its kind Constantine ordered the side of the kind Constantine ordered the side of the kind Constantine ordered the side of the council be moved to the port city of council be moved to the port city of council be moved to the port city of ncia and then invited all the Western ncia and then invited all the Western ncia and then invited all the Western Bishops to attend as Bishops to attend as Bishops to attend as well the new location would not only well the new location would not only well the new location would not only make it easier for the Bishops of the make it easier for the Bishops of the make it easier for the Bishops of the West to attend but it would also be West to attend but it would also be West to attend but it would also be close enough to nicomedia that close enough to nicomedia that close enough to nicomedia that Constantine himself could pop down and Constantine himself could pop down and Constantine himself could pop down and maybe see what he could do to establish maybe see what he could do to establish maybe see what he could do to establish the unity that he so the unity that he so the unity that he so craved plus it went without saying that craved plus it went without saying that craved plus it went without saying that the weather in niia would be much much

the weather in niia would be much much the weather in niia would be much much better though all 1800 or so Bishops in better though all 1800 or so Bishops in better though all 1800 or so Bishops in the empire were invited to the council the empire were invited to the council the empire were invited to the council only around 300 were able to attend the only around 300 were able to attend the only around 300 were able to attend the opening of what would in time be called opening of what would in time be called opening of what would in time be called the Council of NAA in May of the Council of NAA in May of the Council of NAA in May of 325 though it doesn't seem like a great 325 though it doesn't seem like a great 325 though it doesn't seem like a great turnout with each Bishop being allowed turnout with each Bishop being allowed turnout with each Bishop being allowed to bring along a few priests and deacons to bring along a few priests and deacons to bring along a few priests and deacons to act as AIDS the final list of to act as AIDS the final list of to act as AIDS the final list of attendees numbered in the thousands and attendees numbered in the thousands and attendees numbered in the thousands and those AIDS were not just there to go those AIDS were not just there to go those AIDS were not just there to go fetch coffee and take notes for a sleepy fetch coffee and take notes for a sleepy fetch coffee and take notes for a sleepy Bishop aside from the emperor probably Bishop aside from the emperor probably Bishop aside from the emperor probably the two most important attendees at the the two most important attendees at the the two most important attendees at the council were Arias himself who was a council were Arias himself who was a council were Arias himself who was a priest not a bishop and a young deacon priest not a bishop and a young deacon priest not a bishop and a young deacon named anius who was in the Entourage of named anius who was in the Entourage of named anius who was in the Entourage of Bishop Alexander of Bishop Alexander of Bishop Alexander of Alexandria a Hardline anti Aran anasias Alexandria a Hardline anti Aran anasias Alexandria a Hardline anti Aran anasias made sure the powerful Alexander didn't made sure the powerful Alexander didn't made sure the powerful Alexander didn't go all wishy-washy on him shortly after go all wishy-washy on him shortly after go all wishy-washy on him shortly after the counil the charismatic Theologian the counil the charismatic Theologian the counil the charismatic Theologian would succeed Alexander to the bishopi would succeed Alexander to the bishopi would succeed Alexander to the bishopi of Alexandria and become a hugely of Alexandria and become a hugely of Alexandria and become a hugely polarizing Force within the church polarizing Force within the church polarizing Force within the church Constantine as you can imagine was not Constantine as you can imagine was not Constantine as you can imagine was not the president of anos his fan club though the Catalyst for the council club though the Catalyst for the council was the Aryan controversy with so many was the Aryan controversy with so many was the Aryan controversy with so many Bishops convening in one place the Bishops convening in one place the Bishops convening in one place the church leadership at the prodding of church leadership at the prodding of church leadership at the prodding of Constantine took the opportunity to rule Constantine took the opportunity to rule Constantine took the opportunity to rule on a whole host of internal on a whole host of internal on a whole host of internal disagreements including when Easter disagreements including when Easter disagreements including when Easter ought to be properly celebrated what the

ought to be properly celebrated what the ought to be properly celebrated what the final status of those who had lapsed final status of those who had lapsed final status of those who had lapsed during the persecutions ought to be and during the persecutions ought to be and during the persecutions ought to be and what to do about the Malaysians a sect what to do about the Malaysians a sect what to do about the Malaysians a sect in the East who were seconding the ous in the East who were seconding the ous in the East who were seconding the ous stance of the stance of the stance of the donatus what Constantine wanted was for donatus what Constantine wanted was for donatus what Constantine wanted was for the Council of NAA to settle all schisms the Council of NAA to settle all schisms the Council of NAA to settle all schisms within the within the within the church as I've noted previously the church as I've noted previously the church as I've noted previously the emperor was not so much interested in emperor was not so much interested in emperor was not so much interested in which side was right or which which side was right or which which side was right or which interpretation was best so long as in interpretation was best so long as in interpretation was best so long as in the end everyone the end everyone the end everyone agreed what record we have of agreed what record we have of agreed what record we have of Constantine's role in the deliberations Constantine's role in the deliberations Constantine's role in the deliberations of the council show him repeatedly of the council show him repeatedly of the council show him repeatedly acting the part of Peacemaker reminding acting the part of Peacemaker reminding acting the part of Peacemaker reminding the Bishops over and over again that the Bishops over and over again that the Bishops over and over again that their agreements far outnumbered their their agreements far outnumbered their their agreements far outnumbered their disagreements and that the continued disagreements and that the continued disagreements and that the continued Unity of Christianity was of Paramount importance I don't really want to get importance I don't really want to get bogged down in everything the council bogged down in everything the council bogged down in everything the council dealt with but I do want to settle the dealt with but I do want to settle the dealt with but I do want to settle the Aran question as it was the main reason Aran question as it was the main reason Aran question as it was the main reason everyone was there to begin everyone was there to begin everyone was there to begin with the majority of the Bishops in with the majority of the Bishops in with the majority of the Bishops in attendance like the emperor himself had attendance like the emperor himself had attendance like the emperor himself had no strong position on the issue and were no strong position on the issue and were no strong position on the issue and were open to any formulation of the Father open to any formulation of the Father open to any formulation of the Father and Son relationship that would resolve and Son relationship that would resolve and Son relationship that would resolve the the the crisis the opponents of aryanism led by crisis the opponents of aryanism led by crisis the opponents of aryanism led by ocus and Alexander exploited this fact ocus and Alexander exploited this fact ocus and Alexander exploited this fact to the to the to the hilt they had agreed beforehand to frame hilt they had agreed beforehand to frame hilt they had agreed beforehand to frame the debate using particular wording that the debate using particular wording that the debate using particular wording that described the father and the son as described the father and the son as described the father and the son as being of the same substance which they being of the same substance which they being of the same substance which they knew would be unacceptable to Aras and

knew would be unacceptable to Aras and knew would be unacceptable to Aras and his his his followers the debate that unfolded over followers the debate that unfolded over followers the debate that unfolded over the course of the next month was a the course of the next month was a the course of the next month was a bitter one and at one point Aras was bitter one and at one point Aras was bitter one and at one point Aras was even struck in the face by a rival even struck in the face by a rival even struck in the face by a rival clergyman dismayed at the degree of clergyman dismayed at the degree of clergyman dismayed at the degree of vitriol on display a group of Bishops vitriol on display a group of Bishops vitriol on display a group of Bishops put forward a compromise Creed that put forward a compromise Creed that put forward a compromise Creed that described the Father and Son as being of described the Father and Son as being of described the Father and Son as being of similar substance but it was rejected by similar substance but it was rejected by similar substance but it was rejected by the hardliners in both camps more as a result of back room camps more as a result of back room politicking than persuasive public politicking than persuasive public politicking than persuasive public oratory the anti- Arians started to flip oratory the anti- Arians started to flip oratory the anti- Arians started to flip the delegates one by one until the delegates one by one until the delegates one by one until eventually the same substance eventually the same substance eventually the same substance formulation was accepted by a majority formulation was accepted by a majority formulation was accepted by a majority of the of the of the council once the majority had turned council once the majority had turned council once the majority had turned against them the moderate arens began to against them the moderate arens began to against them the moderate arens began to feel the heat and with the threat of feel the heat and with the threat of feel the heat and with the threat of excommunication and Exile hanging over excommunication and Exile hanging over excommunication and Exile hanging over their heads they too signed on to the their heads they too signed on to the their heads they too signed on to the same substance Creed in the end only two same substance Creed in the end only two same substance Creed in the end only two of the staunchest Aryan Bishops refused of the staunchest Aryan Bishops refused of the staunchest Aryan Bishops refused to to to sign the so-called nyine Creed was sign the so-called nyine Creed was sign the so-called nyine Creed was adopted by the council as Orthodoxy in adopted by the council as Orthodoxy in adopted by the council as Orthodoxy in June of June of June of 325 it stated that Jesus Christ was God 325 it stated that Jesus Christ was God 325 it stated that Jesus Christ was God from God light from light true God from from God light from light true God from from God light from light true God from true God begotten not made of the same true God begotten not made of the same true God begotten not made of the same substance as the father by whom all substance as the father by whom all substance as the father by whom all things were things were things were made opposition to this formulation was made opposition to this formulation was made opposition to this formulation was now considered heretical Aras just as now considered heretical Aras just as now considered heretical Aras just as osus and his allies had predicted

osus and his allies had predicted osus and his allies had predicted refused to accept the Creed's language refused to accept the Creed's language refused to accept the Creed's language and was exiled by Constantine to ayria and was exiled by Constantine to ayria and was exiled by Constantine to ayria far away from his power base in far away from his power base in far away from his power base in Egypt though the matter appeared to be Egypt though the matter appeared to be Egypt though the matter appeared to be settled for good neither Aras nor the settled for good neither Aras nor the settled for good neither Aras nor the Aryans were done just Aryans were done just Aryans were done just yet the council then moved on to its yet the council then moved on to its yet the council then moved on to its remaining business and made decisions on remaining business and made decisions on remaining business and made decisions on how to calculate the date of Easter what how to calculate the date of Easter what how to calculate the date of Easter what to do about the Malaysians they were to to do about the Malaysians they were to to do about the Malaysians they were to be treated leniently and what ought to be treated leniently and what ought to be treated leniently and what ought to be the church's final position on be the church's final position on be the church's final position on tratores they were to be accepted back tratores they were to be accepted back tratores they were to be accepted back without the need for without the need for without the need for rebaptism by the end of of the meeting rebaptism by the end of of the meeting rebaptism by the end of of the meeting in June of 325 the assembled Bishops in June of 325 the assembled Bishops in June of 325 the assembled Bishops ruled on at least 20 though possibly ruled on at least 20 though possibly ruled on at least 20 though possibly more points of canon law these included more points of canon law these included more points of canon law these included the recognition that the Bishops of Rome the recognition that the Bishops of Rome the recognition that the Bishops of Rome Alexandria and Antioch had a sort of Alexandria and Antioch had a sort of Alexandria and Antioch had a sort of super authority over and above normal super authority over and above normal super authority over and above normal Bishops a Prohibition on clergy engaging Bishops a Prohibition on clergy engaging Bishops a Prohibition on clergy engaging in Usery and a law against in Usery and a law against in Usery and a law against self-castration self-castration self-castration which yeah which yeah which yeah yikes all in all the Council of NAA did yikes all in all the Council of NAA did yikes all in all the Council of NAA did exactly what Constantine wanted while exactly what Constantine wanted while exactly what Constantine wanted while simultaneously failing to do what simultaneously failing to do what simultaneously failing to do what Constantine Constantine Constantine wanted the collection of Bishops had wanted the collection of Bishops had wanted the collection of Bishops had come together and successfully come together and successfully come together and successfully determined where to draw the line determined where to draw the line determined where to draw the line between Orthodoxy and heresy on a host between Orthodoxy and heresy on a host between Orthodoxy and heresy on a host of of of issues it had given the Christians a new issues it had given the Christians a new issues it had given the Christians a new sense of global Unity by moving the sense of global Unity by moving the sense of global Unity by moving the church away from the patchwork series of church away from the patchwork series of church away from the patchwork series of beliefs that varied from time to time

beliefs that varied from time to time beliefs that varied from time to time and from place to and from place to and from place to place but if he was hoping the place but if he was hoping the place but if he was hoping the establishment of this new Orthodoxy was establishment of this new Orthodoxy was establishment of this new Orthodoxy was going to actually end the arguments going to actually end the arguments going to actually end the arguments between the Christians that men declared between the Christians that men declared between the Christians that men declared heretical were just going to lay down heretical were just going to lay down heretical were just going to lay down their beliefs and give up the fight then their beliefs and give up the fight then their beliefs and give up the fight then Constantine was in for a rude Constantine was in for a rude Constantine was in for a rude awakening far from putting these matters awakening far from putting these matters awakening far from putting these matters to bed the Council of NAA simply wound to bed the Council of NAA simply wound to bed the Council of NAA simply wound up codifying the position of one side of up codifying the position of one side of up codifying the position of one side of the argument Constantine just did not grasp argument Constantine just did not grasp that the religion he had adopted had that the religion he had adopted had that the religion he had adopted had never actually been unified it it never actually been unified it it never actually been unified it it appeared to be one monolithic Force when appeared to be one monolithic Force when appeared to be one monolithic Force when it was set against the dominant Greco it was set against the dominant Greco it was set against the dominant Greco Roman culture but once you actually got Roman culture but once you actually got Roman culture but once you actually got into it it turned out that Christian into it it turned out that Christian into it it turned out that Christian belief was almost as varied as Pagan belief was almost as varied as Pagan belief was almost as varied as Pagan belief the Council of NAA was not going belief the Council of NAA was not going belief the Council of NAA was not going to stop Aras from preaching what he to stop Aras from preaching what he to stop Aras from preaching what he believed to be true it was not just a believed to be true it was not just a believed to be true it was not just a matter of life and death for him but a matter of life and death for him but a matter of life and death for him but a matter of Eternal matter of Eternal matter of Eternal salvation the donatists the Malaysians salvation the donatists the Malaysians salvation the donatists the Malaysians and all the other minor heresies would and all the other minor heresies would and all the other minor heresies would eventually be stamped out but the the eventually be stamped out but the the eventually be stamped out but the the proclamation of a bunch of Bishops proclamation of a bunch of Bishops proclamation of a bunch of Bishops meeting on the coast of the aan sea was meeting on the coast of the aan sea was meeting on the coast of the aan sea was not going to do the job on its not going to do the job on its not going to do the job on its own but as the council wrapped up own but as the council wrapped up own but as the council wrapped up Constantine had a pretty good feeling Constantine had a pretty good feeling Constantine had a pretty good feeling about things and believed that his about things and believed that his about things and believed that his vision of one Emperor ruling one Empire vision of one Emperor ruling one Empire vision of one Emperor ruling one Empire and one Church serving one God was close and one Church serving one God was close and one Church serving one God was close at hand next time we will delve into more

hand next time we will delve into more worldly matters and discuss what worldly matters and discuss what worldly matters and discuss what Constantine was up to when he wasn't Constantine was up to when he wasn't Constantine was up to when he wasn't promoting and defending promoting and defending promoting and defending Christianity there were after all still Christianity there were after all still Christianity there were after all still Wars to be fought and a government to Wars to be fought and a government to Wars to be fought and a government to run so it's not like Constantine could run so it's not like Constantine could run so it's not like Constantine could just ho up in church councils all the just ho up in church councils all the just ho up in church councils all the time and debate the finer points of time and debate the finer points of time and debate the finer points of theology plus there was a certain city theology plus there was a certain city theology plus there was a certain city that needed building that needed building that needed building [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 138 the new Rome Rome episode 138 the new Rome Rome episode 138 the new Rome [Music] [Music] [Music] so last time we focused exclusively on so last time we focused exclusively on so last time we focused exclusively on Constantine's relationship with and Constantine's relationship with and Constantine's relationship with and promotion of promotion of promotion of Christianity obviously the emperor's Christianity obviously the emperor's Christianity obviously the emperor's push to convert the empire was a hugely push to convert the empire was a hugely push to convert the empire was a hugely important step in the development of the important step in the development of the important step in the development of the western world but it was by no means the western world but it was by no means the western world but it was by no means the only thing he was up to in the years only thing he was up to in the years only thing he was up to in the years after he became sole ruler of the Roman after he became sole ruler of the Roman after he became sole ruler of the Roman Empire there were still Wars to be Empire there were still Wars to be Empire there were still Wars to be fought a government to be run and oh

fought a government to be run and oh fought a government to be run and oh yeah a whole new Rome to yeah a whole new Rome to yeah a whole new Rome to build so today I want to dive into all build so today I want to dive into all build so today I want to dive into all the not overtly Christian aspects of the not overtly Christian aspects of the not overtly Christian aspects of Constantine's Reign I say not overtly Constantine's Reign I say not overtly Constantine's Reign I say not overtly Christian because the emperor's religion Christian because the emperor's religion Christian because the emperor's religion was so tangled up in everything that he was so tangled up in everything that he was so tangled up in everything that he did that you can't just separate it out did that you can't just separate it out did that you can't just separate it out and say this stuff has to do with and say this stuff has to do with and say this stuff has to do with Christianity and this stuff doesn't even Christianity and this stuff doesn't even Christianity and this stuff doesn't even something as basic as the construction something as basic as the construction something as basic as the construction of Constantinople which was a project of Constantinople which was a project of Constantinople which was a project undertaken first and foremost for undertaken first and foremost for undertaken first and foremost for strategic and political reasons winds up strategic and political reasons winds up strategic and political reasons winds up taking on a heavy Christian Dimension taking on a heavy Christian Dimension taking on a heavy Christian Dimension it's inescapable that was just the it's inescapable that was just the it's inescapable that was just the nature of the man they didn't wind up nature of the man they didn't wind up nature of the man they didn't wind up calling him the equal of the Apostles calling him the equal of the Apostles calling him the equal of the Apostles for for for nothing speaking of Constantinople we nothing speaking of Constantinople we nothing speaking of Constantinople we might as well start there because might as well start there because might as well start there because Constantine broke ground on his new Constantine broke ground on his new Constantine broke ground on his new capital practically the morning after he capital practically the morning after he capital practically the morning after he defeated Linus in September of 324 defeated Linus in September of 324 defeated Linus in September of 324 ad the repid with which he moved to ad the repid with which he moved to ad the repid with which he moved to transform the ancient city of Byzantium transform the ancient city of Byzantium transform the ancient city of Byzantium into the new city of Constantinople into the new city of Constantinople into the new city of Constantinople speaks to how much thought Constantine speaks to how much thought Constantine speaks to how much thought Constantine had given the project prior to his had given the project prior to his had given the project prior to his victory over victory over victory over linius so the questions we must askar linius so the questions we must askar linius so the questions we must askar why did Constantine feel like he needed why did Constantine feel like he needed why did Constantine feel like he needed a new capital and why did he choose a new capital and why did he choose a new capital and why did he choose Byzantium for his Imperial makeover as you know Rome itself had makeover as you know Rome itself had ceased to be the political and Military ceased to be the political and Military ceased to be the political and Military capital of the Roman Empire a long time capital of the Roman Empire a long time capital of the Roman Empire a long time ago round about 260 the Emperors had

ago round about 260 the Emperors had ago round about 260 the Emperors had moved decisively away from the Eternal moved decisively away from the Eternal moved decisively away from the Eternal City to more strategically sound City to more strategically sound City to more strategically sound locations across the Empire and in the locations across the Empire and in the locations across the Empire and in the 65 years or so since gallen's first set 65 years or so since gallen's first set 65 years or so since gallen's first set up shop in Milan multiple cities had up shop in Milan multiple cities had up shop in Milan multiple cities had wound up serving as Imperial capitals at wound up serving as Imperial capitals at wound up serving as Imperial capitals at one point or another Trier along the one point or another Trier along the one point or another Trier along the rine Milan in Italy serium along the rine Milan in Italy serium along the rine Milan in Italy serium along the danu nicomedia at the crossroads between danu nicomedia at the crossroads between danu nicomedia at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and Antioch in the Far Europe and Asia and Antioch in the Far Europe and Asia and Antioch in the Far East but as Constantine surveyed the East but as Constantine surveyed the East but as Constantine surveyed the military and political situation of the military and political situation of the military and political situation of the Empire following his victory at copoulos Empire following his victory at copoulos Empire following his victory at copoulos no one of these cities really satisfied no one of these cities really satisfied no one of these cities really satisfied his vision for what a true imperial his vision for what a true imperial his vision for what a true imperial capital should capital should capital should be they all had their merits as Regional be they all had their merits as Regional be they all had their merits as Regional capitals but if it was really going to capitals but if it was really going to capitals but if it was really going to be one Emperor ruling one Empire then be one Emperor ruling one Empire then be one Emperor ruling one Empire then one Capital was called one Capital was called one Capital was called for Constantine needed a city that was for Constantine needed a city that was for Constantine needed a city that was centrally located easily defensible centrally located easily defensible centrally located easily defensible situated on the sea with a good Harbor situated on the sea with a good Harbor situated on the sea with a good Harbor and had easy access to the danu frontier and had easy access to the danu frontier and had easy access to the danu frontier which everyone understood to be the most which everyone understood to be the most which everyone understood to be the most volatile in the volatile in the volatile in the Empire of the existing capitals Empire of the existing capitals Empire of the existing capitals nicomedia was the most obvious candidate nicomedia was the most obvious candidate nicomedia was the most obvious candidate to become Constantine's headquarters and to become Constantine's headquarters and to become Constantine's headquarters and by that point it was already recognized by that point it was already recognized by that point it was already recognized as being one of the preeminent cities of as being one of the preeminent cities of as being one of the preeminent cities of the Empire but the emperor didn't really the Empire but the emperor didn't really the Empire but the emperor didn't really like that it was located on the east like that it was located on the east like that it was located on the east side of the Bosphorus and while he found side of the Bosphorus and while he found side of the Bosphorus and while he found the city's defenses adequate nicomedia the city's defenses adequate nicomedia the city's defenses adequate nicomedia did not necessarily scream I am immune did not necessarily scream I am immune did not necessarily scream I am immune to

to to Siege but over the course of his two Siege but over the course of his two Siege but over the course of his two Wars with like kenas the Constantine had Wars with like kenas the Constantine had Wars with like kenas the Constantine had become aware of a city that if upgraded become aware of a city that if upgraded become aware of a city that if upgraded properly would fit all his conditions properly would fit all his conditions properly would fit all his conditions for a great capital for a great capital for a great capital banum located right on the West Bank of banum located right on the West Bank of banum located right on the West Bank of the Southern entrance of the Bosphorus the Southern entrance of the Bosphorus the Southern entrance of the Bosphorus banum had a fabulous natural Harbor banum had a fabulous natural Harbor banum had a fabulous natural Harbor which meant Supply and trade would be no which meant Supply and trade would be no which meant Supply and trade would be no problem it was also located right smack problem it was also located right smack problem it was also located right smack dab at the crossroads between East and dab at the crossroads between East and dab at the crossroads between East and West which would not only allow the West which would not only allow the West which would not only allow the emperor to quickly move to trouble spots emperor to quickly move to trouble spots emperor to quickly move to trouble spots but it would also keep communication but it would also keep communication but it would also keep communication lines relatively short meaning that lines relatively short meaning that lines relatively short meaning that Constantine would become aware of Constantine would become aware of Constantine would become aware of trouble spots that much trouble spots that much trouble spots that much quicker but the cou d' gr was that the quicker but the cou d' gr was that the quicker but the cou d' gr was that the ancient Greek city was surrounded on ancient Greek city was surrounded on ancient Greek city was surrounded on three sides by water this meant that a three sides by water this meant that a three sides by water this meant that a hostile land Army could approach from hostile land Army could approach from hostile land Army could approach from One Direction and One Direction only and One Direction and One Direction only and One Direction and One Direction only and if you were to say build a massive wall if you were to say build a massive wall if you were to say build a massive wall covering that flank the city would be covering that flank the city would be covering that flank the city would be impregnable and while the Hostile Army impregnable and while the Hostile Army impregnable and while the Hostile Army banged their heads against that wall the banged their heads against that wall the banged their heads against that wall the residents of the city could sit tight residents of the city could sit tight residents of the city could sit tight and enjoy the benefits of infinite and enjoy the benefits of infinite and enjoy the benefits of infinite resupply by sea Constantine looked at resupply by sea Constantine looked at resupply by sea Constantine looked at Byzantium and it screamed at him I am Byzantium and it screamed at him I am Byzantium and it screamed at him I am immune to Siege as with everything else he did Siege as with everything else he did though there was a religious rationale though there was a religious rationale though there was a religious rationale for building a new capital to go along for building a new capital to go along for building a new capital to go along with the obvious military and political with the obvious military and political with the obvious military and political rationals by basically building a brand rationals by basically building a brand rationals by basically building a brand new city from the ground up Constantine new city from the ground up Constantine new city from the ground up Constantine ensured that he would not have to deal ensured that he would not have to deal ensured that he would not have to deal with any push back from entrenched

with any push back from entrenched with any push back from entrenched religious interests when he revealed the religious interests when he revealed the religious interests when he revealed the fact that his new capital was going to fact that his new capital was going to fact that his new capital was going to be an exclusively Christian be an exclusively Christian be an exclusively Christian Capital the major cities of the Empire Capital the major cities of the Empire Capital the major cities of the Empire by virtue of being the major cities of by virtue of being the major cities of by virtue of being the major cities of the Empire hosted all of the most the Empire hosted all of the most the Empire hosted all of the most important Cults and temples of the important Cults and temples of the important Cults and temples of the Empire Byzantium being a relatively Empire Byzantium being a relatively Empire Byzantium being a relatively minor City up until this point was not minor City up until this point was not minor City up until this point was not saddled with that kind of pagan saddled with that kind of pagan saddled with that kind of pagan baggage though the story would not take baggage though the story would not take baggage though the story would not take root for at least a generation it was root for at least a generation it was root for at least a generation it was widely believed in the Byzantine age widely believed in the Byzantine age widely believed in the Byzantine age that the Christian character of the city that the Christian character of the city that the Christian character of the city was set from the start and that it was was set from the start and that it was was set from the start and that it was an archangel visible only to Constantine an archangel visible only to Constantine an archangel visible only to Constantine who told the emperor where to set the who told the emperor where to set the who told the emperor where to set the boundaries of the new city in November of 324 and just a month city in November of 324 and just a month after his victory over lyus Constantine after his victory over lyus Constantine after his victory over lyus Constantine made the short trip from nicomedia to made the short trip from nicomedia to made the short trip from nicomedia to Byzantium and began eagerly marking up Byzantium and began eagerly marking up Byzantium and began eagerly marking up the layout possibly with the help of the layout possibly with the help of the layout possibly with the help of invisible Archangel for what he grandly invisible Archangel for what he grandly invisible Archangel for what he grandly declared would be the alterar Roma the declared would be the alterar Roma the declared would be the alterar Roma the new or second new or second new or second Rome the name Constantinople which meant Rome the name Constantinople which meant Rome the name Constantinople which meant literally the city of Constantine was at literally the city of Constantine was at literally the city of Constantine was at first only an informal nickname for the first only an informal nickname for the first only an informal nickname for the emperor's pet project but within a few emperor's pet project but within a few emperor's pet project but within a few years The Unofficial name stuck and it years The Unofficial name stuck and it years The Unofficial name stuck and it would remain stuck for more than a would remain stuck for more than a would remain stuck for more than a thousand thousand thousand years Constantine planned for the city years Constantine planned for the city years Constantine planned for the city to be the greatest in the Empire and to be the greatest in the Empire and to be the greatest in the Empire and laid the boundaries and the grid lines laid the boundaries and the grid lines laid the boundaries and the grid lines accordingly but Byzantium by no means accordingly but Byzantium by no means accordingly but Byzantium by no means became Constantinople overnight

became Constantinople overnight became Constantinople overnight at this point in history Rome was a city at this point in history Rome was a city at this point in history Rome was a city of maybe a million people the other big of maybe a million people the other big of maybe a million people the other big cities of the Empire Alexandria and cities of the Empire Alexandria and cities of the Empire Alexandria and Antioch and nicomedia were filled with Antioch and nicomedia were filled with Antioch and nicomedia were filled with populations in the hundreds of thousands populations in the hundreds of thousands populations in the hundreds of thousands when Constantine began to transform when Constantine began to transform when Constantine began to transform Byzantium though it was a city of tens Byzantium though it was a city of tens Byzantium though it was a city of tens of thousands in other words it had a lot of thousands in other words it had a lot of thousands in other words it had a lot of growing up to do if it was really of growing up to do if it was really of growing up to do if it was really going to compete with the big boys in a way the early days of the new boys in a way the early days of the new Rome parallel the early days of the old Rome parallel the early days of the old Rome parallel the early days of the old realm you'll recall from way back in realm you'll recall from way back in realm you'll recall from way back in episode 2 that the first generation of episode 2 that the first generation of episode 2 that the first generation of Romans were a mly bunch in an effort to Romans were a mly bunch in an effort to Romans were a mly bunch in an effort to populate his City quickly Romulus had populate his City quickly Romulus had populate his City quickly Romulus had thrown the doors open to anyone who thrown the doors open to anyone who thrown the doors open to anyone who happened by Beggars thieves Mal contents happened by Beggars thieves Mal contents happened by Beggars thieves Mal contents Exiles basically the castoffs of Exiles basically the castoffs of Exiles basically the castoffs of civilized civilized civilized society as Byzantium transformed into society as Byzantium transformed into society as Byzantium transformed into Constantinople this new realm followed a Constantinople this new realm followed a Constantinople this new realm followed a similar pattern similar pattern similar pattern the emperor put out the word that he was the emperor put out the word that he was the emperor put out the word that he was looking for men and women and families looking for men and women and families looking for men and women and families to come fill up his new capital but the to come fill up his new capital but the to come fill up his new capital but the respectable citizens of the empire were respectable citizens of the empire were respectable citizens of the empire were respectable because they had a good respectable because they had a good respectable because they had a good thing going right where they were so the thing going right where they were so the thing going right where they were so the citizens who initially heeded citizens who initially heeded citizens who initially heeded Constantine's call were the struggling Constantine's call were the struggling Constantine's call were the struggling the failed and the disliked from across the failed and the disliked from across the failed and the disliked from across the Empire who were desperate for a the Empire who were desperate for a the Empire who were desperate for a fresh fresh fresh start this group was augmented by the start this group was augmented by the start this group was augmented by the greedy the ambitious and the ruthless greedy the ambitious and the ruthless greedy the ambitious and the ruthless who saw in Constantine City an who saw in Constantine City an who saw in Constantine City an opportunity to get in on the ground

opportunity to get in on the ground opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something really big and make a floor of something really big and make a floor of something really big and make a killing in the killing in the killing in the process I think it safe to say that you process I think it safe to say that you process I think it safe to say that you would not want to invite would not want to invite would not want to invite constantinople's first generation of constantinople's first generation of constantinople's first generation of citizens to dinner as we saw last time after dinner as we saw last time after initiating the process of transforming initiating the process of transforming initiating the process of transforming bizantium into Constantinople a process bizantium into Constantinople a process bizantium into Constantinople a process that would take just 6 years Constantine that would take just 6 years Constantine that would take just 6 years Constantine turned his attention most especially to turned his attention most especially to turned his attention most especially to establishing Unity Within the Christian establishing Unity Within the Christian establishing Unity Within the Christian church when the Council of NAA wrapped church when the Council of NAA wrapped church when the Council of NAA wrapped up its business though he invited the up its business though he invited the up its business though he invited the Bishops up to nicomedia to help him Bishops up to nicomedia to help him Bishops up to nicomedia to help him inaugurate his 20th year on the throne inaugurate his 20th year on the throne inaugurate his 20th year on the throne backdating his rule to the death of his backdating his rule to the death of his backdating his rule to the death of his father of father of father of course antoninus Pious had been the last course antoninus Pious had been the last course antoninus Pious had been the last emperor to serve for more than 20 years emperor to serve for more than 20 years emperor to serve for more than 20 years and at just 53 years old and with his and at just 53 years old and with his and at just 53 years old and with his health never an issue Constantine looked health never an issue Constantine looked health never an issue Constantine looked poised to set a new standard for poised to set a new standard for poised to set a new standard for longevity though in the end he will only longevity though in the end he will only longevity though in the end he will only be Soul ruler for about 12 years when be Soul ruler for about 12 years when be Soul ruler for about 12 years when Constantine died in 337 his 31-year Constantine died in 337 his 31-year Constantine died in 337 his 31-year tenure in the purple will rank him tenure in the purple will rank him tenure in the purple will rank him second only to the Divine Augustus on second only to the Divine Augustus on second only to the Divine Augustus on the alltime list and speaking of Augustus after list and speaking of Augustus after celebrating his anniversary Constantine celebrating his anniversary Constantine celebrating his anniversary Constantine made his way over to aquala in the made his way over to aquala in the made his way over to aquala in the spring of spring of spring of 326 and it was here that he decided to 326 and it was here that he decided to 326 and it was here that he decided to follow in the footsteps of that first follow in the footsteps of that first follow in the footsteps of that first and greatest of Roman and greatest of Roman and greatest of Roman emperors unfortunately the footsteps he emperors unfortunately the footsteps he emperors unfortunately the footsteps he decided to follow were the ones that decided to follow were the ones that decided to follow were the ones that contemporaries and historians alike

contemporaries and historians alike contemporaries and historians alike agree were the biggest missteps of agree were the biggest missteps of agree were the biggest missteps of augustus's augustus's augustus's career first up you remember the career first up you remember the career first up you remember the ill-fated and overly cruel Lex Julia ill-fated and overly cruel Lex Julia ill-fated and overly cruel Lex Julia that sought to legislate sexual morality that sought to legislate sexual morality that sought to legislate sexual morality and failed miserably yeah we're back to and failed miserably yeah we're back to and failed miserably yeah we're back to that second up you remember how Augustus that second up you remember how Augustus that second up you remember how Augustus lashed out at Wayward members of his lashed out at Wayward members of his lashed out at Wayward members of his family by exiling them well Constantine family by exiling them well Constantine family by exiling them well Constantine is about to outdo the emperor in is about to outdo the emperor in is about to outdo the emperor in cold-hearted brutality because where cold-hearted brutality because where cold-hearted brutality because where Augustus merely exiled members of his Augustus merely exiled members of his Augustus merely exiled members of his family Constantine is about to kill them family Constantine is about to kill them family Constantine is about to kill them dead Constantine's morality laws dead Constantine's morality laws dead Constantine's morality laws followed the Augustine precedent in that followed the Augustine precedent in that followed the Augustine precedent in that they established an idealized model of they established an idealized model of they established an idealized model of family life and then rigidly demanded family life and then rigidly demanded family life and then rigidly demanded adherence to the model with Draconian adherence to the model with Draconian adherence to the model with Draconian punishments doled out to the punishments doled out to the punishments doled out to the Wayward the only difference really was Wayward the only difference really was Wayward the only difference really was that Constantine's laws came down that Constantine's laws came down that Constantine's laws came down particularly hard on women especially on particularly hard on women especially on particularly hard on women especially on the issue of premarital virginity the issue of premarital virginity the issue of premarital virginity and were rationalized with appeals to and were rationalized with appeals to and were rationalized with appeals to Christian scripture rather than appeals Christian scripture rather than appeals Christian scripture rather than appeals to traditional Roman to traditional Roman to traditional Roman virtue as with the Augustine attempt to virtue as with the Augustine attempt to virtue as with the Augustine attempt to scare everyone straight though scare everyone straight though scare everyone straight though Constantine's morality laws wound up Constantine's morality laws wound up Constantine's morality laws wound up inflicting punishments on a few inflicting punishments on a few inflicting punishments on a few Unfortunate Souls far in excess of their Unfortunate Souls far in excess of their Unfortunate Souls far in excess of their crimes pouring molten lead down the crimes pouring molten lead down the crimes pouring molten lead down the throat of a servant who AIDS a couple in throat of a servant who AIDS a couple in throat of a servant who AIDS a couple in a loping a loping a loping really well ultimately having very really well ultimately having very really well ultimately having very little impact on how people actually little impact on how people actually little impact on how people actually live their lives it was while he was in Italy in

lives it was while he was in Italy in 326 that Constantine then took his 326 that Constantine then took his 326 that Constantine then took his second ceue from Augustus and deciding second ceue from Augustus and deciding second ceue from Augustus and deciding to do the old boy one better wound up to do the old boy one better wound up to do the old boy one better wound up committing one of the more heinous committing one of the more heinous committing one of the more heinous crimes you can possibly commit he crimes you can possibly commit he crimes you can possibly commit he ordered his eldest son Crispus seized ordered his eldest son Crispus seized ordered his eldest son Crispus seized and executed no one knows exactly why executed no one knows exactly why Constantine suddenly turned on his son Constantine suddenly turned on his son Constantine suddenly turned on his son that is what specifically Crispus was that is what specifically Crispus was that is what specifically Crispus was supposed to have done but there is near supposed to have done but there is near supposed to have done but there is near Universal agreement that the emperor's Universal agreement that the emperor's Universal agreement that the emperor's wife fosta was behind it wife fosta was behind it wife fosta was behind it all some people claim fosta attempted to all some people claim fosta attempted to all some people claim fosta attempted to seduce chrispus and was rejected others seduce chrispus and was rejected others seduce chrispus and was rejected others claim Crispus raped his stepmother in a claim Crispus raped his stepmother in a claim Crispus raped his stepmother in a fit of passion though this accusation fit of passion though this accusation fit of passion though this accusation can almost certainly be dismissed While can almost certainly be dismissed While can almost certainly be dismissed While others simply roll with the old familiar others simply roll with the old familiar others simply roll with the old familiar tale of a stepmother looking to get rid tale of a stepmother looking to get rid tale of a stepmother looking to get rid of a stepson so that her own children of a stepson so that her own children of a stepson so that her own children can Ascend to the can Ascend to the can Ascend to the throne whatever the reason she allegedly throne whatever the reason she allegedly throne whatever the reason she allegedly framed or set up Crispus the frame up or framed or set up Crispus the frame up or framed or set up Crispus the frame up or setup job was effective and the emperor setup job was effective and the emperor setup job was effective and the emperor convinced of something ordered his boy convinced of something ordered his boy convinced of something ordered his boy executed there is a centuries old rumor executed there is a centuries old rumor executed there is a centuries old rumor that Crispus fell victim to that Crispus fell victim to that Crispus fell victim to Constantine's new morality laws but a Constantine's new morality laws but a Constantine's new morality laws but a far more likely guess is that Crispus far more likely guess is that Crispus far more likely guess is that Crispus was implicated in a plot to overthrow was implicated in a plot to overthrow was implicated in a plot to overthrow his father we have no way of knowing his father we have no way of knowing his father we have no way of knowing that the charges were true and certainly that the charges were true and certainly that the charges were true and certainly Nothing in crisp's life or career even Nothing in crisp's life or career even Nothing in crisp's life or career even hint that he planned to turn on his hint that he planned to turn on his hint that he planned to turn on his father but as that great military father but as that great military father but as that great military philosopher Saul Tai once said philosopher Saul Tai once said philosopher Saul Tai once said no one is a traitor until they are so no one is a traitor until they are so no one is a traitor until they are so who

who who knows the consensus though is that knows the consensus though is that knows the consensus though is that Crispus was framed and most likely Crispus was framed and most likely Crispus was framed and most likely framed by framed by framed by fosta certainly what happens next does fosta certainly what happens next does fosta certainly what happens next does not bode well for her historical not bode well for her historical not bode well for her historical reputation after chrispus was executed reputation after chrispus was executed reputation after chrispus was executed the Imperial Court moved down to Rome or the Imperial Court moved down to Rome or the Imperial Court moved down to Rome or it was joined by Constantine's mother it was joined by Constantine's mother it was joined by Constantine's mother Helena who had been living in the city Helena who had been living in the city Helena who had been living in the city since her son's victory at the milvian since her son's victory at the milvian since her son's victory at the milvian bridge shortly after the emperor's bridge shortly after the emperor's bridge shortly after the emperor's arrival Helena appears to have met arrival Helena appears to have met arrival Helena appears to have met privately with Constantine to discuss privately with Constantine to discuss privately with Constantine to discuss the circumstances of her grandson's the circumstances of her grandson's the circumstances of her grandson's death we don't know exactly what proof death we don't know exactly what proof death we don't know exactly what proof she presented to Constantine but it she presented to Constantine but it she presented to Constantine but it apparently convinced him that his lovely apparently convinced him that his lovely apparently convinced him that his lovely wife had just tricked him into murdering wife had just tricked him into murdering wife had just tricked him into murdering his own son because straight away he had his own son because straight away he had his own son because straight away he had fosta seized and put under fosta seized and put under fosta seized and put under guard then torn by an understandable mix guard then torn by an understandable mix guard then torn by an understandable mix of grief and rage he decided that an eye of grief and rage he decided that an eye of grief and rage he decided that an eye for an eye was the best way to for an eye was the best way to for an eye was the best way to go the most commonly cold version of the go the most commonly cold version of the go the most commonly cold version of the story is that he had his wife put in a story is that he had his wife put in a story is that he had his wife put in a steam room the doors were locked and the steam room the doors were locked and the steam room the doors were locked and the heat was cranked up to a the emor heat was cranked up to a the emor heat was cranked up to a the emor suffocated in the unbearable suffocated in the unbearable suffocated in the unbearable heat just like that the emperor's son heat just like that the emperor's son heat just like that the emperor's son and wife were both dead and both were and wife were both dead and both were and wife were both dead and both were dead at the emperor's dead at the emperor's dead at the emperor's hand even in the far more permissive hand even in the far more permissive hand even in the far more permissive ancient world these were serious crimes ancient world these were serious crimes ancient world these were serious crimes that would haunt Constantine for the that would haunt Constantine for the that would haunt Constantine for the rest of his life the emperor remained in Rome for a time the emperor remained in Rome for a time and then began a slow Journey back to and then began a slow Journey back to and then began a slow Journey back to nicomedia well aware that he had maybe

nicomedia well aware that he had maybe nicomedia well aware that he had maybe screwed up pretty royally and that his screwed up pretty royally and that his screwed up pretty royally and that his reputation was going to suffer reputation was going to suffer reputation was going to suffer especially in the Christian circles who especially in the Christian circles who especially in the Christian circles who tended to look sideways at things like tended to look sideways at things like tended to look sideways at things like murdering members of your own family murdering members of your own family murdering members of your own family Constantine sought to minimize the Constantine sought to minimize the Constantine sought to minimize the damage and maybe change the subject by damage and maybe change the subject by damage and maybe change the subject by sending his mother Helena on a religious sending his mother Helena on a religious sending his mother Helena on a religious pilgrimage to the Far East she was sent pilgrimage to the Far East she was sent pilgrimage to the Far East she was sent to identify key locations in the life of to identify key locations in the life of to identify key locations in the life of Jesus initiate construction of any Jesus initiate construction of any Jesus initiate construction of any Shrine she felt appropriate and wherever Shrine she felt appropriate and wherever Shrine she felt appropriate and wherever she went to liberally spread the she went to liberally spread the she went to liberally spread the Imperial Imperial Imperial wealth in other words she was on a wealth in other words she was on a wealth in other words she was on a Goodwill Mission to help head off any Goodwill Mission to help head off any Goodwill Mission to help head off any tarnishing of Constantine's tarnishing of Constantine's tarnishing of Constantine's image the mission succeeded beyond the image the mission succeeded beyond the image the mission succeeded beyond the emperor's wildest expectations and his emperor's wildest expectations and his emperor's wildest expectations and his mother's tour of the East which among mother's tour of the East which among mother's tour of the East which among other things officially determined the other things officially determined the other things officially determined the sight of both Jesus's birth and his sight of both Jesus's birth and his sight of both Jesus's birth and his death built a number of important death built a number of important death built a number of important churches that stand to this day and then churches that stand to this day and then churches that stand to this day and then came home with pieces of the True Cross came home with pieces of the True Cross came home with pieces of the True Cross inspired thousands and then Millions to inspired thousands and then Millions to inspired thousands and then Millions to follow in her footsteps and make a follow in her footsteps and make a follow in her footsteps and make a pilgrimage to what was now starting to pilgrimage to what was now starting to pilgrimage to what was now starting to be known as The Holy Land like her son be known as The Holy Land like her son be known as The Holy Land like her son she is not known as St Helena for nothing with the heat from this double nothing with the heat from this double murder partially deflected Constantine murder partially deflected Constantine murder partially deflected Constantine was able to get back to the business of was able to get back to the business of was able to get back to the business of being Emperor without suffering too much being Emperor without suffering too much being Emperor without suffering too much for his for his for his crime the questions I want to spend the crime the questions I want to spend the crime the questions I want to spend the rest of this episode on then are aside rest of this episode on then are aside rest of this episode on then are aside from his promotion of Christianity what from his promotion of Christianity what from his promotion of Christianity what kind of Emperor was Constantine and what kind of Emperor was Constantine and what kind of Emperor was Constantine and what role did he play in the evolution of the

role did he play in the evolution of the role did he play in the evolution of the empire in general the answer is that he empire in general the answer is that he empire in general the answer is that he was in almost every way the ideological was in almost every way the ideological was in almost every way the ideological heir of the old senior Augustus heir of the old senior Augustus heir of the old senior Augustus Diocesan there were differences of Diocesan there were differences of Diocesan there were differences of course the biggest being that course the biggest being that course the biggest being that Constantine had no truck with the Constantine had no truck with the Constantine had no truck with the division of Imperial labor but other division of Imperial labor but other division of Imperial labor but other than that we see him continuing Diocesan than that we see him continuing Diocesan than that we see him continuing Diocesan policies and refining dian's policies policies and refining dian's policies policies and refining dian's policies and extending dian's policies but only and extending dian's policies but only and extending dian's policies but only rarely do we see him turning away from rarely do we see him turning away from rarely do we see him turning away from dian's dian's dian's policies despite the failure of the policies despite the failure of the policies despite the failure of the tetrarchy in the end most of what tetrarchy in the end most of what tetrarchy in the end most of what Diocesan put in place wound up defining Diocesan put in place wound up defining Diocesan put in place wound up defining the next few centuries of the Empire's the next few centuries of the Empire's the next few centuries of the Empire's Evolution even Constantine radical Evolution even Constantine radical Evolution even Constantine radical Visionary Constantine appears to have Visionary Constantine appears to have Visionary Constantine appears to have seen no reason to fundamentally change seen no reason to fundamentally change seen no reason to fundamentally change much of anything at much of anything at much of anything at all first off Constantine completely all first off Constantine completely all first off Constantine completely bought into the ideology of the Emperor bought into the ideology of the Emperor bought into the ideology of the Emperor as the divinely appointed ruler and as the divinely appointed ruler and as the divinely appointed ruler and fully embraced the pageantry that fully embraced the pageantry that fully embraced the pageantry that Diocesan had built up to elevate the Diocesan had built up to elevate the Diocesan had built up to elevate the emperor above mortal men though emperor above mortal men though emperor above mortal men though obviously Constantine looked to God obviously Constantine looked to God obviously Constantine looked to God rather than Jupiter as his ultimate rather than Jupiter as his ultimate rather than Jupiter as his ultimate Patron Constantine dressed exquisitly Patron Constantine dressed exquisitly Patron Constantine dressed exquisitly wore a diadem remained sequestered from wore a diadem remained sequestered from wore a diadem remained sequestered from all but the most important dignitaries all but the most important dignitaries all but the most important dignitaries sat While others stood and was addressed sat While others stood and was addressed sat While others stood and was addressed as Lord Constantine or sacred as Lord Constantine or sacred as Lord Constantine or sacred Constantine or Divine Constantine or Divine Constantine or Divine Constantine Diocesan had redefined the Constantine Diocesan had redefined the Constantine Diocesan had redefined the role of the emperor in the Empire and role of the emperor in the Empire and role of the emperor in the Empire and Constantine played the new part to

Constantine played the new part to Constantine played the new part to Perfection but it was not just in the Perfection but it was not just in the Perfection but it was not just in the Optics Department that Constantine Optics Department that Constantine Optics Department that Constantine followed dian's lead in the realm of followed dian's lead in the realm of followed dian's lead in the realm of Imperial Administration he followed the Imperial Administration he followed the Imperial Administration he followed the old senior Augustus as well he made only old senior Augustus as well he made only old senior Augustus as well he made only minor tweaks to the reform provincial minor tweaks to the reform provincial minor tweaks to the reform provincial divisions daian had established military divisions daian had established military divisions daian had established military and civilian careers were kept separate and civilian careers were kept separate and civilian careers were kept separate and real power was increasingly shifted and real power was increasingly shifted and real power was increasingly shifted to the emperor's ever expanding Central to the emperor's ever expanding Central to the emperor's ever expanding Central bureaucracy Constantine added new bureaucracy Constantine added new bureaucracy Constantine added new positions and new layers to the already positions and new layers to the already positions and new layers to the already elaborate governmental apparatus he elaborate governmental apparatus he elaborate governmental apparatus he inherited and did everything he could to inherited and did everything he could to inherited and did everything he could to enhance the dignity and cement the enhance the dignity and cement the enhance the dignity and cement the authority of the Imperial authority of the Imperial authority of the Imperial bureaucrats his only break with daian in bureaucrats his only break with daian in bureaucrats his only break with daian in this regard is that Constantine was not this regard is that Constantine was not this regard is that Constantine was not so eager to thumb his nose at the so eager to thumb his nose at the so eager to thumb his nose at the senatorial class especially since he was senatorial class especially since he was senatorial class especially since he was in the middle of an allout assault on in the middle of an allout assault on in the middle of an allout assault on their religious their religious their religious beliefs following through on the promise beliefs following through on the promise beliefs following through on the promise he had made following the milvan bridge he had made following the milvan bridge he had made following the milvan bridge to renew their old privileges to renew their old privileges to renew their old privileges Constantine reopened most of the higher Constantine reopened most of the higher Constantine reopened most of the higher offices in the Empire to Men of offices in the Empire to Men of offices in the Empire to Men of senatorial Rank and eagerly welcomed senatorial Rank and eagerly welcomed senatorial Rank and eagerly welcomed them into his them into his them into his administration he coupled this reform administration he coupled this reform administration he coupled this reform with a deliberate move to reduce the with a deliberate move to reduce the with a deliberate move to reduce the number of equites serving in government number of equites serving in government number of equites serving in government now this appears to be a pretty now this appears to be a pretty now this appears to be a pretty significant shift in policy but there significant shift in policy but there significant shift in policy but there was actually less to it than meets the was actually less to it than meets the was actually less to it than meets the eye because though Constantine opened up eye because though Constantine opened up eye because though Constantine opened up all these positions to Men of senatorial all these positions to Men of senatorial all these positions to Men of senatorial rank he also significantly lowered the rank he also significantly lowered the rank he also significantly lowered the bar for admission into that

bar for admission into that bar for admission into that class in effect all those equites who class in effect all those equites who class in effect all those equites who were now barred from this office or that were now barred from this office or that were now barred from this office or that post didn't really care because hey look post didn't really care because hey look post didn't really care because hey look at me I'm a senator now at me I'm a senator now at me I'm a senator now too when Constantine enrolled the new too when Constantine enrolled the new too when Constantine enrolled the new Senate to serve him in Constantinople it Senate to serve him in Constantinople it Senate to serve him in Constantinople it didn't not number 300 or even 600 but didn't not number 300 or even 600 but didn't not number 300 or even 600 but 2,000 the senatorial class was welcomed 2,000 the senatorial class was welcomed 2,000 the senatorial class was welcomed back into Power sure but only after back into Power sure but only after back into Power sure but only after Constantine had carefully watered it down and Constantine also continued with down and Constantine also continued with dian's almost scientific approach to dian's almost scientific approach to dian's almost scientific approach to taxation though when coupled with his taxation though when coupled with his taxation though when coupled with his monetary policy Constantine really did a monetary policy Constantine really did a monetary policy Constantine really did a number on dian's vision of everyone number on dian's vision of everyone number on dian's vision of everyone sharing in the burden of Empire sharing in the burden of Empire sharing in the burden of Empire according to their particular mean though for the most part daan's tax though for the most part daan's tax structure continued to function as it structure continued to function as it structure continued to function as it previously had Constantine began pushing previously had Constantine began pushing previously had Constantine began pushing to augment the in-kind system with new to augment the in-kind system with new to augment the in-kind system with new taxes that were to be paid in precious taxes that were to be paid in precious taxes that were to be paid in precious metal just like the good old metal just like the good old metal just like the good old days the political and economic systems days the political and economic systems days the political and economic systems of the Empire had stabilized of the Empire had stabilized of the Empire had stabilized considerably since Diocesan had considerably since Diocesan had considerably since Diocesan had initiated his tax reforms and initiated his tax reforms and initiated his tax reforms and Constantine felt like it was time for Constantine felt like it was time for Constantine felt like it was time for his subjects to start paying in cash his subjects to start paying in cash his subjects to start paying in cash again again again this move was coupled with the emperor's this move was coupled with the emperor's this move was coupled with the emperor's introduction of a carefully crafted gold introduction of a carefully crafted gold introduction of a carefully crafted gold coin called the solidus 72 of which were coin called the solidus 72 of which were coin called the solidus 72 of which were to equal one Roman to equal one Roman to equal one Roman pound though no one knew it at the time pound though no one knew it at the time pound though no one knew it at the time the soundness of the solidus would

the soundness of the solidus would the soundness of the solidus would become legendary as its weight and become legendary as its weight and become legendary as its weight and Purity would be maintained for the next Purity would be maintained for the next Purity would be maintained for the next 700 years at least forming the basis of 700 years at least forming the basis of 700 years at least forming the basis of the Byzantine economy and almost the Byzantine economy and almost the Byzantine economy and almost single-handedly helping to keep the west single-handedly helping to keep the west single-handedly helping to keep the west from falling into a strictly barter from falling into a strictly barter from falling into a strictly barter economy follow following the fall of the economy follow following the fall of the economy follow following the fall of the Empire but unfortunately Constantine Empire but unfortunately Constantine Empire but unfortunately Constantine focused only on the gold standard and he focused only on the gold standard and he focused only on the gold standard and he basically left silver and copper coins basically left silver and copper coins basically left silver and copper coins to fend for themselves which helped to to fend for themselves which helped to to fend for themselves which helped to exacerbate the growing divide between exacerbate the growing divide between exacerbate the growing divide between the rich and everyone the rich and everyone the rich and everyone else those Rich enough to deal in gold else those Rich enough to deal in gold else those Rich enough to deal in gold found that their wealth and power was found that their wealth and power was found that their wealth and power was now shielded from the ravages of runaway now shielded from the ravages of runaway now shielded from the ravages of runaway inflation while those further down the inflation while those further down the inflation while those further down the ladder in particular the middle class ladder in particular the middle class ladder in particular the middle class Merchants once again saw their lives and Merchants once again saw their lives and Merchants once again saw their lives and livelihoods threat by an unstable economy the most pernicious aspect of economy the most pernicious aspect of Constantine's new gold and silver tax Constantine's new gold and silver tax Constantine's new gold and silver tax which was directed primarily at the which was directed primarily at the which was directed primarily at the Commerce of the merchant class was that Commerce of the merchant class was that Commerce of the merchant class was that it was only assessed once every four it was only assessed once every four it was only assessed once every four years that is the collectors would come years that is the collectors would come years that is the collectors would come around and demand a lump sum of what you around and demand a lump sum of what you around and demand a lump sum of what you owe to cover the next four annual owe to cover the next four annual owe to cover the next four annual budgets you can imagine how much stress budgets you can imagine how much stress budgets you can imagine how much stress this would cause us today and we have this would cause us today and we have this would cause us today and we have automatic automatic automatic withholding for a population also withholding for a population also withholding for a population also dealing with runaway inflation the new dealing with runaway inflation the new dealing with runaway inflation the new tax was a disaster what money they had tax was a disaster what money they had tax was a disaster what money they had was virtually worthless and nowhere near was virtually worthless and nowhere near was virtually worthless and nowhere near enough to cover the patently Absurd enough to cover the patently Absurd enough to cover the patently Absurd demands that were now being laid down demands that were now being laid down demands that were now being laid down from on high so every four years the

from on high so every four years the from on high so every four years the citizens of the Empire would have a citizens of the Empire would have a citizens of the Empire would have a collective panic attack as they tried to collective panic attack as they tried to collective panic attack as they tried to figure out how in the hell they were figure out how in the hell they were figure out how in the hell they were going to pay the tax going to pay the tax going to pay the tax collectors and of course since the tax collectors and of course since the tax collectors and of course since the tax collectors themselves were on the hook collectors themselves were on the hook collectors themselves were on the hook if they did not meet their quota for if they did not meet their quota for if they did not meet their quota for Revenue well let's just say that Revenue well let's just say that Revenue well let's just say that exceptions were never made and exceptions were never made and exceptions were never made and eventually Constantine had to step in eventually Constantine had to step in eventually Constantine had to step in and publish edicts Banning the more and publish edicts Banning the more and publish edicts Banning the more sadistic forms of sadistic forms of sadistic forms of torture it was not at all uncommon torture it was not at all uncommon torture it was not at all uncommon during this quadrennial nightmare for during this quadrennial nightmare for during this quadrennial nightmare for children to be sold into slavery to pay children to be sold into slavery to pay children to be sold into slavery to pay tax debts or for households to Simply tax debts or for households to Simply tax debts or for households to Simply give up and become indentured servants give up and become indentured servants give up and become indentured servants to wealthy land owners when they were to wealthy land owners when they were to wealthy land owners when they were unable to unable to unable to pay Constantine was not indifferent to pay Constantine was not indifferent to pay Constantine was not indifferent to the problems of his new tax system and the problems of his new tax system and the problems of his new tax system and over the years he did his best to make over the years he did his best to make over the years he did his best to make sure tax obligations lined up with a sure tax obligations lined up with a sure tax obligations lined up with a citizen's actual ability to pay but the citizen's actual ability to pay but the citizen's actual ability to pay but the long and short of it was that he needed long and short of it was that he needed long and short of it was that he needed the money and sometimes you can't make the money and sometimes you can't make the money and sometimes you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs so what was the omelet Constantine eggs so what was the omelet Constantine was trying to make that is why did he was trying to make that is why did he was trying to make that is why did he need all of that need all of that need all of that money the Emperor of course had an army money the Emperor of course had an army money the Emperor of course had an army to pay for and Frontiers to defend which to pay for and Frontiers to defend which to pay for and Frontiers to defend which we'll talk about more next time he also we'll talk about more next time he also we'll talk about more next time he also had a bureaucracy to pay forign a had a bureaucracy to pay forign a had a bureaucracy to pay forign a government to run he also had initiated government to run he also had initiated government to run he also had initiated an empire-wide building program that was an empire-wide building program that was an empire-wide building program that was unprecedented in its size and scope at unprecedented in its size and scope at unprecedented in its size and scope at least in the context of its time and least in the context of its time and least in the context of its time and that building program though dominated that building program though dominated that building program though dominated by Church Construction St Peters for

by Church Construction St Peters for by Church Construction St Peters for example was a hugely expensive example was a hugely expensive example was a hugely expensive undertaking Constantine did not ignore undertaking Constantine did not ignore undertaking Constantine did not ignore the secular infrastructure and he did the secular infrastructure and he did the secular infrastructure and he did his best to help cash strap his best to help cash strap his best to help cash strap municipalities keep their public municipalities keep their public municipalities keep their public buildings from falling into buildings from falling into buildings from falling into disrepair and of course course there was disrepair and of course course there was disrepair and of course course there was the city he was building on the the city he was building on the the city he was building on the Bosphorus which was officially Bosphorus which was officially Bosphorus which was officially inaugurated in May of 330 ad but which inaugurated in May of 330 ad but which inaugurated in May of 330 ad but which remained a persistent drain on the remained a persistent drain on the remained a persistent drain on the treasury as the emperor got his City up treasury as the emperor got his City up treasury as the emperor got his City up and and and running all of this added up to a very running all of this added up to a very running all of this added up to a very large number on the bottom line and it large number on the bottom line and it large number on the bottom line and it is actually much to Constantine's credit is actually much to Constantine's credit is actually much to Constantine's credit that he was at least mindful of the fact that he was at least mindful of the fact that he was at least mindful of the fact that at the end of the day the credits that at the end of the day the credits that at the end of the day the credits and debits ought to line up tax and and debits ought to line up tax and and debits ought to line up tax and spend might be bad but tax cut and spend spend might be bad but tax cut and spend spend might be bad but tax cut and spend is even is even is even worse plus while Constantine could never worse plus while Constantine could never worse plus while Constantine could never be accused of being Frugal neither could be accused of being Frugal neither could be accused of being Frugal neither could he be accused of being mindlessly he be accused of being mindlessly he be accused of being mindlessly extravagant everything he did had a extravagant everything he did had a extravagant everything he did had a point and for the most part that which point and for the most part that which point and for the most part that which Constantine paid for was well worth the Constantine paid for was well worth the Constantine paid for was well worth the cost that said his handling of the cost that said his handling of the cost that said his handling of the economy and his monetary policy in economy and his monetary policy in economy and his monetary policy in particular inflamed problems that would particular inflamed problems that would particular inflamed problems that would in time lead to nothing less than the in time lead to nothing less than the in time lead to nothing less than the fall of the Western Empire fall of the Western Empire fall of the Western Empire for example one of the most interesting for example one of the most interesting for example one of the most interesting side effects of the commercial tax was side effects of the commercial tax was side effects of the commercial tax was that large land owners were able to that large land owners were able to that large land owners were able to avoid paying it simply by making their avoid paying it simply by making their avoid paying it simply by making their Estates as self-sufficient as possible Estates as self-sufficient as possible Estates as self-sufficient as possible no trade no no trade no no trade no tax along with a number of other factors

tax along with a number of other factors tax along with a number of other factors this increase self-sufficiently allowed this increase self-sufficiently allowed this increase self-sufficiently allowed the super Elites to begin withdrawing the super Elites to begin withdrawing the super Elites to begin withdrawing from public life altogether undermining from public life altogether undermining from public life altogether undermining the imperial system and creating little the imperial system and creating little the imperial system and creating little independent foms that would in time form independent foms that would in time form independent foms that would in time form the backbone of feudal Europe and that's the backbone of feudal Europe and that's the backbone of feudal Europe and that's the problem with these things sometimes the problem with these things sometimes the problem with these things sometimes you don't know what the final cost is you don't know what the final cost is you don't know what the final cost is going to be next time we will cover the last be next time we will cover the last years of the man history will come to years of the man history will come to years of the man history will come to know as Constantine the Great with his know as Constantine the Great with his know as Constantine the Great with his air apparent Crispus now dead the Aging air apparent Crispus now dead the Aging air apparent Crispus now dead the Aging Emperor will have to quickly bring his Emperor will have to quickly bring his Emperor will have to quickly bring his younger Sons up to speed so that the younger Sons up to speed so that the younger Sons up to speed so that the Empire would not be left in the hands of Empire would not be left in the hands of Empire would not be left in the hands of novices when he was novices when he was novices when he was gone pressures in the North will plunge gone pressures in the North will plunge gone pressures in the North will plunge him and the Empire back into war and a him and the Empire back into war and a him and the Empire back into war and a crisis in the East will very nearly lead crisis in the East will very nearly lead crisis in the East will very nearly lead to armed conflict with the Persians and to armed conflict with the Persians and to armed conflict with the Persians and of course at the very end and with no of course at the very end and with no of course at the very end and with no time left for any further sin to stain time left for any further sin to stain time left for any further sin to stain his soul Constantine the first Christian his soul Constantine the first Christian his soul Constantine the first Christian Emperor will finally be baptized Emperor will finally be baptized Emperor will finally be baptized [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome

hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode episode episode 139 wash away your sins 139 wash away your sins 139 wash away your sins [Music] [Music] [Music] last time we talked about what last time we talked about what last time we talked about what Constantine got up to when he wasn't Constantine got up to when he wasn't Constantine got up to when he wasn't busy trying to convert the Empire to busy trying to convert the Empire to busy trying to convert the Empire to Christianity you'll recall that for the Christianity you'll recall that for the Christianity you'll recall that for the most part he was up to refining the most part he was up to refining the most part he was up to refining the administrative apparatus daian had administrative apparatus daian had administrative apparatus daian had created transforming bizantium into created transforming bizantium into created transforming bizantium into Constantinople and um killing his wife Constantinople and um killing his wife Constantinople and um killing his wife and and and son this week we will bring the long and son this week we will bring the long and son this week we will bring the long and remarkable career of the first Christian remarkable career of the first Christian remarkable career of the first Christian Emperor to a close but before we do I Emperor to a close but before we do I Emperor to a close but before we do I want to spend some time discussing the want to spend some time discussing the want to spend some time discussing the external posture of the Empire during external posture of the Empire during external posture of the Empire during Constantine's Constantine's Constantine's Reign last time we focused mostly on Reign last time we focused mostly on Reign last time we focused mostly on domestic concerns taxes and monetary domestic concerns taxes and monetary domestic concerns taxes and monetary policy and so on so this week I want to policy and so on so this week I want to policy and so on so this week I want to take a look at foreign affairs what was take a look at foreign affairs what was take a look at foreign affairs what was Constantine's relationship with the Constantine's relationship with the Constantine's relationship with the tribes beyond the northern tribes beyond the northern tribes beyond the northern Frontiers what was his relationship with Frontiers what was his relationship with Frontiers what was his relationship with the great SED Empire beyond the Eastern the great SED Empire beyond the Eastern the great SED Empire beyond the Eastern Frontiers and of course what was his Frontiers and of course what was his Frontiers and of course what was his relationship with the army that defended relationship with the army that defended relationship with the army that defended those fronti once we get done talking about all that once we get done talking about all that we're going to turn our attention to the we're going to turn our attention to the we're going to turn our attention to the thorny issue of succession and then thorny issue of succession and then thorny issue of succession and then finally to the baptism and death of finally to the baptism and death of finally to the baptism and death of Constantine the Great as we've discussed previously Great as we've discussed previously during the later Roman Empire the hard during the later Roman Empire the hard during the later Roman Empire the hard line separating the Civilized Romans line separating the Civilized Romans line separating the Civilized Romans from the Barbarian tribes began to from the Barbarian tribes began to from the Barbarian tribes began to blur Imperial policy had always hinted

blur Imperial policy had always hinted blur Imperial policy had always hinted at the possible benefits of bringing the at the possible benefits of bringing the at the possible benefits of bringing the Germans into the Roman unfold and round Germans into the Roman unfold and round Germans into the Roman unfold and round about the reign of aurelion that hint about the reign of aurelion that hint about the reign of aurelion that hint became a blunt statement as willing became a blunt statement as willing became a blunt statement as willing tribesmen suitably pacified started to tribesmen suitably pacified started to tribesmen suitably pacified started to be deposited in Gaul or panonia or be deposited in Gaul or panonia or be deposited in Gaul or panonia or moesia to help fill the empty quarters moesia to help fill the empty quarters moesia to help fill the empty quarters and provide a buffer between the soft and provide a buffer between the soft and provide a buffer between the soft inner Empire and the hard Northern inner Empire and the hard Northern inner Empire and the hard Northern Wilds these same tribesmen were then Wilds these same tribesmen were then Wilds these same tribesmen were then recruited into the army and by virtue of recruited into the army and by virtue of recruited into the army and by virtue of the fact that the legions were a far the fact that the legions were a far the fact that the legions were a far more merit-based institution in the late more merit-based institution in the late more merit-based institution in the late Empire than it was in the early Empire Empire than it was in the early Empire Empire than it was in the early Empire they began to climb up the chain of they began to climb up the chain of they began to climb up the chain of command this so-called germanization of command this so-called germanization of command this so-called germanization of the Army is a very important development the Army is a very important development the Army is a very important development in the history of the Empire a in the history of the Empire a in the history of the Empire a development which we will come back to development which we will come back to development which we will come back to again and again as the West slips into again and again as the West slips into again and again as the West slips into terminal terminal terminal decline because any discussion of why decline because any discussion of why decline because any discussion of why the Western Empire fell would be the Western Empire fell would be the Western Empire fell would be incomplete without a good hard look at incomplete without a good hard look at incomplete without a good hard look at the Roman failure to successfully the Roman failure to successfully the Roman failure to successfully integrate the Germans the way they had integrate the Germans the way they had integrate the Germans the way they had successfully integrated practically successfully integrated practically successfully integrated practically every other foreign people they had run every other foreign people they had run every other foreign people they had run up against in the whole long history of up against in the whole long history of up against in the whole long history of the Empire by virtue of the circumstances of Empire by virtue of the circumstances of his times and the circumstances of his his times and the circumstances of his his times and the circumstances of his own political situation Constantine own political situation Constantine own political situation Constantine wound up becoming an acolyte of wound up becoming an acolyte of wound up becoming an acolyte of germanization his father as you'll germanization his father as you'll germanization his father as you'll recall had gotten his Imperial start recall had gotten his Imperial start recall had gotten his Imperial start fighting Wars with and making peace with fighting Wars with and making peace with fighting Wars with and making peace with the tribes along the Ry River so when the tribes along the Ry River so when the tribes along the Ry River so when Constantine succeeded him the son

Constantine succeeded him the son Constantine succeeded him the son inherited the political and Military inherited the political and Military inherited the political and Military Legacy of the Legacy of the Legacy of the father constantius had embraced the father constantius had embraced the father constantius had embraced the policy of German settlement within the policy of German settlement within the policy of German settlement within the borders and in particular he had a borders and in particular he had a borders and in particular he had a strong relationship with the Franks on strong relationship with the Franks on strong relationship with the Franks on the lower rine indeed one of the great the lower rine indeed one of the great the lower rine indeed one of the great successes of his career was defeating a successes of his career was defeating a successes of his career was defeating a portion of the Franks who were aligned portion of the Franks who were aligned portion of the Franks who were aligned with krosus and then flipping them over with krosus and then flipping them over with krosus and then flipping them over to his to his to his side when constantius died 10 years side when constantius died 10 years side when constantius died 10 years later and Constantine made his bid for later and Constantine made his bid for later and Constantine made his bid for power he was backed at a critical Moment power he was backed at a critical Moment power he was backed at a critical Moment by the Frankish client his father had by the Frankish client his father had by the Frankish client his father had cultivated from that moment on cultivated from that moment on cultivated from that moment on Constantine had a close relationship Constantine had a close relationship Constantine had a close relationship with the Germans in general and the with the Germans in general and the with the Germans in general and the Franks in Franks in Franks in particular they formed the most particular they formed the most particular they formed the most formidable parts of the armies he used formidable parts of the armies he used formidable parts of the armies he used to conquer the Empire and his own to conquer the Empire and his own to conquer the Empire and his own personal bodyguard was made up personal bodyguard was made up personal bodyguard was made up exclusively of German exclusively of German exclusively of German Cavalry this is of course not to say Cavalry this is of course not to say Cavalry this is of course not to say that the Germans were one monolithic that the Germans were one monolithic that the Germans were one monolithic thing and that Constantine was friendly thing and that Constantine was friendly thing and that Constantine was friendly with them all nor that they were all with them all nor that they were all with them all nor that they were all friendly with him one look at the friendly with him one look at the friendly with him one look at the innumerable campaigns fought along the innumerable campaigns fought along the innumerable campaigns fought along the rine during the length of Constantine's rine during the length of Constantine's rine during the length of Constantine's career is enough to dispense with that career is enough to dispense with that career is enough to dispense with that notion but that said the incorporation notion but that said the incorporation notion but that said the incorporation of Germanic elements into the Empire's of Germanic elements into the Empire's of Germanic elements into the Empire's military apparatus was now on the steady military apparatus was now on the steady military apparatus was now on the steady rise and Constantine was a big reason why besides his willingness to fight why besides his willingness to fight using German soldiers there was one using German soldiers there was one using German soldiers there was one other change Constantine made to the other change Constantine made to the other change Constantine made to the military structure that wound up having military structure that wound up having military structure that wound up having long-term consequences for the empire

long-term consequences for the empire long-term consequences for the empire you'll recall that back in episode 125 you'll recall that back in episode 125 you'll recall that back in episode 125 the best defense is a good defense I the best defense is a good defense I the best defense is a good defense I mentioned the difficulty in trying to mentioned the difficulty in trying to mentioned the difficulty in trying to figure which of the period's military figure which of the period's military figure which of the period's military reforms were actually initiated by reforms were actually initiated by reforms were actually initiated by Diocesan due to the presence of possible Diocesan due to the presence of possible Diocesan due to the presence of possible anachronisms in the historical anachronisms in the historical anachronisms in the historical record specifically I was talking about record specifically I was talking about record specifically I was talking about the creation of the limitan the frontier the creation of the limitan the frontier the creation of the limitan the frontier militias who would act as a first line militias who would act as a first line militias who would act as a first line of defense until the legions proper of defense until the legions proper of defense until the legions proper could arrive on the could arrive on the could arrive on the scene well we can stop worrying about scene well we can stop worrying about scene well we can stop worrying about anachronisms now because in the reign of anachronisms now because in the reign of anachronisms now because in the reign of Constantine the existence of the limitan Constantine the existence of the limitan Constantine the existence of the limitan is definitely attested to and those who is definitely attested to and those who is definitely attested to and those who are loath to attribute the creation of are loath to attribute the creation of are loath to attribute the creation of it to Diocesan are hesitant to do so it to Diocesan are hesitant to do so it to Diocesan are hesitant to do so because they believe it was actually because they believe it was actually because they believe it was actually Constantine who initiated the change and Constantine who initiated the change and Constantine who initiated the change and that he did so as a way to make up for that he did so as a way to make up for that he did so as a way to make up for the fact that he was now deploying the the fact that he was now deploying the the fact that he was now deploying the Empire's legionary forces much further Empire's legionary forces much further Empire's legionary forces much further behind the frontier behind the frontier behind the frontier lines he is said to have done this in lines he is said to have done this in lines he is said to have done this in order to create large mobile field order to create large mobile field order to create large mobile field armies that would be able to easily armies that would be able to easily armies that would be able to easily reach an invasion point along the border reach an invasion point along the border reach an invasion point along the border and then overwhelm any hostile forces and then overwhelm any hostile forces and then overwhelm any hostile forces they found but these days there is a they found but these days there is a they found but these days there is a large contingent of historians who large contingent of historians who large contingent of historians who suspect that Constantine concentrated suspect that Constantine concentrated suspect that Constantine concentrated his forces and garrisoned them in his forces and garrisoned them in his forces and garrisoned them in interior cities for domestic political interior cities for domestic political interior cities for domestic political reasons more than any commander since reasons more than any commander since reasons more than any commander since perhaps Octavian Constantine's career perhaps Octavian Constantine's career perhaps Octavian Constantine's career was dominated by Civil War and it is not was dominated by Civil War and it is not was dominated by Civil War and it is not unreasonable to assume that his military unreasonable to assume that his military unreasonable to assume that his military posture was heavily influ infuenced by posture was heavily influ infuenced by posture was heavily influ infuenced by that

experience to help him run the vast new experience to help him run the vast new Army he now had sole control of an army Army he now had sole control of an army Army he now had sole control of an army numbering somewhere between 400 and numbering somewhere between 400 and numbering somewhere between 400 and 600,000 men Constantine created two new 600,000 men Constantine created two new 600,000 men Constantine created two new ranks the master of the Infantry and ranks the master of the Infantry and ranks the master of the Infantry and resurrecting the long ago abandoned resurrecting the long ago abandoned resurrecting the long ago abandoned title of a dictator second in command title of a dictator second in command title of a dictator second in command the master of the the master of the the master of the horse as the title suggests one was horse as the title suggests one was horse as the title suggests one was supposed to be in control of the supposed to be in control of the supposed to be in control of the Empire's foot soldiers and the other in Empire's foot soldiers and the other in Empire's foot soldiers and the other in charge of the Empire's Cavalry thus charge of the Empire's Cavalry thus charge of the Empire's Cavalry thus allowing for a large scale coordination allowing for a large scale coordination allowing for a large scale coordination without investing either man was sole without investing either man was sole without investing either man was sole control over all the forces in a control over all the forces in a control over all the forces in a region but in practice both of these region but in practice both of these region but in practice both of these high-ranking officers wound up high-ranking officers wound up high-ranking officers wound up commanding elements of the others commanding elements of the others commanding elements of the others administrative sphere Plus in time both administrative sphere Plus in time both administrative sphere Plus in time both of these ranks would become subservient of these ranks would become subservient of these ranks would become subservient to an overall Master of the military who to an overall Master of the military who to an overall Master of the military who acted as the commander-in-chief of the acted as the commander-in-chief of the acted as the commander-in-chief of the whole Army which kind of defeats the whole Army which kind of defeats the whole Army which kind of defeats the whole purpose of the foot horse whole purpose of the foot horse whole purpose of the foot horse distinction in and of themselves these distinction in and of themselves these distinction in and of themselves these new positions are not that interesting new positions are not that interesting new positions are not that interesting as they simply filled the void left by as they simply filled the void left by as they simply filled the void left by the petorian prefects once their the petorian prefects once their the petorian prefects once their military Powers were Stripped Away but military Powers were Stripped Away but military Powers were Stripped Away but the role the men who held these offices the role the men who held these offices the role the men who held these offices would play in the final century and a would play in the final century and a would play in the final century and a half of the Western Empire is half of the Western Empire is half of the Western Empire is fascinating fascinating fascinating indeed essentially denied the right to indeed essentially denied the right to indeed essentially denied the right to hold political power in their own right hold political power in their own right hold political power in their own right the powerful German officers who served the powerful German officers who served the powerful German officers who served as masters of the military in the fifth as masters of the military in the fifth as masters of the military in the fifth th Century would become the power behind th Century would become the power behind th Century would become the power behind a series of puppet Emperors and a series of puppet Emperors and a series of puppet Emperors and eventually the Imperial office itself

eventually the Imperial office itself eventually the Imperial office itself would be weakened to the point that when would be weakened to the point that when would be weakened to the point that when it was abolished by oo aser in it was abolished by oo aser in it was abolished by oo aser in 476 it went not with a bang but a 476 it went not with a bang but a 476 it went not with a bang but a whimper but we'll get to all of that whimper but we'll get to all of that whimper but we'll get to all of that soon soon soon enough Constantine's reforms to the enough Constantine's reforms to the enough Constantine's reforms to the military worked out pretty well for the military worked out pretty well for the military worked out pretty well for the emperor at the time but eventually they emperor at the time but eventually they emperor at the time but eventually they became the source of some of the became the source of some of the became the source of some of the harshest criticisms of his harshest criticisms of his harshest criticisms of his Rain by pulling the stronger faster and Rain by pulling the stronger faster and Rain by pulling the stronger faster and better trained troops off the Frontiers better trained troops off the Frontiers better trained troops off the Frontiers the feeling was that he was fatally the feeling was that he was fatally the feeling was that he was fatally weakening the Borderlands and leaving weakening the Borderlands and leaving weakening the Borderlands and leaving them far more vulnerable than they them far more vulnerable than they them far more vulnerable than they needed to needed to needed to be plus by dropping huge garrisons in be plus by dropping huge garrisons in be plus by dropping huge garrisons in the cities of the Interior those cities the cities of the Interior those cities the cities of the Interior those cities were suddenly dealing with the burden of were suddenly dealing with the burden of were suddenly dealing with the burden of feeding and housing all of these feeding and housing all of these feeding and housing all of these troops far from the front lines the troops far from the front lines the troops far from the front lines the soldiers grew soft and the citizens soldiers grew soft and the citizens soldiers grew soft and the citizens became embittered morale suffered all became embittered morale suffered all became embittered morale suffered all around and that old disconnect between around and that old disconnect between around and that old disconnect between the armed forces and the civilian the armed forces and the civilian the armed forces and the civilian population was revived with a population was revived with a population was revived with a Vengeance finally though there are many Vengeance finally though there are many Vengeance finally though there are many ways to look at the issue Constantine's ways to look at the issue Constantine's ways to look at the issue Constantine's willingness to populate the legions with willingness to populate the legions with willingness to populate the legions with soldiers of German descent and augment soldiers of German descent and augment soldiers of German descent and augment his armies with German auxiliary forces his armies with German auxiliary forces his armies with German auxiliary forces was seen as a crucial development in the was seen as a crucial development in the was seen as a crucial development in the story of how the Western Empire story of how the Western Empire story of how the Western Empire fell because the theory goes once the fell because the theory goes once the fell because the theory goes once the Germans warmed their way into the the Germans warmed their way into the the Germans warmed their way into the the military the ultimate destruction of the military the ultimate destruction of the military the ultimate destruction of the Empire became a matter not of if but of

when but like I say the reforms worked when but like I say the reforms worked pretty well at the time and for the 12 pretty well at the time and for the 12 pretty well at the time and for the 12 years he was sole Emperor the legions years he was sole Emperor the legions years he was sole Emperor the legions won every single campaign they initiated won every single campaign they initiated won every single campaign they initiated and they initiated a lot mostly against and they initiated a lot mostly against and they initiated a lot mostly against the Franks and the Alami on the rine and the Franks and the Alami on the rine and the Franks and the Alami on the rine and the sarmi and Goths along the the sarmi and Goths along the the sarmi and Goths along the danu in fact after being pushed back by danu in fact after being pushed back by danu in fact after being pushed back by The Barbarians during the crisis of the The Barbarians during the crisis of the The Barbarians during the crisis of the 3rd Century the Romans finally 3rd Century the Romans finally 3rd Century the Romans finally consistently found themselves having the consistently found themselves having the consistently found themselves having the upper hand in their dealings with the upper hand in their dealings with the upper hand in their dealings with the northern northern northern Menace things went so well that Menace things went so well that Menace things went so well that Constantine actually felt comfortable Constantine actually felt comfortable Constantine actually felt comfortable building a permanent Bridge across the r building a permanent Bridge across the r building a permanent Bridge across the r and repairing the bridge that tran had and repairing the bridge that tran had and repairing the bridge that tran had once built and aurelion had torn down once built and aurelion had torn down once built and aurelion had torn down that crossed the that crossed the that crossed the danu there was even a brief period in danu there was even a brief period in danu there was even a brief period in the early 330s when the Romans the early 330s when the Romans the early 330s when the Romans reoccupied lower deia reoccupied lower deia reoccupied lower deia aware that his execution of Crispus had aware that his execution of Crispus had aware that his execution of Crispus had left him without an experienced Heir left him without an experienced Heir left him without an experienced Heir Constantine began handing all of these Constantine began handing all of these Constantine began handing all of these wars off to his younger Sons to season wars off to his younger Sons to season wars off to his younger Sons to season them up a them up a them up a bit none of them were quite old enough bit none of them were quite old enough bit none of them were quite old enough to hold down a command of their own but to hold down a command of their own but to hold down a command of their own but they were put in nominal charge and told they were put in nominal charge and told they were put in nominal charge and told to stick close of the capable generals to stick close of the capable generals to stick close of the capable generals actually running things and learn actually running things and learn actually running things and learn everything they could as fast as they everything they could as fast as they everything they could as fast as they could in 330 Constantine II earned the could in 330 Constantine II earned the could in 330 Constantine II earned the title Alam Manus and in 332 at the age title Alam Manus and in 332 at the age title Alam Manus and in 332 at the age of 15 he fought in a successful war of 15 he fought in a successful war of 15 he fought in a successful war against the against the against the Goths constantius II meanwhile was sent Goths constantius II meanwhile was sent Goths constantius II meanwhile was sent to acquaint himself with the Eastern to acquaint himself with the Eastern to acquaint himself with the Eastern provinces and had there actually been a

provinces and had there actually been a provinces and had there actually been a war with Persia which we'll get to in a war with Persia which we'll get to in a war with Persia which we'll get to in a second he certainly would have found second he certainly would have found second he certainly would have found himself right smack dab in the middle of himself right smack dab in the middle of himself right smack dab in the middle of it Constantine's youngest son constant it Constantine's youngest son constant it Constantine's youngest son constant was still just a child during the latter was still just a child during the latter was still just a child during the latter part of his father's Reign but he was part of his father's Reign but he was part of his father's Reign but he was made Caesar in 333 and likely would have made Caesar in 333 and likely would have made Caesar in 333 and likely would have followed his older brother followed his older brother followed his older brother had the emperor had the emperor had the emperor lived the implications of all this began lived the implications of all this began lived the implications of all this began to become clear Constantine was not to become clear Constantine was not to become clear Constantine was not favoring one son over any of the others favoring one son over any of the others favoring one son over any of the others and it appeared that the emperor and it appeared that the emperor and it appeared that the emperor expected all three of them to succeed expected all three of them to succeed expected all three of them to succeed him to power in the spirit if not the him to power in the spirit if not the him to power in the spirit if not the form of the tetrarchy if Constantine's redeployment tetrarchy if Constantine's redeployment of the Empire's military forces raises of the Empire's military forces raises of the Empire's military forces raises eyebrows among Scholars then his eyebrows among Scholars then his eyebrows among Scholars then his succession plan make them bang their succession plan make them bang their succession plan make them bang their heads against the wall I don't think in heads against the wall I don't think in heads against the wall I don't think in all my research I have read a single all my research I have read a single all my research I have read a single good thing about how Constantine chose good thing about how Constantine chose good thing about how Constantine chose to leave the Imperial house when he to leave the Imperial house when he to leave the Imperial house when he died had Crispus lived it is probable died had Crispus lived it is probable died had Crispus lived it is probable that Constantine would have passed the that Constantine would have passed the that Constantine would have passed the throne directly to his eldest son who throne directly to his eldest son who throne directly to his eldest son who was both a proven leader and eminently was both a proven leader and eminently was both a proven leader and eminently capable but after you know murdering him capable but after you know murdering him capable but after you know murdering him Constantine was left with a pile of sons Constantine was left with a pile of sons Constantine was left with a pile of sons and nephews all of whom were young all and nephews all of whom were young all and nephews all of whom were young all of of whom were relatively inexperienced of of whom were relatively inexperienced of of whom were relatively inexperienced and none of whom really stood out and none of whom really stood out and none of whom really stood out against the against the against the others so Constantine decided to just others so Constantine decided to just others so Constantine decided to just leave the Empire to the whole lot of leave the Empire to the whole lot of leave the Empire to the whole lot of them and let them figure it out for

them and let them figure it out for them and let them figure it out for themselves Constantine II was to receive themselves Constantine II was to receive themselves Constantine II was to receive the Western provinces constantius II the the Western provinces constantius II the the Western provinces constantius II the Eastern provinces constant Italy and Eastern provinces constant Italy and Eastern provinces constant Italy and panonia one step nephew a man named panonia one step nephew a man named panonia one step nephew a man named dalmatius was to receive th Macedonia dalmatius was to receive th Macedonia dalmatius was to receive th Macedonia and AA and another hanbal Onis was to and AA and another hanbal Onis was to and AA and another hanbal Onis was to have some sort of vague authority over have some sort of vague authority over have some sort of vague authority over the Far Eastern the Far Eastern the Far Eastern Borderlands had the sons of Constantine Borderlands had the sons of Constantine Borderlands had the sons of Constantine B Paragons of virtue and filled with B Paragons of virtue and filled with B Paragons of virtue and filled with fraternal love the arrangement might fraternal love the arrangement might fraternal love the arrangement might have worked but unfortunately they had have worked but unfortunately they had have worked but unfortunately they had all grown up in the shadow of their all grown up in the shadow of their all grown up in the shadow of their father a man who had spent his entire father a man who had spent his entire father a man who had spent his entire life ruthlessly dispatching members of life ruthlessly dispatching members of life ruthlessly dispatching members of his own family in order to demolish a his own family in order to demolish a his own family in order to demolish a carefully arranged power sharing carefully arranged power sharing carefully arranged power sharing agreement over the years he had killed agreement over the years he had killed agreement over the years he had killed his father-in-law three brothers-in-law his father-in-law three brothers-in-law his father-in-law three brothers-in-law one nephew his son and his wife all in one nephew his son and his wife all in one nephew his son and his wife all in the name of securing and maintaining the name of securing and maintaining the name of securing and maintaining sole control of the Roman sole control of the Roman sole control of the Roman Empire his sons learned this lesson well Empire his sons learned this lesson well Empire his sons learned this lesson well and if Constantine thought that they and if Constantine thought that they and if Constantine thought that they were not going to follow in his were not going to follow in his were not going to follow in his footsteps and he was blind or he was footsteps and he was blind or he was footsteps and he was blind or he was crazy or crazy or crazy or both more than a few people have accused both more than a few people have accused both more than a few people have accused him of Simply being so egomaniacal that him of Simply being so egomaniacal that him of Simply being so egomaniacal that he just didn't care what happened after he just didn't care what happened after he just didn't care what happened after he he he died we'll get into it more next week died we'll get into it more next week died we'll get into it more next week but suffice it to say that Constantine but suffice it to say that Constantine but suffice it to say that Constantine had raised a basket full of vipers and had raised a basket full of vipers and had raised a basket full of vipers and it took them about 7 Seconds to turn on it took them about 7 Seconds to turn on it took them about 7 Seconds to turn on each other once the old man was

gone which brings us to one of gone which brings us to one of Constantine's last and most Constantine's last and most Constantine's last and most controversial controversial controversial initiatives at some point between 334 initiatives at some point between 334 initiatives at some point between 334 and 336 ad the emperor got it into his and 336 ad the emperor got it into his and 336 ad the emperor got it into his head that he was going to provoke a war head that he was going to provoke a war head that he was going to provoke a war with with with Persia why he thought this would be a Persia why he thought this would be a Persia why he thought this would be a good idea especially since the legions good idea especially since the legions good idea especially since the legions were bogged down on both the Ry and danu were bogged down on both the Ry and danu were bogged down on both the Ry and danu Frontiers remains a mystery but there Frontiers remains a mystery but there Frontiers remains a mystery but there you have you have you have it the groundwork for the war had been it the groundwork for the war had been it the groundwork for the war had been laid at some point after he defeated laid at some point after he defeated laid at some point after he defeated Linus when the emperor sent a strongly Linus when the emperor sent a strongly Linus when the emperor sent a strongly worded letter to the CED King informing worded letter to the CED King informing worded letter to the CED King informing him that Constantine considered the him that Constantine considered the him that Constantine considered the Christians in saned territory to be his Christians in saned territory to be his Christians in saned territory to be his clients and that he would have no qualms clients and that he would have no qualms clients and that he would have no qualms about taking any necessary steps to about taking any necessary steps to about taking any necessary steps to ensure their ensure their ensure their safety the saned king did not miss the safety the saned king did not miss the safety the saned king did not miss the fact that this was pretty much exactly fact that this was pretty much exactly fact that this was pretty much exactly the same line of thinking that the same line of thinking that the same line of thinking that Constantine had just used to pick a war Constantine had just used to pick a war Constantine had just used to pick a war with with with linius tensions were kept to a low linius tensions were kept to a low linius tensions were kept to a low simmer until the mid 330s when simmer until the mid 330s when simmer until the mid 330s when Constantine decided to confer upon his Constantine decided to confer upon his Constantine decided to confer upon his step nephew Hannah balanis the title step nephew Hannah balanis the title step nephew Hannah balanis the title king of kings of the pontic people which king of kings of the pontic people which king of kings of the pontic people which was basically the equivalent of the CED was basically the equivalent of the CED was basically the equivalent of the CED King King King appointing someone emperor of the Roman appointing someone emperor of the Roman appointing someone emperor of the Roman people in other words pretty provocative people in other words pretty provocative people in other words pretty provocative stuff so the Persians got a little stuff so the Persians got a little stuff so the Persians got a little paranoid especially about the Christian paranoid especially about the Christian paranoid especially about the Christian king of Armenia who they now saw as a king of Armenia who they now saw as a king of Armenia who they now saw as a part of a larger plan to encircle and part of a larger plan to encircle and part of a larger plan to encircle and conquer them so probably in 336 the

conquer them so probably in 336 the conquer them so probably in 336 the Sanic King invaded Armenia and opposed Sanic King invaded Armenia and opposed Sanic King invaded Armenia and opposed the Christian King which could not have the Christian King which could not have the Christian King which could not have played more into Constantine's hands and played more into Constantine's hands and played more into Constantine's hands and the old Emperor began to gear up for one the old Emperor began to gear up for one the old Emperor began to gear up for one last great campaign but he would never make it out campaign but he would never make it out of of of Bethania not long after Easter 337 the Bethania not long after Easter 337 the Bethania not long after Easter 337 the emperor fell ill and left Constantinople emperor fell ill and left Constantinople emperor fell ill and left Constantinople to recover at the hot baths near the to recover at the hot baths near the to recover at the hot baths near the city of Helen opoulos named for the city of Helen opoulos named for the city of Helen opoulos named for the emperor's emperor's emperor's Mother after a short visit to the Mother after a short visit to the Mother after a short visit to the Turkish Coast Constantine realized that Turkish Coast Constantine realized that Turkish Coast Constantine realized that he was not going to recover and he tried he was not going to recover and he tried he was not going to recover and he tried to make it back to Constantinople so he to make it back to Constantinople so he to make it back to Constantinople so he could die in the city he had created but could die in the city he had created but could die in the city he had created but he was only able to make it as far as he was only able to make it as far as he was only able to make it as far as the suburbs of the suburbs of the suburbs of nicomedia knowing that the end was near nicomedia knowing that the end was near nicomedia knowing that the end was near Constantine summoned the bishop of Constantine summoned the bishop of Constantine summoned the bishop of nicomedia to formally baptize nicomedia to formally baptize nicomedia to formally baptize him people often express surprise and him people often express surprise and him people often express surprise and wonder at the fact that the first wonder at the fact that the first wonder at the fact that the first Christian Emperor was not baptized until Christian Emperor was not baptized until Christian Emperor was not baptized until moments before his death and a cynical moments before his death and a cynical moments before his death and a cynical reading often results usually that reading often results usually that reading often results usually that reading goes something like this the reading goes something like this the reading goes something like this the emperor never was a true Christian and emperor never was a true Christian and emperor never was a true Christian and even now was just hedging his even now was just hedging his even now was just hedging his bets but there is another reading that I bets but there is another reading that I bets but there is another reading that I often find more often find more often find more compelling Constantine was a True compelling Constantine was a True compelling Constantine was a True Believer who was really really afraid of Believer who was really really afraid of Believer who was really really afraid of the Lord Our the Lord Our the Lord Our God it was not uncommon at the time to God it was not uncommon at the time to God it was not uncommon at the time to believe that baptism washed away all believe that baptism washed away all believe that baptism washed away all your accumulated sins and basically left your accumulated sins and basically left your accumulated sins and basically left you with a blank moral slate if you

you with a blank moral slate if you you with a blank moral slate if you truly believe then that too much sin truly believe then that too much sin truly believe then that too much sin would hurt your ability to make it into would hurt your ability to make it into would hurt your ability to make it into heaven it is only logical to wait until heaven it is only logical to wait until heaven it is only logical to wait until the last possible moment to get the last possible moment to get the last possible moment to get baptized that way you would go in clean baptized that way you would go in clean baptized that way you would go in clean as a newborn as a newborn as a newborn babe it was a dangerous game because hey babe it was a dangerous game because hey babe it was a dangerous game because hey what if you get run over by an ox cart what if you get run over by an ox cart what if you get run over by an ox cart but it was a game that Constantine but it was a game that Constantine but it was a game that Constantine evidently played and won because in the evidently played and won because in the evidently played and won because in the few days between his baptism and his few days between his baptism and his few days between his baptism and his death he didn't murder a single one of death he didn't murder a single one of death he didn't murder a single one of his family members so pure is a fresh his family members so pure is a fresh his family members so pure is a fresh Mountain stream on May the 22nd 337 ad Mountain stream on May the 22nd 337 ad Mountain stream on May the 22nd 337 ad Constantine the Great died he was 65 Constantine the Great died he was 65 Constantine the Great died he was 65 years old and had been an emperor for years old and had been an emperor for years old and had been an emperor for almost 31 years Constantine was a strong political years Constantine was a strong political leader indisputably the greatest general leader indisputably the greatest general leader indisputably the greatest general of his age and a Visionary who of his age and a Visionary who of his age and a Visionary who transformed the religious and cultural transformed the religious and cultural transformed the religious and cultural life of the Empire like no Emperor life of the Empire like no Emperor life of the Empire like no Emperor before before before him before he rose to power Christianity him before he rose to power Christianity him before he rose to power Christianity was a religion being hunted down like a was a religion being hunted down like a was a religion being hunted down like a criminal and when he died Rome was so criminal and when he died Rome was so criminal and when he died Rome was so far down the road to conversion that far down the road to conversion that far down the road to conversion that Julian the apostates attempt to turn Julian the apostates attempt to turn Julian the apostates attempt to turn back the tide simply confirmed how much back the tide simply confirmed how much back the tide simply confirmed how much Constantine had entrenched his new Constantine had entrenched his new Constantine had entrenched his new religion beyond that Epoch shifting feat religion beyond that Epoch shifting feat religion beyond that Epoch shifting feat he also built a new capital on the he also built a new capital on the he also built a new capital on the bossers that quite literally became the bossers that quite literally became the bossers that quite literally became the most important city in the world for a most important city in the world for a most important city in the world for a thousand thousand thousand years but these great truly great

years but these great truly great years but these great truly great achievements were offset by a darker set achievements were offset by a darker set achievements were offset by a darker set of of of legacies and when the critiques of legacies and when the critiques of legacies and when the critiques of Constantine's military reforms are Constantine's military reforms are Constantine's military reforms are coupled with his handling of the cids coupled with his handling of the cids coupled with his handling of the cids and his handling of the succession issue and his handling of the succession issue and his handling of the succession issue what we are left with is a great emperor what we are left with is a great emperor what we are left with is a great emperor with a mixed with a mixed with a mixed record because one of the major record because one of the major record because one of the major questions we must ask when assessing an questions we must ask when assessing an questions we must ask when assessing an imperial career is did he leave the imperial career is did he leave the imperial career is did he leave the Empire stronger and safer than he found Empire stronger and safer than he found Empire stronger and safer than he found it in Constantine's case it is not it in Constantine's case it is not it in Constantine's case it is not uncommon to hear Scholars and historians uncommon to hear Scholars and historians uncommon to hear Scholars and historians say well no he did say well no he did say well no he did not his new gold standard served his not his new gold standard served his not his new gold standard served his stabilize the economy yes but only for stabilize the economy yes but only for stabilize the economy yes but only for the upper classes the rest of the the upper classes the rest of the the upper classes the rest of the citizen body was left scrambling to keep citizen body was left scrambling to keep citizen body was left scrambling to keep up in a world of Runway inflation mostly up in a world of Runway inflation mostly up in a world of Runway inflation mostly they could not keep up and the roots of they could not keep up and the roots of they could not keep up and the roots of medieval feudalism with its surfs and medieval feudalism with its surfs and medieval feudalism with its surfs and its Lords is not too difficult to its Lords is not too difficult to its Lords is not too difficult to detect his inexplicable desire to start detect his inexplicable desire to start detect his inexplicable desire to start up a war with the cits would leave his up a war with the cits would leave his up a war with the cits would leave his heirs tied to an unnecessary conflict heirs tied to an unnecessary conflict heirs tied to an unnecessary conflict with the Persians for years that would with the Persians for years that would with the Persians for years that would cost men and resources and at least one cost men and resources and at least one cost men and resources and at least one emperor that that Rome really couldn't emperor that that Rome really couldn't emperor that that Rome really couldn't spare and of course his ill-conceived spare and of course his ill-conceived spare and of course his ill-conceived dynastic plans all but guaranteed a dynastic plans all but guaranteed a dynastic plans all but guaranteed a return to the dark days of Civil return to the dark days of Civil return to the dark days of Civil War Constantine the Great was a great War Constantine the Great was a great War Constantine the Great was a great emperor and easily one of the most emperor and easily one of the most emperor and easily one of the most important figures in all of world important figures in all of world important figures in all of world history but despite the key role he history but despite the key role he history but despite the key role he played in the evolution of the West we played in the evolution of the West we played in the evolution of the West we should not forget that he was also a

should not forget that he was also a should not forget that he was also a flawed man who was fully capable of flawed man who was fully capable of flawed man who was fully capable of making bad choices that his heirs paid making bad choices that his heirs paid making bad choices that his heirs paid for in blood and for in blood and for in blood and treasure some would even go so far as to treasure some would even go so far as to treasure some would even go so far as to trace the fall of the Western Empire trace the fall of the Western Empire trace the fall of the Western Empire right to his doorstep Gibbon's whole right to his doorstep Gibbon's whole right to his doorstep Gibbon's whole thesis for example was that Christianity thesis for example was that Christianity thesis for example was that Christianity was a malignant cancer that eventually was a malignant cancer that eventually was a malignant cancer that eventually killed the killed the killed the Empire I wouldn't go that far because Empire I wouldn't go that far because Empire I wouldn't go that far because nothing Constantine did guaranteed a nothing Constantine did guaranteed a nothing Constantine did guaranteed a catastrophe of that magnitude and some catastrophe of that magnitude and some catastrophe of that magnitude and some of the things he did like furthering the of the things he did like furthering the of the things he did like furthering the germanization of the army only turned germanization of the army only turned germanization of the army only turned out to be bad ideas in retrospect out to be bad ideas in retrospect out to be bad ideas in retrospect because of how his successors handled because of how his successors handled because of how his successors handled the issue not because they were the issue not because they were the issue not because they were inherently bad inherently bad inherently bad ideas Constantine was a complicated man ideas Constantine was a complicated man ideas Constantine was a complicated man who lived in and utterly dominated who lived in and utterly dominated who lived in and utterly dominated complicated times whatever your view of complicated times whatever your view of complicated times whatever your view of the man Noble Christian Saint or the man Noble Christian Saint or the man Noble Christian Saint or Reckless Theocratic Tyrant he changed Reckless Theocratic Tyrant he changed Reckless Theocratic Tyrant he changed the course of world history and for that the course of world history and for that the course of world history and for that reason alone we will never ever stop reason alone we will never ever stop reason alone we will never ever stop talking about him next week we will stop talking about him next week we will stop talking about Constantine instead live and imperson me Constantine instead live and imperson me Constantine instead live and imperson me will be back to discuss the bloody will be back to discuss the bloody will be back to discuss the bloody struggle that erupted between his sons struggle that erupted between his sons struggle that erupted between his sons and nephews the minute the emperor was and nephews the minute the emperor was and nephews the minute the emperor was dead it would take 13 years of strife dead it would take 13 years of strife dead it would take 13 years of strife backstabbing and Discord before the backstabbing and Discord before the backstabbing and Discord before the empire was once again United under a empire was once again United under a empire was once again United under a single man the craftiest and ruthless of single man the craftiest and ruthless of single man the craftiest and ruthless of all Constantine's heirs constantius II

all Constantine's heirs constantius II all Constantine's heirs constantius II [Music] [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 140 My Three episode 140 My Three episode 140 My Three Sons well live and inperson me is back Sons well live and inperson me is back Sons well live and inperson me is back as you know the history of Rome just as you know the history of Rome just as you know the history of Rome just spent the last 5 weeks bouncing back and spent the last 5 weeks bouncing back and spent the last 5 weeks bouncing back and forth between Italy and turkey on the forth between Italy and turkey on the forth between Italy and turkey on the official History of Rome Roman history official History of Rome Roman history official History of Rome Roman history tour it was an absolutely fantastic time tour it was an absolutely fantastic time tour it was an absolutely fantastic time and the answer is yes we are planning to and the answer is yes we are planning to and the answer is yes we are planning to do it again and the sooner the better do it again and the sooner the better do it again and the sooner the better that said there's nothing I hate more that said there's nothing I hate more that said there's nothing I hate more than beating around the bush so let's than beating around the bush so let's than beating around the bush so let's get back into this thing it's been 6 get back into this thing it's been 6 get back into this thing it's been 6 weeks since I last thought about the weeks since I last thought about the weeks since I last thought about the show and I'm dying to find out what show and I'm dying to find out what show and I'm dying to find out what happens happens happens next but there are two minor corrections next but there are two minor corrections next but there are two minor corrections I need to get out of the way before we I need to get out of the way before we I need to get out of the way before we can get on with it first alert listener can get on with it first alert listener can get on with it first alert listener Anthony caught me accidentally reversing Anthony caught me accidentally reversing Anthony caught me accidentally reversing syllables in episode 137 so the syllables in episode 137 so the syllables in episode 137 so the polarizing Deacon who later became the polarizing Deacon who later became the polarizing Deacon who later became the polarizing Bishop of Alexandria should polarizing Bishop of Alexandria should polarizing Bishop of Alexandria should have been aenasius not on Aus sorry

have been aenasius not on Aus sorry have been aenasius not on Aus sorry about that the second mistake is from about that the second mistake is from about that the second mistake is from episode 138 and is quite a bit more episode 138 and is quite a bit more episode 138 and is quite a bit more embarrassing you see what happened is embarrassing you see what happened is embarrassing you see what happened is that I had just gotten misses the that I had just gotten misses the that I had just gotten misses the history of Rome into the reboot of battl history of Rome into the reboot of battl history of Rome into the reboot of battl Star Galactica so we were pretty much Star Galactica so we were pretty much Star Galactica so we were pretty much watching it non-stop at the same time I watching it non-stop at the same time I watching it non-stop at the same time I personally also happen to be watching a personally also happen to be watching a personally also happen to be watching a lot of the HBO Rome series do you see lot of the HBO Rome series do you see lot of the HBO Rome series do you see where this is going unfortunately where this is going unfortunately where this is going unfortunately despite my clear memory to the contrary despite my clear memory to the contrary despite my clear memory to the contrary Saul Tai never did say no one is a Saul Tai never did say no one is a Saul Tai never did say no one is a traitor until they are although it traitor until they are although it traitor until they are although it really really sounds like something he really really sounds like something he really really sounds like something he might say in reality Titus pulo said it might say in reality Titus pulo said it might say in reality Titus pulo said it he said it in Rome season 2 episode 8 a he said it in Rome season 2 episode 8 a he said it in Rome season 2 episode 8 a necessary fiction alert listener Nick necessary fiction alert listener Nick necessary fiction alert listener Nick mentioned in the comment thread that he mentioned in the comment thread that he mentioned in the comment thread that he remembered pulo saying something just remembered pulo saying something just remembered pulo saying something just like that and I immediately knew I had like that and I immediately knew I had like that and I immediately knew I had botched the reference it was an honest botched the reference it was an honest botched the reference it was an honest mistake in a time of great stress and I mistake in a time of great stress and I mistake in a time of great stress and I hope that you will all forgive me hope that you will all forgive me hope that you will all forgive me okay now that all the old business has okay now that all the old business has okay now that all the old business has been dispensed with unless there are any been dispensed with unless there are any been dispensed with unless there are any objections let's move on to new business objections let's move on to new business objections let's move on to new business we left off last time with the death of we left off last time with the death of we left off last time with the death of Constantine on May 22 337 ad this week I Constantine on May 22 337 ad this week I Constantine on May 22 337 ad this week I want to cover how his sons handled the want to cover how his sons handled the want to cover how his sons handled the fact that they were now in charge of the fact that they were now in charge of the fact that they were now in charge of the Empire as we will see they will quickly Empire as we will see they will quickly Empire as we will see they will quickly prove that they are every bit their prove that they are every bit their prove that they are every bit their father's Sons it is difficult to pinpoint exactly Sons it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where the boys were at the moment moment where the boys were at the moment moment where the boys were at the moment moment of their father's death but it appears

of their father's death but it appears of their father's death but it appears that Constantine II the eldest of the that Constantine II the eldest of the that Constantine II the eldest of the three at 21 years old was in the Far three at 21 years old was in the Far three at 21 years old was in the Far West perhaps even as far off as West perhaps even as far off as West perhaps even as far off as Trier Constance the youngest of the Trier Constance the youngest of the Trier Constance the youngest of the three at somewhere between 14 and 17 three at somewhere between 14 and 17 three at somewhere between 14 and 17 years old was likely in panonia or years old was likely in panonia or years old was likely in panonia or Northern Italy while the middle son Northern Italy while the middle son Northern Italy while the middle son 20-year-old constantius II was in the 20-year-old constantius II was in the 20-year-old constantius II was in the Far East readying for a campaign against Far East readying for a campaign against Far East readying for a campaign against the the the cids of the three sons constantius will cids of the three sons constantius will cids of the three sons constantius will prove to be the most cunning decisive prove to be the most cunning decisive prove to be the most cunning decisive and ruthless of them all and this became and ruthless of them all and this became and ruthless of them all and this became apparent right from the very apparent right from the very apparent right from the very beginning dropping everything he rushed beginning dropping everything he rushed beginning dropping everything he rushed back to Constantinople and took it upon back to Constantinople and took it upon back to Constantinople and took it upon himself to immediately oversee the himself to immediately oversee the himself to immediately oversee the funeral and burial of the Dead Emperor funeral and burial of the Dead Emperor funeral and burial of the Dead Emperor before either of his brothers could before either of his brothers could before either of his brothers could arrive and share in The Prestige of arrive and share in The Prestige of arrive and share in The Prestige of presiding over an imperial funeral Savvy presiding over an imperial funeral Savvy presiding over an imperial funeral Savvy play and he was just getting warmed play and he was just getting warmed play and he was just getting warmed up now as we discussed last week up now as we discussed last week up now as we discussed last week Constantine had laid out a fairly Constantine had laid out a fairly Constantine had laid out a fairly detailed succession scheme that involved detailed succession scheme that involved detailed succession scheme that involved splitting up the Empire between his splitting up the Empire between his splitting up the Empire between his three sons and two of his nephews three sons and two of his nephews three sons and two of his nephews dalmatius and Hannibal Onis the latter dalmatius and Hannibal Onis the latter dalmatius and Hannibal Onis the latter was to hold some vague authority over was to hold some vague authority over was to hold some vague authority over the Eastern Borderlands while the former the Eastern Borderlands while the former the Eastern Borderlands while the former was to be granted control of thce was to be granted control of thce was to be granted control of thce Macedonia and AA which is to say dmus Macedonia and AA which is to say dmus Macedonia and AA which is to say dmus was to be in charge of Constantinople was to be in charge of Constantinople was to be in charge of Constantinople itself Scholars have surmised that itself Scholars have surmised that itself Scholars have surmised that Constantine was attempting to set up a Constantine was attempting to set up a Constantine was attempting to set up a sort of neutral zone around the capital sort of neutral zone around the capital sort of neutral zone around the capital so that no one of his sons would be able so that no one of his sons would be able so that no one of his sons would be able to claim it as their own and thus throw

to claim it as their own and thus throw to claim it as their own and thus throw the balance of power out of whack but the balance of power out of whack but the balance of power out of whack but boy was that ever not what happened at boy was that ever not what happened at boy was that ever not what happened at all about 10 minutes after Constantine all about 10 minutes after Constantine all about 10 minutes after Constantine was laid to rest constantius II was laid to rest constantius II was laid to rest constantius II initiated what has since been dubbed the initiated what has since been dubbed the initiated what has since been dubbed the massacre of the princes which was yeah massacre of the princes which was yeah massacre of the princes which was yeah exactly what it sounds like it was a exactly what it sounds like it was a exactly what it sounds like it was a massacre of princes to fully appreciate what princes to fully appreciate what constantius II is about to do we must constantius II is about to do we must constantius II is about to do we must unfortunately turn for a second to the unfortunately turn for a second to the unfortunately turn for a second to the insanely convoluted constantinian family insanely convoluted constantinian family insanely convoluted constantinian family tree which I can assure you is every bit tree which I can assure you is every bit tree which I can assure you is every bit as confusing as the Julio claudian as confusing as the Julio claudian as confusing as the Julio claudian family tree I'll admit that as I parse family tree I'll admit that as I parse family tree I'll admit that as I parse my way through the twists and turns of my way through the twists and turns of my way through the twists and turns of Constantine's extended family I secretly Constantine's extended family I secretly Constantine's extended family I secretly began to thank constantius II for began to thank constantius II for began to thank constantius II for killing half of them off in May 337 just killing half of them off in May 337 just killing half of them off in May 337 just because of how much it simplifies because of how much it simplifies because of how much it simplifies everything as with the Julio audience everything as with the Julio audience everything as with the Julio audience there were two main branches to the there were two main branches to the there were two main branches to the family that were often at subtle odds family that were often at subtle odds family that were often at subtle odds with each other on one side there were with each other on one side there were with each other on one side there were the descendants of constantius and the descendants of constantius and the descendants of constantius and Helena which is to say Constantine the Helena which is to say Constantine the Helena which is to say Constantine the Great and his children and on the other Great and his children and on the other Great and his children and on the other were the descendants of constantius and were the descendants of constantius and were the descendants of constantius and Max siman's daughter Max siman's daughter Max siman's daughter Theodora constant's second marriage Theodora constant's second marriage Theodora constant's second marriage eventually produced three sons and three eventually produced three sons and three eventually produced three sons and three daughters giving Constantine a raft of daughters giving Constantine a raft of daughters giving Constantine a raft of half brothers and sisters to deal with half brothers and sisters to deal with half brothers and sisters to deal with you'll no doubt recall that one of these you'll no doubt recall that one of these you'll no doubt recall that one of these half sisters Constantia was married to half sisters Constantia was married to half sisters Constantia was married to to linius and another Anastasia was to linius and another Anastasia was to linius and another Anastasia was married to the ill-fated basanis who

married to the ill-fated basanis who married to the ill-fated basanis who Constantine executed on trumped up Constantine executed on trumped up Constantine executed on trumped up treason charges as he was preparing a treason charges as he was preparing a treason charges as he was preparing a case for war against case for war against case for war against linius the third sister Utopia wound up linius the third sister Utopia wound up linius the third sister Utopia wound up giving birth to a boy named napus which giving birth to a boy named napus which giving birth to a boy named napus which is noteworthy for two reasons first he is noteworthy for two reasons first he is noteworthy for two reasons first he will show up briefly in 350 ad running a will show up briefly in 350 ad running a will show up briefly in 350 ad running a counter usurpation against magnentius counter usurpation against magnentius counter usurpation against magnentius and second that means that he survived and second that means that he survived and second that means that he survived the massacre of the princes despite all the massacre of the princes despite all the massacre of the princes despite all the talk about how constantius gallus the talk about how constantius gallus the talk about how constantius gallus and Julian were the only males from the and Julian were the only males from the and Julian were the only males from the Theodora side of the family to make it Theodora side of the family to make it Theodora side of the family to make it out out out alive probably he is little noted alive probably he is little noted alive probably he is little noted because he was the son of one of because he was the son of one of because he was the son of one of Constantine's sisters rather than one of Constantine's sisters rather than one of Constantine's sisters rather than one of Constantine's brothers so with Constantine's brothers so with Constantine's brothers so with patriarchal rules applying he just isn't patriarchal rules applying he just isn't patriarchal rules applying he just isn't considered that considered that considered that relevant as for Constantine's half relevant as for Constantine's half relevant as for Constantine's half Brothers the eldest flavius dalmatius Brothers the eldest flavius dalmatius Brothers the eldest flavius dalmatius had at least two sons that we know about had at least two sons that we know about had at least two sons that we know about about and coincidentally enough two sons about and coincidentally enough two sons about and coincidentally enough two sons that you know about too the that you know about too the that you know about too the aforementioned dalmatius and hanbalis aforementioned dalmatius and hanbalis aforementioned dalmatius and hanbalis who were favored Enough by Constantine who were favored Enough by Constantine who were favored Enough by Constantine to be brought into his succession to be brought into his succession to be brought into his succession scheme the second brother Julius scheme the second brother Julius scheme the second brother Julius constantius gave birth to two sons and a constantius gave birth to two sons and a constantius gave birth to two sons and a daughter with his first wife and another daughter with his first wife and another daughter with his first wife and another son with his second wife now I normally son with his second wife now I normally son with his second wife now I normally wouldn't bother getting that deep into wouldn't bother getting that deep into wouldn't bother getting that deep into all of this but the thing is that of all all of this but the thing is that of all all of this but the thing is that of all the males on the Theodora side of the the males on the Theodora side of the the males on the Theodora side of the family not counting panus of course only family not counting panus of course only family not counting panus of course only the youngest sons of Julius constantius the youngest sons of Julius constantius the youngest sons of Julius constantius will manage to survive the massacre of

will manage to survive the massacre of will manage to survive the massacre of the princes 11-year-old constantius the princes 11-year-old constantius the princes 11-year-old constantius gallus and five or six-year-old flavius gallus and five or six-year-old flavius gallus and five or six-year-old flavius Claudius Claudius Claudius julianus the future Emperor Julian the julianus the future Emperor Julian the julianus the future Emperor Julian the apostate so sorry for throwing all of apostate so sorry for throwing all of apostate so sorry for throwing all of this mind-numbing lineage at you but I this mind-numbing lineage at you but I this mind-numbing lineage at you but I wanted to at least introduce these boys wanted to at least introduce these boys wanted to at least introduce these boys so you know how exactly they come by so you know how exactly they come by so you know how exactly they come by their future Imperial their future Imperial their future Imperial dignities the the last of Constantine's dignities the the last of Constantine's dignities the the last of Constantine's half Brothers was an elder hanbalis who half Brothers was an elder hanbalis who half Brothers was an elder hanbalis who was probably dead by this point so just was probably dead by this point so just was probably dead by this point so just forget about him he will not be on the forget about him he will not be on the forget about him he will not be on the test over the course of his Reign test over the course of his Reign test over the course of his Reign Constantine had brought in all of these Constantine had brought in all of these Constantine had brought in all of these half brothers and sisters into his half brothers and sisters into his half brothers and sisters into his imperial system doing out key imperial system doing out key imperial system doing out key assignments to the brothers and key assignments to the brothers and key assignments to the brothers and key marriages to the marriages to the marriages to the sisters constantius and Theodora had sisters constantius and Theodora had sisters constantius and Theodora had started up their family about 20 years started up their family about 20 years started up their family about 20 years after Constantine had been born so when after Constantine had been born so when after Constantine had been born so when the emperor kicked the bucket in 337 all the emperor kicked the bucket in 337 all the emperor kicked the bucket in 337 all of these brothers and sisters were in of these brothers and sisters were in of these brothers and sisters were in their late 30s and early 40s in other their late 30s and early 40s in other their late 30s and early 40s in other words entering the prime of their lives words entering the prime of their lives words entering the prime of their lives ready willing and able to take on a ready willing and able to take on a ready willing and able to take on a greater role in government and help greater role in government and help greater role in government and help steer The Fortunes of the Next steer The Fortunes of the Next steer The Fortunes of the Next Generation the generation that had been Generation the generation that had been Generation the generation that had been granted formal Authority by granted formal Authority by granted formal Authority by Constantine but constantius the second Constantine but constantius the second Constantine but constantius the second had no interest in playing nice with the had no interest in playing nice with the had no interest in playing nice with the other other other children with the whole of Theodore children with the whole of Theodore children with the whole of Theodore extended family present in extended family present in extended family present in Constantinople for the funeral Constantinople for the funeral Constantinople for the funeral constantius II saw an opportunity to constantius II saw an opportunity to constantius II saw an opportunity to secure Undisputed power for himself and

secure Undisputed power for himself and secure Undisputed power for himself and his brothers and he took his brothers and he took his brothers and he took it though the details are sketchy it it though the details are sketchy it it though the details are sketchy it appears that over the course of one or appears that over the course of one or appears that over the course of one or two bloody days constantius ordered his two bloody days constantius ordered his two bloody days constantius ordered his uncles and cousins seized and uncles and cousins seized and uncles and cousins seized and executed their alleged crime nothing executed their alleged crime nothing executed their alleged crime nothing less than the assassination of less than the assassination of less than the assassination of Constantine the Constantine the Constantine the Great some contrived evidence was put Great some contrived evidence was put Great some contrived evidence was put forth to support the charge but other forth to support the charge but other forth to support the charge but other than that there was nothing resembling than that there was nothing resembling than that there was nothing resembling due due due process all in all nine men from process all in all nine men from process all in all nine men from Theodora side of the family were killed Theodora side of the family were killed Theodora side of the family were killed and this of course included dalmatius and this of course included dalmatius and this of course included dalmatius and Hannah balanis the young men who and Hannah balanis the young men who and Hannah balanis the young men who were supposed to share power with were supposed to share power with were supposed to share power with constantius and his constantius and his constantius and his brothers as I just said not counting brothers as I just said not counting brothers as I just said not counting napus of course young constantius gallus napus of course young constantius gallus napus of course young constantius gallus and Julian were the only ones spared due and Julian were the only ones spared due and Julian were the only ones spared due entirely to the fact that they were entirely to the fact that they were entirely to the fact that they were merely merely merely children but don't worry Galo 2 will children but don't worry Galo 2 will children but don't worry Galo 2 will eventually join his family by dying at eventually join his family by dying at eventually join his family by dying at constantius is order in constantius is order in constantius is order in 354 in the end only Julian Will Survive 354 in the end only Julian Will Survive 354 in the end only Julian Will Survive constantius is wrath and it's possible constantius is wrath and it's possible constantius is wrath and it's possible that was only because constantius died that was only because constantius died that was only because constantius died before he could get around to killing Julian so far as I can tell Julian so far as I can tell Constantine's middle son faced no Constantine's middle son faced no Constantine's middle son faced no long-term repercussions for having long-term repercussions for having long-term repercussions for having ordered a purge of his extended family ordered a purge of his extended family ordered a purge of his extended family and the Empire simply accepted that that and the Empire simply accepted that that and the Empire simply accepted that that was the way things wi was the way things wi was the way things wi sometimes that and whoever might be sometimes that and whoever might be sometimes that and whoever might be inclined to dissent just got put on inclined to dissent just got put on inclined to dissent just got put on notice that maybe criticizing the new notice that maybe criticizing the new notice that maybe criticizing the new emperor was bad for your

emperor was bad for your emperor was bad for your health before we move off this though I health before we move off this though I health before we move off this though I should mention that there is another should mention that there is another should mention that there is another version of all this that depicts version of all this that depicts version of all this that depicts constantius as merely allowing the constantius as merely allowing the constantius as merely allowing the massacre to happen rather than ordering massacre to happen rather than ordering massacre to happen rather than ordering it it it himself that is the palace troops himself that is the palace troops himself that is the palace troops detested Theodora side of the family so detested Theodora side of the family so detested Theodora side of the family so much that they were just itching to much that they were just itching to much that they were just itching to murder them all and when Constantine murder them all and when Constantine murder them all and when Constantine died constantius II simply allowed their died constantius II simply allowed their died constantius II simply allowed their passions to run passions to run passions to run wild but given every other paranoid and wild but given every other paranoid and wild but given every other paranoid and ruthless thing he did with his life I am ruthless thing he did with his life I am ruthless thing he did with his life I am not at all opposed to laying blame not at all opposed to laying blame not at all opposed to laying blame squarely at the Young Prince's doorstep squarely at the Young Prince's doorstep squarely at the Young Prince's doorstep it is in perfect keeping with all of it is in perfect keeping with all of it is in perfect keeping with all of constantius is later Tendencies his two brothers for their Tendencies his two brothers for their part did not seem at all concerned about part did not seem at all concerned about part did not seem at all concerned about the massacre and when the three of them the massacre and when the three of them the massacre and when the three of them met a few months later in serium they met a few months later in serium they met a few months later in serium they did not engage in any hand ringing over did not engage in any hand ringing over did not engage in any hand ringing over the murders so much as Focus intently on the murders so much as Focus intently on the murders so much as Focus intently on how best to divide the Empire between how best to divide the Empire between how best to divide the Empire between them the map they agreed to adhered them the map they agreed to adhered them the map they agreed to adhered mostly to their father's boundary lines mostly to their father's boundary lines mostly to their father's boundary lines with Constantine II receiving the Far with Constantine II receiving the Far with Constantine II receiving the Far Western provinces of Gaul Britannia Western provinces of Gaul Britannia Western provinces of Gaul Britannia hispania and hispania and hispania and morania constantius holding all of the morania constantius holding all of the morania constantius holding all of the Eastern provinces plus thce which means Eastern provinces plus thce which means Eastern provinces plus thce which means he gets Constantinople another Savvy he gets Constantinople another Savvy he gets Constantinople another Savvy play and holding Italy ayia Macedonia AA play and holding Italy ayia Macedonia AA play and holding Italy ayia Macedonia AA and the middle African and the middle African and the middle African provinces however since he was no older provinces however since he was no older provinces however since he was no older than 17 at this point and possibly as than 17 at this point and possibly as than 17 at this point and possibly as young as 14 constant was forced to

young as 14 constant was forced to young as 14 constant was forced to accept that Constantine II would be his accept that Constantine II would be his accept that Constantine II would be his guardian and hold a super authority over guardian and hold a super authority over guardian and hold a super authority over his territories until young constants his territories until young constants his territories until young constants came of came of came of age the youngest of Constantine sons was age the youngest of Constantine sons was age the youngest of Constantine sons was no doubt annoyed by this but he gave in no doubt annoyed by this but he gave in no doubt annoyed by this but he gave in knowing that he would not have to wait knowing that he would not have to wait knowing that he would not have to wait long to be considered their equal after long to be considered their equal after long to be considered their equal after all his brothers were only 21 and 20 all his brothers were only 21 and 20 all his brothers were only 21 and 20 respectively in other words not really respectively in other words not really respectively in other words not really much older than he was right then so much older than he was right then so much older than he was right then so it's not like they were going to be it's not like they were going to be it's not like they were going to be bossing him around for bossing him around for bossing him around for long emerging from the meeting the three long emerging from the meeting the three long emerging from the meeting the three sons of Constantine were officially sons of Constantine were officially sons of Constantine were officially hailed as co- Austy by the assembled hailed as co- Austy by the assembled hailed as co- Austy by the assembled troops and then they marched off to troops and then they marched off to troops and then they marched off to govern their respective provinces for govern their respective provinces for govern their respective provinces for constantius this meant heading straight constantius this meant heading straight constantius this meant heading straight for the Syrian for the Syrian for the Syrian border you'll recall from last week that border you'll recall from last week that border you'll recall from last week that in the final years of his Reign in the final years of his Reign in the final years of his Reign Constantine inexplicably began to Constantine inexplicably began to Constantine inexplicably began to provoke a war with the cits which as you provoke a war with the cits which as you provoke a war with the cits which as you can imagine they did not take kindly to can imagine they did not take kindly to can imagine they did not take kindly to now that some untested punks were in now that some untested punks were in now that some untested punks were in charge of the Empire the Persians charge of the Empire the Persians charge of the Empire the Persians decided that now was a pretty good time decided that now was a pretty good time decided that now was a pretty good time to punch the Romans in the nose and to punch the Romans in the nose and to punch the Romans in the nose and maybe remind them why dayon in the East maybe remind them why dayon in the East maybe remind them why dayon in the East was Far preferable to was Far preferable to was Far preferable to war so they started attacking Roman war so they started attacking Roman war so they started attacking Roman positions and off constantius went to positions and off constantius went to positions and off constantius went to try to stop them try to stop them try to stop them we don't have a particularly good record we don't have a particularly good record we don't have a particularly good record of the subsequent campaign but it of the subsequent campaign but it of the subsequent campaign but it appears that in the beginning at least appears that in the beginning at least appears that in the beginning at least constantius was repeatedly beaten and constantius was repeatedly beaten and constantius was repeatedly beaten and forced to scramble around a bit before forced to scramble around a bit before forced to scramble around a bit before he was able to find his sea legs he was able to find his sea legs he was able to find his sea legs although nothing resembling a decisive

although nothing resembling a decisive although nothing resembling a decisive encounter ever took encounter ever took encounter ever took place meanwhile back in the west place meanwhile back in the west place meanwhile back in the west Constantine II set up court in Trier and Constantine II set up court in Trier and Constantine II set up court in Trier and began surveying the territory that he began surveying the territory that he began surveying the territory that he now now now controlled but when he surveyed the controlled but when he surveyed the controlled but when he surveyed the territory he now controlled he quickly territory he now controlled he quickly territory he now controlled he quickly became convinced that he had been short became convinced that he had been short became convinced that he had been short changed I'm not sure why he didn't just changed I'm not sure why he didn't just changed I'm not sure why he didn't just speak up during the meeting in serium speak up during the meeting in serium speak up during the meeting in serium when this was all being hashed out to when this was all being hashed out to when this was all being hashed out to begin with but he didn't and so it's not begin with but he didn't and so it's not begin with but he didn't and so it's not until the winter of 337 338 that we until the winter of 337 338 that we until the winter of 337 338 that we begin to hear Constantine complaining begin to hear Constantine complaining begin to hear Constantine complaining that he deserved a bigger share of the that he deserved a bigger share of the that he deserved a bigger share of the Empire because after all he was the Empire because after all he was the Empire because after all he was the oldest oldest oldest brother one possible explanation is that brother one possible explanation is that brother one possible explanation is that Constantine was under the impression Constantine was under the impression Constantine was under the impression that he he would be able to dominate that he he would be able to dominate that he he would be able to dominate constant forever and so he had mentally constant forever and so he had mentally constant forever and so he had mentally lumped his youngest brother's territory lumped his youngest brother's territory lumped his youngest brother's territory in with his own but after learning that in with his own but after learning that in with his own but after learning that Constance had no intention of being Constance had no intention of being Constance had no intention of being dominated by anyone Constantine suddenly dominated by anyone Constantine suddenly dominated by anyone Constantine suddenly decided he wanted more territory to call decided he wanted more territory to call decided he wanted more territory to call explicitly his explicitly his explicitly his own so he demanded that constant own so he demanded that constant own so he demanded that constant immediately seed all the African immediately seed all the African immediately seed all the African provinces this request was naturally met provinces this request was naturally met provinces this request was naturally met with some push back by Young constant with some push back by Young constant with some push back by Young constant but not so much at this point that war but not so much at this point that war but not so much at this point that war between the two brothers was inevitable between the two brothers was inevitable between the two brothers was inevitable they agreed to meet later in 338 to they agreed to meet later in 338 to they agreed to meet later in 338 to discuss the discuss the discuss the situation in between coming to power in situation in between coming to power in situation in between coming to power in the summit with constant there was one the summit with constant there was one the summit with constant there was one matter of consequence that Constantine matter of consequence that Constantine matter of consequence that Constantine II weighed in on and it has to do with

II weighed in on and it has to do with II weighed in on and it has to do with our old friend our old friend our old friend athanasius after bursting onto the scene athanasius after bursting onto the scene athanasius after bursting onto the scene as a fierce antarian Deacon during the as a fierce antarian Deacon during the as a fierce antarian Deacon during the runup to the Council of NAA athanasius runup to the Council of NAA athanasius runup to the Council of NAA athanasius had since succeeded Alex Ander to the had since succeeded Alex Ander to the had since succeeded Alex Ander to the bishop rck of Alexandria ignoring age bishop rck of Alexandria ignoring age bishop rck of Alexandria ignoring age requirements and proper electoral requirements and proper electoral requirements and proper electoral procedure to get there by the way and procedure to get there by the way and procedure to get there by the way and then he used his new powers to come down then he used his new powers to come down then he used his new powers to come down hard on those who strayed from the naan hard on those who strayed from the naan hard on those who strayed from the naan Orthodoxy his methods were often Orthodoxy his methods were often Orthodoxy his methods were often denounced by his enemies within the denounced by his enemies within the denounced by his enemies within the church and by 335 he was more or less church and by 335 he was more or less church and by 335 he was more or less dragged in front of Constantine the dragged in front of Constantine the dragged in front of Constantine the Great to answer a laundry list of Great to answer a laundry list of Great to answer a laundry list of charges including destruction of church charges including destruction of church charges including destruction of church property and the murder of a rival property and the murder of a rival property and the murder of a rival Bishop aenasius wound up being cleared Bishop aenasius wound up being cleared Bishop aenasius wound up being cleared out all the charges except for an out all the charges except for an out all the charges except for an alleged threat he had made to cut off alleged threat he had made to cut off alleged threat he had made to cut off the Egyptian grain Supply to the Egyptian grain Supply to the Egyptian grain Supply to Constantinople you can do a lot of Constantinople you can do a lot of Constantinople you can do a lot of things in this life but you do not even things in this life but you do not even things in this life but you do not even hint that you're going to mess with the hint that you're going to mess with the hint that you're going to mess with the grain Supply from grain Supply from grain Supply from Egypt Constantine ordered the polarizing Egypt Constantine ordered the polarizing Egypt Constantine ordered the polarizing Bishop banish to Bishop banish to Bishop banish to Gaul after Constantine's death the pro- Gaul after Constantine's death the pro- Gaul after Constantine's death the pro- Orthodoxy Western Bishops began to Orthodoxy Western Bishops began to Orthodoxy Western Bishops began to petition Constantine II to allow petition Constantine II to allow petition Constantine II to allow athanasius to return to his post in athanasius to return to his post in athanasius to return to his post in Alexandria seeing a golden opportunity Alexandria seeing a golden opportunity Alexandria seeing a golden opportunity to establish friendly relations with the to establish friendly relations with the to establish friendly relations with the Christian leadership in his provinces Christian leadership in his provinces Christian leadership in his provinces Constantine II canel athanasius's Exile Constantine II canel athanasius's Exile Constantine II canel athanasius's Exile and granted his request for Return and granted his request for Return and granted his request for Return Passage to Egypt now the various Exiles and returns

Egypt now the various Exiles and returns from Exile that this controversial from Exile that this controversial from Exile that this controversial Bishop endured during his life I think Bishop endured during his life I think Bishop endured during his life I think there were like five total rounds in all there were like five total rounds in all there were like five total rounds in all would be important to document for a would be important to document for a would be important to document for a comprehensive history of the church but comprehensive history of the church but comprehensive history of the church but that's not exactly what we're doing here that's not exactly what we're doing here that's not exactly what we're doing here so the big takeaway from all of this is so the big takeaway from all of this is so the big takeaway from all of this is that we must understand how much that we must understand how much that we must understand how much Constantine II's decision to free Constantine II's decision to free Constantine II's decision to free athanasius annoyed his brother athanasius annoyed his brother athanasius annoyed his brother constantius constantius constantius thei because constantius was wait for it thei because constantius was wait for it thei because constantius was wait for it a staunch a staunch a staunch Aryan so just over a decade had passed Aryan so just over a decade had passed Aryan so just over a decade had passed since Constantine had made Christianity since Constantine had made Christianity since Constantine had made Christianity the religion of the Emperors and already the religion of the Emperors and already the religion of the Emperors and already doctrinal disputes were percolating doctrinal disputes were percolating doctrinal disputes were percolating their way up into the Imperial their way up into the Imperial their way up into the Imperial Court almost from the start then Court almost from the start then Court almost from the start then Constantine's dream of one Church Constantine's dream of one Church Constantine's dream of one Church supporting one Emperor turned out to be supporting one Emperor turned out to be supporting one Emperor turned out to be something of a pipe dream as rival something of a pipe dream as rival something of a pipe dream as rival factions within the church were now factions within the church were now factions within the church were now supporting rival factions within the supporting rival factions within the supporting rival factions within the Imperial family each side was Playing Imperial family each side was Playing Imperial family each side was Playing for Keeps and one side had just for Keeps and one side had just for Keeps and one side had just convinced Constantine II to let an convinced Constantine II to let an convinced Constantine II to let an almost certainly seditious leader loose almost certainly seditious leader loose almost certainly seditious leader loose in constantius is their enemies domain in constantius is their enemies domain in constantius is their enemies domain constantius was not at all happy about constantius was not at all happy about constantius was not at all happy about this it's an issue that likely would this it's an issue that likely would this it's an issue that likely would have come to a head eventually but at have come to a head eventually but at have come to a head eventually but at that particular moment constantius was that particular moment constantius was that particular moment constantius was bogged down fighting an inconclusive war bogged down fighting an inconclusive war bogged down fighting an inconclusive war against the sanid and Constantine II was against the sanid and Constantine II was against the sanid and Constantine II was about to find out just how little about to find out just how little about to find out just how little constant was willing to be pushed around constant was willing to be pushed around constant was willing to be pushed around so they didn't have time to have it out

so they didn't have time to have it out so they didn't have time to have it out over aenasius in 338 the eldest and youngest of the in 338 the eldest and youngest of the three Brothers met in moesia to reassess three Brothers met in moesia to reassess three Brothers met in moesia to reassess their respective borders and it appears their respective borders and it appears their respective borders and it appears that constant at least face to face was that constant at least face to face was that constant at least face to face was willing to concede the issue his older willing to concede the issue his older willing to concede the issue his older brother's rhetoric was getting Mighty brother's rhetoric was getting Mighty brother's rhetoric was getting Mighty bellicose so constant agreed to hand bellicose so constant agreed to hand bellicose so constant agreed to hand over the African provinces to over the African provinces to over the African provinces to Constantine in the interest of Imperial Constantine in the interest of Imperial Constantine in the interest of Imperial Unity at least that's what he Unity at least that's what he Unity at least that's what he said in practice he was not going to go said in practice he was not going to go said in practice he was not going to go down that down that down that easy for all of the rest of 338 the two easy for all of the rest of 338 the two easy for all of the rest of 338 the two brothers went off and defend defended brothers went off and defend defended brothers went off and defend defended their Frontiers constant campaigned their Frontiers constant campaigned their Frontiers constant campaigned along the danu against the sarmatians along the danu against the sarmatians along the danu against the sarmatians and Constantine campaigned against the and Constantine campaigned against the and Constantine campaigned against the alaman along the alaman along the alaman along the Ry but as 338 gave way to 339 the Ry but as 338 gave way to 339 the Ry but as 338 gave way to 339 the African provinces had still not been African provinces had still not been African provinces had still not been handed over to Constantine as per the handed over to Constantine as per the handed over to Constantine as per the agreement Constantine complained which agreement Constantine complained which agreement Constantine complained which prompted Constance to finally begin the prompted Constance to finally begin the prompted Constance to finally begin the administrative administrative administrative Handover but even then he told his Handover but even then he told his Handover but even then he told his brother that the city of Carthage and brother that the city of Carthage and brother that the city of Carthage and most of its surrounding territory was most of its surrounding territory was most of its surrounding territory was not going to be handed over that land not going to be handed over that land not going to be handed over that land Constance announced was henceforth to be Constance announced was henceforth to be Constance announced was henceforth to be considered a part of considered a part of considered a part of Italia now of course on the one hand Italia now of course on the one hand Italia now of course on the one hand that makes no kind of sense but on the that makes no kind of sense but on the that makes no kind of sense but on the other hand it makes perfect other hand it makes perfect other hand it makes perfect sense that part of the North African sense that part of the North African sense that part of the North African Coast was the key supplier of grain to Coast was the key supplier of grain to Coast was the key supplier of grain to Italy giving up control of it meant Italy giving up control of it meant Italy giving up control of it meant giving up any hope of

giving up any hope of giving up any hope of self-sufficiency from a geographic point self-sufficiency from a geographic point self-sufficiency from a geographic point of view arguing that Carthage was a part of view arguing that Carthage was a part of view arguing that Carthage was a part of Italy was and is of Italy was and is of Italy was and is insane but from a military and political insane but from a military and political insane but from a military and political point of view that section of the North point of view that section of the North point of view that section of the North African Coast had to be considered a African Coast had to be considered a African Coast had to be considered a part of Italy in the ensuing back and forth Italy in the ensuing back and forth Constantine pointed out that arguing Constantine pointed out that arguing Constantine pointed out that arguing Carthage wasn't a part of Africa was Carthage wasn't a part of Africa was Carthage wasn't a part of Africa was insane and Constance pointed out that he insane and Constance pointed out that he insane and Constance pointed out that he didn't really care because he wasn't didn't really care because he wasn't didn't really care because he wasn't going to give up going to give up going to give up Carthage Constantine tried to play the I Carthage Constantine tried to play the I Carthage Constantine tried to play the I am technically still your guardian so do am technically still your guardian so do am technically still your guardian so do what I say card and constant countered what I say card and constant countered what I say card and constant countered with his you know I'm an adult now and with his you know I'm an adult now and with his you know I'm an adult now and you can't tell me what to do you can't tell me what to do you can't tell me what to do card as 339 gave way to 340 the issue card as 339 gave way to 340 the issue card as 339 gave way to 340 the issue had still not been resolved and tensions had still not been resolved and tensions had still not been resolved and tensions were were were Rising Constantine eventually became so Rising Constantine eventually became so Rising Constantine eventually became so angry over constant's stonewalling that angry over constant's stonewalling that angry over constant's stonewalling that he decided to take the ultimate step as he decided to take the ultimate step as he decided to take the ultimate step as the eldest brother he could only allow the eldest brother he could only allow the eldest brother he could only allow so much disrespect before honor and so much disrespect before honor and so much disrespect before honor and dignity required that he do something dignity required that he do something dignity required that he do something about about about it with Constance busy on the danu it with Constance busy on the danu it with Constance busy on the danu campaigning once again against the campaigning once again against the campaigning once again against the sarmatians Constantine II was ordered by sarmatians Constantine II was ordered by sarmatians Constantine II was ordered by dignity and honor to invade Italy word of the invasion reached Italy word of the invasion reached Constance at his dasan headquarters and Constance at his dasan headquarters and Constance at his dasan headquarters and he immediately dispatched a company of he immediately dispatched a company of he immediately dispatched a company of his best troops to keep Constantine busy his best troops to keep Constantine busy his best troops to keep Constantine busy until Constance could extract himself until Constance could extract himself until Constance could extract himself safely from his Northern campaign and

safely from his Northern campaign and safely from his Northern campaign and come have it out with his brother in come have it out with his brother in come have it out with his brother in person but there never would be any need person but there never would be any need person but there never would be any need for him to come shortly after invading for him to come shortly after invading for him to come shortly after invading Constantine was running an operation Constantine was running an operation Constantine was running an operation near aquala when he was ambushed by near aquala when he was ambushed by near aquala when he was ambushed by enemy forces in the ensuing fight enemy forces in the ensuing fight enemy forces in the ensuing fight Constantine II was killed he was 24 Constantine II was killed he was 24 Constantine II was killed he was 24 years old and had been an Augustus for years old and had been an Augustus for years old and had been an Augustus for just about 3 just about 3 just about 3 years it is probably too strained an years it is probably too strained an years it is probably too strained an analogy to call Constantine II the Fredo analogy to call Constantine II the Fredo analogy to call Constantine II the Fredo of the family but between his failure to of the family but between his failure to of the family but between his failure to take charge after the death of his take charge after the death of his take charge after the death of his father to his acques ing to a power father to his acques ing to a power father to his acques ing to a power sharing agreement that didn't favor him sharing agreement that didn't favor him sharing agreement that didn't favor him to his whining about said power sharing to his whining about said power sharing to his whining about said power sharing agreement after the fact and finally to agreement after the fact and finally to agreement after the fact and finally to his botched Invasion that led to his his botched Invasion that led to his his botched Invasion that led to his death Constantine II does not really death Constantine II does not really death Constantine II does not really jump out and say I was a great leader jump out and say I was a great leader jump out and say I was a great leader cut down before my time more like I'm cut down before my time more like I'm cut down before my time more like I'm not really the equal of my brothers not really the equal of my brothers not really the equal of my brothers politically or militarily and it was politically or militarily and it was politically or militarily and it was just a matter of time before something just a matter of time before something just a matter of time before something like this happened to me dead on the like this happened to me dead on the like this happened to me dead on the battlefield or dead in a rowboat I think battlefield or dead in a rowboat I think battlefield or dead in a rowboat I think that's where Constantine II was headed that's where Constantine II was headed that's where Constantine II was headed from day from day from day one in a mirror to the reaction of his one in a mirror to the reaction of his one in a mirror to the reaction of his brothers following the massacre of the brothers following the massacre of the brothers following the massacre of the princes this time it was constantius who princes this time it was constantius who princes this time it was constantius who found himself taking the news of a found himself taking the news of a found himself taking the news of a family member being killed off in stride family member being killed off in stride family member being killed off in stride in the brutally unsentimental World in the brutally unsentimental World in the brutally unsentimental World Constantine's Sons had been raised in Constantine's Sons had been raised in Constantine's Sons had been raised in the loss of a brother was not seen as the loss of a brother was not seen as the loss of a brother was not seen as the loss of a brother so much as the the loss of a brother so much as the the loss of a brother so much as the elimination of a elimination of a elimination of a rival now the empire was neatly divided

rival now the empire was neatly divided rival now the empire was neatly divided in two between constantius and constants in two between constantius and constants in two between constantius and constants a much more satisfying State of Affairs a much more satisfying State of Affairs a much more satisfying State of Affairs for both of them than the unwieldy for both of them than the unwieldy for both of them than the unwieldy five-way split that their father had five-way split that their father had five-way split that their father had left him with and the three-way split left him with and the three-way split left him with and the three-way split that they had just dealt that they had just dealt that they had just dealt with I have no doubt that each Harbor with I have no doubt that each Harbor with I have no doubt that each Harbor dreams of winning sole control of the dreams of winning sole control of the dreams of winning sole control of the Empire but for now each was fine to let Empire but for now each was fine to let Empire but for now each was fine to let the other have his half Constance ruled the other have his half Constance ruled the other have his half Constance ruled the west and constantius the the west and constantius the the west and constantius the East it was a power sharing agreement East it was a power sharing agreement East it was a power sharing agreement that would last for a full full decade that would last for a full full decade that would last for a full full decade and though they came close was also a and though they came close was also a and though they came close was also a power sharing agreement that never power sharing agreement that never power sharing agreement that never devolved into open devolved into open devolved into open war in the end it was constant's loss of war in the end it was constant's loss of war in the end it was constant's loss of support amongst the men of the Ryan support amongst the men of the Ryan support amongst the men of the Ryan Legions that did him in rather than the Legions that did him in rather than the Legions that did him in rather than the machinations of his Machiavellian brother next week we will push on to brother next week we will push on to that fateful year of 35 ad and watch as that fateful year of 35 ad and watch as that fateful year of 35 ad and watch as constant falls magnentius Rises and constant falls magnentius Rises and constant falls magnentius Rises and nepus makes his Ador hor able little bit nepus makes his Ador hor able little bit nepus makes his Ador hor able little bit for power for power for power [Music]