events of unprecedented nature and importance, and for the rise of
an emperor destined to play a part in the history of the world
quite different from that performed by any of his predecessors.
This was Constantine, in whose character, throughout his life,
opposing elements seemed to contend for mastery, as was shown in
his treatment of the perplexing questions that arose during his
reign concerning Christianity, which was persecuted under
Diocletian and the old Roman religion. Of his statesmanship and his
further transformation of the empire, in ways which Diocletian
could not have foreseen, history has made an impressive record.

But the great events of his reign, which caused it to be regarded
as the inauguration of a new era, were his conversion to
Christianity and the acts whereby he secured its toleration and
then its supremacy in the empire. In the account which follows it
is clearly shown by what steps these results were attained, and how
the work of Constantine the Great became the chief agency by which
Christianity mounted the throne of the Caesars.

In the beginning of the fourth century the Roman Empire had four
sovereigns, of whom two were superior to the others and bore the title
of Augustus, namely, Diocletian and Maximianus Herculius; the two
inferior sovereigns, who bore the title of Caesars, were Constantius
Chlorus and Galerius Maximianus. Under these four emperors the state of
the Church was peaceful and happy. Diocletian, though superstitious,
indulged no hatred toward the Christians. Constantius Chlorus, following
only the dictates of reason in matters of religion, was averse to the
popular idolatry, and friendly to the Christians. The pagan priests,
therefore, from well-grounded fears lest Christianity, to their great
and lasting injury, should spread far and wide its triumphs, endeavored
to excite Diocletian, whom they knew to be both timid and credulous, by
means of feigned oracles and other impositions, to engage in persecuting
the Christians.

These artifices not succeeding very well, they made use of the other
emperor, Galerius Maximianus, who was son-in-law to Diocletian, in order
to effect their purpose. This Emperor, who was of a ferocious character
and ill-informed in everything except the military art, continued to
work upon his father-in-law, being urged on partly by his own
inclination, partly by the