CHAPTER XLIX

CONCERNING CONSTANTINE’S PIOUS FATHER, AND THE PERSECUTORS DIOCLETIAN AND MAXIMIAN

“THE former emperors I have been accustomed to regard as those with whom I could have no sympathy, on account of the savage cruelty of their character. Indeed, my father was the only one who uniformly practised the duties of humanity, and with admirable piety called for the blessing of God the Father on all his actions. For the rest, following the dictates of a perverted reason, they were more zealous of cruel than gentle measures; and this disposition they indulged without restraint, and thus marred the course of the true doctrine during the whole period of their reign. Nay, so violent did their malicious fury become, that in the midst of a profound peace, as regards both the religious and ordinary interests of men, they kindled as it were the flames of a civil war.