and perseverance. 10.  After gaining many victories over these, and in the midst of his triumphs, Diocle’sian and Maxim’ian, his partners in the empire, surprised the world by resigning their dignities on the same day, and both retiring into private stations. 11.  In this manner Diocle’sian lived some time, and at length died either by poison or madness, but by which of them is uncertain.  His reign of twenty years was active and useful; and his authority, which was tinctured with severity, was adapted to the depraved state of morals at that time.

[Sidenote:  U.C. 1057.  A.D. 304.]

12.  Upon the resignation of the two emperors, the two Caesars, whom they had before chosen, were universally acknowledged as their successors, namely, Constan’tius Chlo’rus, so called from the paleness of his complexion, a man virtuous, valiant, and merciful; and Gele’rius, who was brave, but brutal, incontinent and cruel. 13.  As there was such a disparity in their tempers, they readily agreed, upon coming into full power, to divide the empire.  Constan’tius was appointed to govern the western parts, and died at York, in Britain, A.D. 396, appointing Con’stantine, his son, as his successor.  Gale’rius was seized with a very extraordinary disorder, which baffled the skill of his physicians, and carried him off.

[Sidenote:  U.C. 1064.  A.D. 311.]

14.  Con’stantine, afterwards surnamed the Great, had some competitors at first for the throne.—­Among the rest was Maxen’tius, who was at that time in possession of Rome, and a stedfast assertor of Paganism. 15.  It was in Constantine’s march against that usurper, we are told, that he was converted to Christianity, by a very extraordinary appearance. 16.  One evening, the army being on its march towards Rome, Constantine was intent on various considerations upon the fate of sublunary things, and the dangers of his approaching expedition.  Sensible of his own incapacity to succeed without divine assistance, he employed his meditations upon the opinions that were then agitated among mankind, and sent up his ejaculations to heaven to inspire him with wisdom to choose the path he should pursue.  As the sun was declining, there suddenly appeared a pillar of light in the heavens, in the fashion of a cross, with this inscription, EN TOTTO NIKA, IN THIS OVERCOME. 17.  So extraordinary an appearance did not fail to create astonishment, both in the emperor and his whole army, who reflected on it as their various dispositions led them to believe.  Those who were attached to Paganism, prompted by their aruspices, pronounced it to be a most inauspicious omen, portending the most unfortunate events; but it made a different impression on the emperor’s mind; who, as the account goes, was farther encouraged by visions the same night. 18.  He, therefore, the day following, caused a royal standard to be made, like that which he had seen in the heavens, and commanded it to be carried before him in his wars, as an ensign of victory and celestial protection.  After this he consulted with the principal teachers of Christianity, and made a public avowal of that holy religion.