3, giving the imperial license to the religion of Christ; and also in
this reign the famous COUNCIL OF NICE, in Bithynia (325), met to settle
questions of creed.

In person Constantine was tall and majestic: he was dexterous in all
warlike accomplishments; intrepid in war, affable in peace; patient and
prudent in council, bold and unhesitating in action. Ambition alone
led him to attack the East; and the very madness of jealousy marked his
course after his success. He was filial in his affection towards his
mother; but he can scarcely be called affectionate who put to death
his father-in-law, his brother-in-law, his wife, and his son. If he was
great in his virtues, in his faults he was contemptible.

DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE.

Constantine was succeeded by his three sons, CONSTANTINE II.,
CONSTANTIUS, and CONSTANS, who divided the Empire among themselves
(337-353). Constantine and Constans almost at once quarrelled over the
possession of Italy, and the difficulty was ended only by the death
of the former. The other two brothers lived in harmony for some time,
because the Persian war in the East occupied Constantius, while Constans
was satisfied with a life of indolence and dissipation. Constans was
murdered in 350, and his brother was sole Emperor. He died ten years
later, and was succeeded by his cousin, Julian (360-363)

JULIAN was a good soldier, and a man calculated to win the love and
respect of all. But he attempted to restore the old religion, and thus
gained for himself the epithet of APOSTATE. The Christians, however, had
too firm a hold on the state to admit of their powers being shaken. The
failure of Julian precluded any similar attempt afterward. After a reign
of three years, he was killed in an expedition against the Persians. His
successor, JOVIAN (363-364), who was chosen by the army, died after a
reign of only seven months.

VALENTINIAN and VALENS (364-375). After a brief interregnum, the throne
was bestowed on Valentinian, who associated with himself his
brother Valens. The Empire was divided. Valens took the East, with
Constantinople as his capital. Valentinian took the West, making MILAN
the seat of his government. So completely had Rome fallen from her
ancient position, that it is very doubtful if this monarch ever
visited the city during his reign. (Footnote: Since the building of
Constantinople no Emperor had lived in Rome. She had ceased to be
mistress even of the West, and rapidly fell to th