Constantine

List of Illustrations ix Preface x Abbreviations xii 1 Introduction 1 Official Lies and the 'Constantinian Question' 2 The Progress of Historical Research 6 Contemporary Perspectives on Constantine 8 Coins, Inscriptions and Monuments 16 2 The Soldier and the Stable-Girl 27 The Social Status of Helena 30 The Marriage of Constantine's Parents 33 Constantius' Second Wife 38 The Later Life of Helena 42 3 Constantine, the Ruins of Babylon and the Court of Pharaoh 46 The Diocletianic Tetrarchy (293-305) 46 The Appointment of New Emperors 49 Constantine in the East (293-305) 51 The Dynastic Coup of 305 56 4 The Road to Rome 61 Constantine's Proclamation and Recognition as Emperor 62 Politics and Warfare 306-310 66 The Vision of Constantine 74 The Invasion of Italy 80 Constantine in Rome and Christmas 312 83 Constantinian Churches in Rome 85 Appendix: The Status of Constantine 306-311 89 5 Brothers-in-Law 90 Constantine and Licinius in Milan 90 Was there an 'Edict of Milan'? 93 Towards War 97 From Cibalae (316) to Chrysopolis (324) 103 6 The Transformation of the East 107 The Foundation of Constantinople 111 An Imperial Sermon 113 The Council of Nicaea 120 A Christian Capital for a Christian Roman Empire 126 Pro-Christian Legislation 131 Constantine and Ecclesiastical Politics 140 East and West in the Fourth Century 142 7 Dynastic Politics after the Council of Nicaea 144 The Deaths of Crispus and Fausta 144 A Third Wife for Constantine? 150 The Organization of the Empire 153 Constantine's Dynastic Plans 163 An Astrologer's Praise of Constantine 168 Tables: Dynastic Alliances and Children of Emperors 285-337 170 Appendix: The Dynastic Marriages of 335 and 336 171 8 Epilogue 173 Appendix A: The Career of Lactantius 176 Appendix B: Galerius' Sarmatian Victories 179 Appendix C: The Panegyrici Latini and Constantine 181 Appendix D: Eusebius, On Easter (De Sollemnitate Paschali) 185 Appendix E: Nicagoras in Egypt 192 Appendix F: Praxagoras of Athens 195 Appendix G: An Anonymous Panegyric of Constantine 198 Notes 201 Bibliography 226 Index 254