CHAPTER VIII

FIFTY MEN ARE SELECTED TO CARRY THE CROSS

ACCORDINGLY, he selected those of his body-guard who were most distinguished for personal strength, valour, and piety, and intrusted them with the sole care and defence of the standard. They were in number not less than fifty; and their only duty was to surround and vigilantly defend the standard, which they carried each in turn on their shoulders. These circumstances were related to the writer of this narrative by the emperor himself in his leisure moments, long after the occurrence of the events: and he added another incident well worthy of being recorded.