Eusebius on the Vision and Victory of Constantine I (The Great)

(312)

Eusebius

Eusebius. Life of Constantine, I. Translated by Colm Luibhéid.

Eusebius. History of the Church. Translated by Colm Luibhéid.

Eusebius was a Christian historian who believed that Earth mirrored heaven. Therefore, God simultaneously designed the Roman Empire and the Christian Church. The "Roman Peace" of the Empire was a pale precursor to the heavenly peace of Christ.

Eusebius wrote of Constantine I's decision to adopt Christianity within the context of Constantine's conflict with Maxentius. This contest for control of Rome and the Italian peninsula in 312 C.E. culminated in Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge.

Eusebius' description must be regarded as controversial. Constantine himself never mentioned his "vision" to anyone (other than, obviously, Eusebius, who did meet Constantine at the Council of Nicea in 325). Whatever its historical accuracy, the vision nevertheless marks a watershed in world history. Although Constantine himself would not be baptized for many years after the "vision," he did issue the Edict of Milan within one year of the battle, granting Christianity legitimate status throughout the Empire.

The Vision of Constantine I the Great

Now, Constantine looked upon all the world as one vast body. But he observed that the head of it all, the imperial city of the Roman Empire, was oppressed by a tyrannous slavery. He had at first left the task of its protection to the rulers of the other parts of the Empire. After all, they were older than he was. But when none of these was able to provide help, when those attempting to do so were stopped in a disastrous manner, he declared that life was not worth living as long as he saw the imperial city thus afflicted. He therefore began preparations to overthrow the tyranny.

He knew well that he needed more powerful help than he could get from his army. This was on account of the evil practices and magical tricks which were so favored by the tyrant. Constantine therefore sought the help of God. Armed men and soldiers were of secondary importance when compared with God's aid, he believed, and he considered that the assistance of God was invincible and unshakable. But on which god could he depend as an ally? That was his problem. As he pondered the question, a thought occurred to him. Of his numerous imperial predecessors, those who had put their hopes in a multitude of gods and had served them with libations and sacrificial offerings were first of all deceived by flattering prophecies, by oracles promising success to them, and still had come to a bad end. None of their gods stood by them or warned them of the catastrophe about to afflict them. On the other hand, his own father, who had been the only one to follow the opposite course and denounce their error, had given honor to almighty God throughout his life and had found in Him a savior, a protector of his Empire, and the provider of all good things.

As he pondered this matter, he reflected that those who had trusted in a multitude of gods had been brought low by many forms of death. They had left neither family nor offspring, stock, name, nor memorial among men. But the God of his father had given him clear and numerous indications of His power. Constantine furthermore considered the fact that those who had earlier sought to campaign against the tyrant and had gone to battle accompanied by a great number of gods had suffered a disgraceful end. One of them shamefully retreated from an encounter without striking a blow. The other was fair game for death and was killed among his own soldiers. Constantine thought of all these things, and decided that it would be stupid to join in the empty worship of those who were no gods and to stray from truth after observing all this positive evidence. He decided that only the God of his father ought to be worshiped.

He prayed to Him, therefore. He asked Him and besought Him to say Who He was and to stretch forth a hand to him in his present situation. As he prayed in this fashion and as he earnestly gave voice to his entreaties, a most marvelous sign appeared to the Emperor from God. It would have been hard to believe if anyone else had spoken of it. But a long time later the triumphant Emperor himself described it to the writer of this work. This was when I had the honor of knowing him and of being in his company. When he told me the story, he swore to its truth. And who could refuse to believe it, especially when later evidence showed it to have been genuine?

Around noontime, when the day was already beginning to decline, he saw before him in the sky the sign of a cross of light. He said it was above the sun and it bore the inscription, "Conquer with this." The vision astounded him, as it astounded the whole army which was with him on this expedition and which also beheld the miraculous event.

He said he became disturbed. What could the vision mean? He continued to ponder and to give great thought to the question, and night came on him suddenly. When he was asleep, the Christ of God appeared to him and He brought with Him the sign which had appeared in the sky. He ordered Constantine to make a replica of this sign which he had witnessed in the sky, and he was to use it as a protection during his encounters with the enemy.

In the morning he told his friends of this extraordinary occurrence. Then he summoned those who worked with gold or precious stones, and he sat among them and described the appearance of the sign. He told them to represent it in gold and precious stones.

It was made in the following way. There was a long spear, covered with gold, and forming the shape of the Cross through having a transverse bar overlaying it. Over it all there was a wreath made of gold and precious stones. Within it was the symbol of the Savior's name, two letters to show the beginning of Christ's name. And the letter P was divided at the center by X. Later on, the Emperor adopted the habit of wearing these insignia on his helmet. . . .

The Emperor regularly used this saving symbol as a protection against every contrary and hostile power. Copies of it were carried by his command at the head of all his armies.

Constantine's Victory Over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge

Constantine was the leading emperor in rank and dignity, and he was the first to show pity on the victims of tyranny at Rome. He prayed the God of heaven and Jesus Christ, the Savior of all, to be his allies, and with all his forces he marched to restore to the Romans their ancient liberty. Maxentius, of course, relied more upon the devices of magic than on the goodwill of his subjects. Indeed, he lacked the courage to go even beyond the city gates. Instead, he employed a numberless crowd of heavy-armed soldiers and countless legionary bands to secure every place, every region, and every city which had been enslaved by him in the neighborhood of Rome and throughout Italy. But the Emperor, who trusted in the alliance of God, attacked the first, second, and third of the tyrant's armies and easily captured them. He advanced over a great part of Italy and drew very close to Rome itself.

Forestalling the need to fight Romans on account of the tyrant, God Himself, as though using chains, dragged the tyrant far away from the gates of the city. Just as in the days of Moses himself and of the ancient godly race of Hebrews, "He cast into the sea the chariots and the host of Pharaoh, his chosen horsemen and his captains, and they sank in the Red Sea and the deep concealed them." In the same way, Maxentius, with the armed soldiers and guards who surrounded him, "sank into the depths like a stone." This happened while he was fleeing before the God-sent power of Constantine and while he was crossing the river that lay before his path. By joining the boats together, he had efficiently bridged this river, and yet by doing so he had forged an instrument of destruction for himself. . . . For the bridge over the river broke down and the passage across collapsed. At once the boats, men and all, sank into the deep, and the first to go was that most wicked man himself.