The Life Of Constantine

The Emperor Flavius Valerius Constantinus, surnamed the Great, [2992] born February 27, 272 or 274, [2993] at Naïssus, [2994] was son of Constantius Chlorus, afterwards Emperor, [2995] and Helena his wife. [2996] He was brought up at Drepanum, his mother's home, [2997] where he remained until his father became Cæsar (a.d.292 acc. to Clinton) and divorced Helena (Anon. Vales. p.471). He was then sent to the court of Diocletian, nominally to be educated (Praxagoras, in Müller, Fragm.4 (1868); Zonar.13.1, &c.), but really as hostage, [2998] and remained with Diocletian, or Galerius, until the year 306. [2999] During this time he took part in various campaigns, including the famous Egyptian expedition of Diocletian in 296 (Euseb. V. C.1.19; Anon. Metroph., Theoph. p.10). [3000] Shortly after joining the emperor he contracted (296 or 297) his alliance with Minervina, [3001] by whom he had a son, Crispus. [3002] He was at Nicomedia when Diocletian's palace was struck by lightning (Const. Orat.35), and was present at the abdication of Diocletian and Maximinus in 305 (Lact. De M. P. c.18 sq.). This last event proved a crisis for Constantine. He had grown to be a man of fine physique (Lact. c.18; Euseb. V. C.1.19), of proved courage and military skill (cf. remarks on physical characteristics under Character), and a general favorite (Lact. l.c.). He had already "long before" (Lact. c.18) been created Tribune of the first order. It was both natural and fitting that at this time he should become Cæsar in the place of his father, who became Augustus. Every one supposed he would be chosen (c.19), and Diocletian urged it (c.18), but the princely youth was too able and illustrious to please Galerius, and Constantine was set aside for obscure and incompetent men (cf. Lact.). His position was far from easy before. His brilliant parts naturally aroused the jealousy and suspicions of the emperors. They, or at least Galerius, even sought his death, it is said, by tempting him to fight wild beasts (a lion, Praxag. p.3; cf. Zonaras 2, p.623), or exposing him to special danger in battle (cf. Philistog.1.6; Lact. c.24; Anon. Vales. p.471; Theophanes p.10-12, &c.). The situation, hard enough before, now became, we may well believe, intolerable. He was humiliated, handicapped, and even in danger of his life. He was practically a prisoner. The problem was, how to get away. Several times Constantius asked that his son might be allowed to join him, but in vain (Lact. c.24; Anon. Vales. p.471). Finally, however, Constantine gained a grudging permission to go. It was given at night, and the emperor intended to take it back in the morning (Lact. c.24). But in the morning it was too late. Constantine had left at once to join his father. He lost no time either in starting or making the journey. Each relay of post horses which he left was maimed to baffle pursuit (Anon. Vales., Vict. Epit. p.49; cf. Lact. c.24, Praxag. p.3). The rage of the emperor when he learned of the flight was great but vain. Constantine was already out of reach, and soon joined his father at Bononia (Boulogne, Anon. Vales.; cf. Eumen. Paneg. (310), c.7), [3003] just in time to accompany him on his final expeditions to Britain (Eumen. Paneg. (310) c.7; cf. Anon. Vales. l.c.). Constantius died shortly after at York (Anon. Vales. p.471; Eutrop.10.1), having named Constantine as his successor (Euseb. V. C.1.21; Eumen. Paneg. (310) c.7.; Lact. c.24).