- This topic is empty.
- Posts
Quote (terraricca @ Sep. 27 2010,04:43) Quote (Baker @ Sep. 27 2010,04:13) Quote (terraricca @ Sep. 26 2010,20:55) georg you do not answer my questions ;and for that i will not answer yours;
georg
i am glad you ask ,so who is ;Gods people ?
the Israelite according to the flesh or the ones according to the spirit
Pierre
I have answered you, you should not post the same question on more then one thread, you forget were you ask me.
Now lets see what an excuse you come up with this time?Georg
georgjust one word for the answer and you give me a lecture???
Pierre
When your wife sees you squirming on the computer, do you tell here you have an itch? Georg
Quote (Baker @ Oct. 03 2010,05:31) Quote (terraricca @ Sep. 27 2010,04:43) Quote (Baker @ Sep. 27 2010,04:13) Quote (terraricca @ Sep. 26 2010,20:55) georg you do not answer my questions ;and for that i will not answer yours;
georg
i am glad you ask ,so who is ;Gods people ?
the Israelite according to the flesh or the ones according to the spirit
Pierre
I have answered you, you should not post the same question on more then one thread, you forget were you ask me.
Now lets see what an excuse you come up with this time?Georg
georgjust one word for the answer and you give me a lecture???
Pierre
When your wife sees you squirming on the computer, do you tell here you have an itch? Georg
georgdefinitely no opportunity here
Pierre
Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 03 2010,02:05) Quote (Baker @ Oct. 03 2010,05:31) Quote (terraricca @ Sep. 27 2010,04:43) Quote (Baker @ Sep. 27 2010,04:13) Quote (terraricca @ Sep. 26 2010,20:55) georg you do not answer my questions ;and for that i will not answer yours;
georg
i am glad you ask ,so who is ;Gods people ?
the Israelite according to the flesh or the ones according to the spirit
Pierre
I have answered you, you should not post the same question on more then one thread, you forget were you ask me.
Now lets see what an excuse you come up with this time?Georg
georgjust one word for the answer and you give me a lecture???
Pierre
When your wife sees you squirming on the computer, do you tell here you have an itch? Georg
georgdefinitely no opportunity here
Pierre
Call me a prophet, I said you would wiggle yourself out of answering; didn't I?Georg
georg
you have shown that you are not true to scriptures in your version of events of the description of Daniel 2 and 7 and revelation 13 .
you never aswer my questions ,so i know you still hold on to old women stories and fables.
other wise you would have answer me.
Pierre
Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 04 2010,00:51) georg you have shown that you are not true to scriptures in your version of events of the description of Daniel 2 and 7 and revelation 13 .
you never aswer my questions ,so i know you still hold on to old women stories and fables.
other wise you would have answer me.
Pierre
PierreYou're like a mole.
Georg
Quote (Baker @ Oct. 18 2010,06:13) Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 04 2010,00:51) georg you have shown that you are not true to scriptures in your version of events of the description of Daniel 2 and 7 and revelation 13 .
you never aswer my questions ,so i know you still hold on to old women stories and fables.
other wise you would have answer me.
Pierre
PierreYou're like a mole.
Georg
georgno ,let s start all thing over will you ?
Pierre
Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 18 2010,04:25) Quote (Baker @ Oct. 18 2010,06:13) Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 04 2010,00:51) georg you have shown that you are not true to scriptures in your version of events of the description of Daniel 2 and 7 and revelation 13 .
you never aswer my questions ,so i know you still hold on to old women stories and fables.
other wise you would have answer me.
Pierre
PierreYou're like a mole.
Georg
georgno ,let s start all thing over will you ?
Pierre
OK by me, tell me were you want to start?
And remember, people are watching.Georg
georg
terraricca
Then who is the little horn in Dan. 7:8, the one that makes war with the saints for 1260 days/years?
And who is the one the bible speaks of in Rev. 13:5,7 who makes war with the saints for the same length of time as the one in Daniel?
If Constantine was your man, why then did he stop the persecution of the saints?so should we start here?
Pierre
Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 18 2010,10:36) georg terraricca
Then who is the little horn in Dan. 7:8, the one that makes war with the saints for 1260 days/years?
And who is the one the bible speaks of in Rev. 13:5,7 who makes war with the saints for the same length of time as the one in Daniel?
If Constantine was your man, why then did he stop the persecution of the saints?so should we start here?
Pierre
PierreTalking about making a 360 degree turn.
Now, all of a sudden Constantine is “MY” man?
Did I not try to emphasise to you that it was Constantine who “STOPED” the persecution?
If you continue “this way”, I can't call that a fresh start.Now, to your question;
The little horn in Dan. 7:8, is the same individual you read about all through Rev. 13:5,7. He is the “beast out of the earth”, v. 11; he is the one that tried to appear as the lamb, same verse; he is the one that made himself into the image of Rome, v. 14, 15; he is the one that killed all who would not except his doctrine (mark, right hand), and believe it (mark, forehead) v. 16; he is the one that would not allow anyone to read or teach (buy or sell) the Bible, v. 17; he is the one whose name/title ads up to 666, he is the Pope of the Roman Catholic church, the Antichrist, v. 18.Georg
Quote (Baker @ Oct. 20 2010,14:38) Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 18 2010,10:36) georg terraricca
Then who is the little horn in Dan. 7:8, the one that makes war with the saints for 1260 days/years?
And who is the one the bible speaks of in Rev. 13:5,7 who makes war with the saints for the same length of time as the one in Daniel?
If Constantine was your man, why then did he stop the persecution of the saints?so should we start here?
Pierre
PierreTalking about making a 360 degree turn.
Now, all of a sudden Constantine is “MY” man?
Did I not try to emphasise to you that it was Constantine who “STOPED” the persecution?
If you continue “this way”, I can't call that a fresh start.Now, to your question;
The little horn in Dan. 7:8, is the same individual you read about all through Rev. 13:5,7. He is the “beast out of the earth”, v. 11; he is the one that tried to appear as the lamb, same verse; he is the one that made himself into the image of Rome, v. 14, 15; he is the one that killed all who would not except his doctrine (mark, right hand), and believe it (mark, forehead) v. 16; he is the one that would not allow anyone to read or teach (buy or sell) the Bible, v. 17; he is the one whose name/title ads up to 666, he is the Pope of the Roman Catholic church, the Antichrist, v. 18.Georg
georgwe are seeing many things in a different optic,
you beleive Constantine stopped the persecution,i do not Constantine eliminated the truth of God permanently by creating the universal catholic church,and the true worshiper was on is own to fallow the word of God,just like today.
the little horn is the remaining power of the Greek empire and join to the Roman empire look at history.
Daniel as nothing to do with revelation ,it only allows us to understand it better.
Pierre
Pierre
If you refuse to look at facts, than I have nothing further to say.
Show me were Greek “joined” with Rome.
Show me were the Greeks, (your little horn) made war with the saints.Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Who were the three horns that were uprooted by Greek, (little horn)?
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Georg
Quote (Baker @ Oct. 21 2010,17:24) Pierre If you refuse to look at facts, than I have nothing further to say.
Show me were Greek “joined” with Rome.
Show me were the Greeks, (your little horn) made war with the saints.Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Who were the three horns that were uprooted by Greek, (little horn)?
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Georg
the fourth beast =Rome
and it was Rome that overtook Israel and also destroyed it.
the little horn is Constantine,Pierre
Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 21 2010,11:19) Quote (Baker @ Oct. 21 2010,17:24) Pierre If you refuse to look at facts, than I have nothing further to say.
Show me were Greek “joined” with Rome.
Show me were the Greeks, (your little horn) made war with the saints.Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Who were the three horns that were uprooted by Greek, (little horn)?
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Georg
the fourth beast =Rome
and it was Rome that overtook Israel and also destroyed it.
the little horn is Constantine,Pierre
PierreDon't you realise how foolish you look when you make statements like that?
Did you not agree to answer my questions?Show me were Greek “joined” with Rome.
Show me were the Greeks, (your little horn) made war with the saints.
Who were the three horns that were uprooted by Greek, (little horn)?Georg
Quote (Baker @ Oct. 22 2010,19:51) Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 21 2010,11:19) Quote (Baker @ Oct. 21 2010,17:24) Pierre If you refuse to look at facts, than I have nothing further to say.
Show me were Greek “joined” with Rome.
Show me were the Greeks, (your little horn) made war with the saints.Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Who were the three horns that were uprooted by Greek, (little horn)?
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Georg
the fourth beast =Rome
and it was Rome that overtook Israel and also destroyed it.
the little horn is Constantine,Pierre
PierreDon't you realise how foolish you look when you make statements like that?
Did you not agree to answer my questions?Show me were Greek “joined” with Rome.
Show me were the Greeks, (your little horn) made war with the saints.
Who were the three horns that were uprooted by Greek, (little horn)?Georg
georgabout that little horn ,you right i miss quoted and for some reason not look this up very closely ,that little horn is Constantine wen he became the sol emperor of Rome,the tree horns were the tree kings he conquered or vanquished
Pierre
Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 22 2010,13:07) Quote (Baker @ Oct. 22 2010,19:51) Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 21 2010,11:19) Quote (Baker @ Oct. 21 2010,17:24) Pierre If you refuse to look at facts, than I have nothing further to say.
Show me were Greek “joined” with Rome.
Show me were the Greeks, (your little horn) made war with the saints.Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Who were the three horns that were uprooted by Greek, (little horn)?
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Georg
the fourth beast =Rome
and it was Rome that overtook Israel and also destroyed it.
the little horn is Constantine,Pierre
PierreDon't you realise how foolish you look when you make statements like that?
Did you not agree to answer my questions?Show me were Greek “joined” with Rome.
Show me were the Greeks, (your little horn) made war with the saints.
Who were the three horns that were uprooted by Greek, (little horn)?Georg
georgabout that little horn ,you right i miss quoted and for some reason not look this up very closely ,that little horn is Constantine wen he became the sol emperor of Rome,the tree horns were the tree kings he conquered or vanquished
Pierre
And who were those kings?Georg
georg
On 1 May 305, Diocletian, as a result of a debilitating sickness taken in the winter of 304–5, announced his resignation. In a parallel ceremony in Milan, Maximian did the same.[54] Lactantius states that Galerius manipulated the weakened Diocletian into resigning, and forced him to accept Galerius' allies in the imperial succession. According to Lactantius, the crowd listening to Diocletian's resignation speech believed, until the very last moment, that Diocletian would choose Constantine and Maxentius (Maximian's son) as his successors.[55] It was not to be: Constantius and Galerius were promoted to Augusti, while Severus and Maximin were appointed their Caesars respectively. Constantine and Maxentius were ignored.[56]
Some of the ancient sources detail plots that Galerius made on Constantine's life in the months following Diocletian's abdication. They assert that Galerius assigned Constantine to lead an advance unit in a cavalry charge through a swamp on the middle Danube, made him enter into single combat with a lion, and attempted to kill him in hunts and wars. Constantine always emerged victorious: the lion emerged from the contest in a poorer condition than Constantine; Constantine returned to Nicomedia from the Danube with a Sarmatian captive to drop at Galerius' feet.[57] It is uncertain how much these tales can be trusted.[58]
[edit] In the West
Constantine recognized the implicit danger in remaining at Galerius' court, where he was held as a virtual hostage. His career depended on being rescued by his father in the west. Constantius was quick to intervene.[59] In the late spring or early summer of 305, Constantius requested leave for his son, to help him campaign in Britain. After a long evening of drinking, Galerius granted the request. Constantine's later propaganda describes how Constantine fled the court in the night, before Galerius could change his mind. He rode from post-house to post-house at high speed, mutilating every horse in his wake.[60] By the time Galerius awoke the following morning, Constantine had fled too far to be caught.[61] Constantine joined his father in Gaul, at Bononia (Boulogne) before the summer of 305.[62]Bronze statue of Constantine I in York, England, near the spot where he was proclaimed Augustus in 306From Bononia they crossed the Channel to Britain and made their way to Eboracum (York), capital of the province of Britannia Secunda and home to a large military base. Constantine was able to spend a year in northern Britain at his father's side, campaigning against the Picts beyond Hadrian's Wall in the summer and autumn.[63] Constantius's campaign, like that of Septimius Severus before it, probably advanced far into the north without achieving great success.[64] Constantius had become severely sick over the course of his reign, and died on 25 July 306 in Eboracum (York). Before dying, he declared his support for raising Constantine to the rank of full Augustus. The Alamannic king Chrocus, a barbarian taken into service under Constantius, then proclaimed Constantine as Augustus. The troops loyal to Constantius' memory followed him in acclamation. Gaul and Britain quickly accepted his rule;[65] Iberia, which had been in his father's domain for less than a year, rejected it.[66]
Constantine sent Galerius an official notice of Constantius's death and his own acclamation. Along with the notice, he included a portrait of himself in the robes of an Augustus.[67] The portrait was wreathed in bay.[68] He requested recognition as heir to his father's throne, and passed off responsibility for his unlawful ascension on his army, claiming they had “forced it upon him”.[69] Galerius was put into a fury by the message; he almost set the portrait on fire. His advisers calmed him, and argued that outright denial of Constantine's claims would mean certain war.[70] Galerius was compelled to compromise: he granted Constantine the title “Caesar” rather than “Augustus” (The latter office went to Severus instead).[71] Wishing to make it clear that he alone gave Constantine legitimacy, Galerius personally sent Constantine the emperor's traditional purple robes.[72] Constantine accepted the decision,[71] knowing that it would remove doubts as to his legitimacy.[73]
[edit] Early rule
Constantine's share of the Empire consisted of Britain, Gaul, and Spain. He therefore commanded one of the largest Roman armies, stationed along the important Rhine frontier.[74] After his promotion to emperor, Constantine remained in Britain, and secured his control in the northwestern dioceses. He completed the reconstruction of military bases begun under his father's rule, and ordered the repair of the region's roadways.[75] He soon left for Augusta Treverorum (Trier) in Gaul, the Tetrarchic capital of the northwestern Roman Empire.[76] The Franks, after learning of Constantine's acclamation, invaded Gaul across the lower Rhine over the winter of 306–7.[77] Constantine drove them back beyond the Rhine and captured two of their kings, Ascaric and Merogaisus. The kings and their soldiers were fed to the beasts of Trier's amphitheater in the adventus (arrival) celebrations that followed.[78]Public baths (thermae) built in Trier by Constantine. More than 100 metres (328 ft) wide by 200 metres (656 ft) long, and capable of serving several thousands at a time, the baths were built to rival those of Rome.[79]Constantine began a major expansion of Trier. He strengthened the circuit wall around the city with military towers and fortified gates, and began building a palace complex in the northeastern part of the city. To the south of his palace, he ordered the construction of a large formal audience hall, and a massive imperial bathhouse. Constantine sponsored many building projects across Gaul during his tenure as emperor of the West, especially in Augustodunum (Autun) and Arelate (Arles).[80] According to Lactantius, Constantine followed his father in following a tolerant policy towards Christianity. Although not yet a Christian, he probably judged it a more sensible policy than open persecution,[81] and a way to distinguish himself from the “great persecutor”, Galerius.[82] Constantine decreed a formal end to persecution, and returned to Christians all they had lost during the persecutions.[83]
Because Constantine was still largely untried and had a hint of illegitimacy about him, he relied on his father's reputation in his early propaganda: the earliest panegyrics to Constantine give as much coverage to his father's deeds as to those of Constantine himself.[84] Constantine's military skill and building projects soon gave the panegyrist the opportunity to comment favorably on the similarities between father and son, and Eusebius remarked that Constantine was a “renewal, as it were, in his own person, of his father's life and reign”.[85] Constantinian coinage, sculpture and oratory also shows a new tendency for disdain towards the “barbarians” beyond the frontiers. After Constantine's victory over the Alemanni, he minted a coin issue depicting weeping and begging Alemannic tribesmen—”The Alemanni conquered”—beneath the phrase “Romans' rejoicing”.[86] There was little sympathy for these enemies. As his panegyrist declared: “It is a stupid clemency that spares the conquered foe.”[87]
[edit] Maxentius' rebellion
Following Galerius' recognition of Constantine as emperor, Constantine's portrait was brought to Rome, as was customary. Maxentius mocked the portrait's subject as the son of a harlot, and lamented his own powerlessness.[88] Maxentius, jealous of Constantine's authority,[89] seized the title of emperor on 28 October 306. Galerius refused to recognize him, but failed to unseat him. Galerius sent Severus against Maxentius, but during the campaign, Severus' armies, previously under command of Maxentius's father Maximian, defected, and Severus was seized and
imprisoned.[90] Maximian, brought out of retirement by his son's rebellion, left for Gaul to confer with Constantine in late 307. He offered to marry his daughter Fausta to Constantine, and elevate him to Augustan rank. In return, Constantine would reaffirm the old family alliance between Maximian and Constantius, and offer support to Maxentius' cause in Italy. Constantine accepted, and married Fausta in Trier in late summer 307. Constantine now gave Maxentius his meager support, offering Maxentius political recognition.[91]Dresden bust of MaxentiusConstantine remained aloof from the Italian conflict, however. Over the spring and summer of 307, he had left Gaul for Britain to avoid any involvement in the Italian turmoil;[92] now, instead of giving Maxentius military aid, he sent his troops against Germanic tribes along the Rhine. In 308, he raided the territory of the Bructeri, and made a bridge across the Rhine at Colonia Agrippinensium (Cologne). In 310, he marched to the northern Rhine and fought the Franks. When not campaigning, he toured his lands advertising his benevolence, and supporting the economy and the arts. His refusal to participate in the war increased his popularity among his people, and strengthened his power base in the West.[93] Maximian returned to Rome in the winter of 307–8, but soon fell out with his son. In early 309, after a failed attempt to usurp Maxentius' title, Maximian returned to Constantine's court.[94]
On 11 November 308, Galerius called a general council at the military city of Carnuntum (Petronell-Carnuntum, Austria) to resolve the instability in the western provinces. In attendance were Diocletian, briefly returned from retirement, Galerius, and Maximian. Maximian was forced to abdicate again and Constantine was again demoted to Caesar. Licinius, one of Galerius' old military companions, was appointed Augustus of the west. The new system did not last long: Constantine refused to accept the demotion, and continued to style himself as Augustus on his coinage, even as other members of the Tetrarchy referred to him as a Caesar on theirs. Maximian was frustrated that he had been passed over for promotion while the newcomer Licinius had been raised to the office of Augustus, and demanded that Galerius promote him. Galerius offered to call both Maximian and Constantine “sons of the Augusti”,[95] but neither accepted the new title. By the spring of 310, Galerius was referring to both men as Augusti.[96]
[edit] Maximian's rebellion
Pierre
Quote (terraricca @ Oct. 22 2010,13:29) georg On 1 May 305, Diocletian, as a result of a debilitating sickness taken in the winter of 304–5, announced his resignation. In a parallel ceremony in Milan, Maximian did the same.[54] Lactantius states that Galerius manipulated the weakened Diocletian into resigning, and forced him to accept Galerius' allies in the imperial succession. According to Lactantius, the crowd listening to Diocletian's resignation speech believed, until the very last moment, that Diocletian would choose Constantine and Maxentius (Maximian's son) as his successors.[55] It was not to be: Constantius and Galerius were promoted to Augusti, while Severus and Maximin were appointed their Caesars respectively. Constantine and Maxentius were ignored.[56]
Some of the ancient sources detail plots that Galerius made on Constantine's life in the months following Diocletian's abdication. They assert that Galerius assigned Constantine to lead an advance unit in a cavalry charge through a swamp on the middle Danube, made him enter into single combat with a lion, and attempted to kill him in hunts and wars. Constantine always emerged victorious: the lion emerged from the contest in a poorer condition than Constantine; Constantine returned to Nicomedia from the Danube with a Sarmatian captive to drop at Galerius' feet.[57] It is uncertain how much these tales can be trusted.[58]
[edit] In the West
Constantine recognized the implicit danger in remaining at Galerius' court, where he was held as a virtual hostage. His career depended on being rescued by his father in the west. Constantius was quick to intervene.[59] In the late spring or early summer of 305, Constantius requested leave for his son, to help him campaign in Britain. After a long evening of drinking, Galerius granted the request. Constantine's later propaganda describes how Constantine fled the court in the night, before Galerius could change his mind. He rode from post-house to post-house at high speed, mutilating every horse in his wake.[60] By the time Galerius awoke the following morning, Constantine had fled too far to be caught.[61] Constantine joined his father in Gaul, at Bononia (Boulogne) before the summer of 305.[62]Bronze statue of Constantine I in York, England, near the spot where he was proclaimed Augustus in 306From Bononia they crossed the Channel to Britain and made their way to Eboracum (York), capital of the province of Britannia Secunda and home to a large military base. Constantine was able to spend a year in northern Britain at his father's side, campaigning against the Picts beyond Hadrian's Wall in the summer and autumn.[63] Constantius's campaign, like that of Septimius Severus before it, probably advanced far into the north without achieving great success.[64] Constantius had become severely sick over the course of his reign, and died on 25 July 306 in Eboracum (York). Before dying, he declared his support for raising Constantine to the rank of full Augustus. The Alamannic king Chrocus, a barbarian taken into service under Constantius, then proclaimed Constantine as Augustus. The troops loyal to Constantius' memory followed him in acclamation. Gaul and Britain quickly accepted his rule;[65] Iberia, which had been in his father's domain for less than a year, rejected it.[66]
Constantine sent Galerius an official notice of Constantius's death and his own acclamation. Along with the notice, he included a portrait of himself in the robes of an Augustus.[67] The portrait was wreathed in bay.[68] He requested recognition as heir to his father's throne, and passed off responsibility for his unlawful ascension on his army, claiming they had “forced it upon him”.[69] Galerius was put into a fury by the message; he almost set the portrait on fire. His advisers calmed him, and argued that outright denial of Constantine's claims would mean certain war.[70] Galerius was compelled to compromise: he granted Constantine the title “Caesar” rather than “Augustus” (The latter office went to Severus instead).[71] Wishing to make it clear that he alone gave Constantine legitimacy, Galerius personally sent Constantine the emperor's traditional purple robes.[72] Constantine accepted the decision,[71] knowing that it would remove doubts as to his legitimacy.[73]
[edit] Early rule
Constantine's share of the Empire consisted of Britain, Gaul, and Spain. He therefore commanded one of the largest Roman armies, stationed along the important Rhine frontier.[74] After his promotion to emperor, Constantine remained in Britain, and secured his control in the northwestern dioceses. He completed the reconstruction of military bases begun under his father's rule, and ordered the repair of the region's roadways.[75] He soon left for Augusta Treverorum (Trier) in Gaul, the Tetrarchic capital of the northwestern Roman Empire.[76] The Franks, after learning of Constantine's acclamation, invaded Gaul across the lower Rhine over the winter of 306–7.[77] Constantine drove them back beyond the Rhine and captured two of their kings, Ascaric and Merogaisus. The kings and their soldiers were fed to the beasts of Trier's amphitheater in the adventus (arrival) celebrations that followed.[78]Public baths (thermae) built in Trier by Constantine. More than 100 metres (328 ft) wide by 200 metres (656 ft) long, and capable of serving several thousands at a time, the baths were built to rival those of Rome.[79]Constantine began a major expansion of Trier. He strengthened the circuit wall around the city with military towers and fortified gates, and began building a palace complex in the northeastern part of the city. To the south of his palace, he ordered the construction of a large formal audience hall, and a massive imperial bathhouse. Constantine sponsored many building projects across Gaul during his tenure as emperor of the West, especially in Augustodunum (Autun) and Arelate (Arles).[80] According to Lactantius, Constantine followed his father in following a tolerant policy towards Christianity. Although not yet a Christian, he probably judged it a more sensible policy than open persecution,[81] and a way to distinguish himself from the “great persecutor”, Galerius.[82] Constantine decreed a formal end to persecution, and returned to Christians all they had lost during the persecutions.[83]
Because Constantine was still largely untried and had a hint of illegitimacy about him, he relied on his father's reputation in his early propaganda: the earliest panegyrics to Constantine give as much coverage to his father's deeds as to those of Constantine himself.[84] Constantine's military skill and building projects soon gave the panegyrist the opportunity to comment favorably on the similarities between father and son, and Eusebius remarked that Constantine was a “renewal, as it were, in his own person, of his father's life and reign”.[85] Constantinian coinage, sculpture and oratory also shows a new tendency for disdain towards the “barbarians” beyond the frontiers. After Constantine's victory over the Alemanni, he minted a coin issue depicting weeping and begging Alemannic tribesmen—”The Alemanni conquered”—beneath the phrase “Romans' rejoicing”.[86] There was little sympathy for these enemies. As his panegyrist declared: “It is a stupid clemency that spares the conquered foe.”[87]
[edit] Maxentius' rebellion
Following Galerius' recognition of Constantine as emperor, Constantine's portrait was brought to Rome, as was customary. Maxentius mocked the portrait's subject as the son of a harlot, and lamented his own powerlessness.[88] Maxentius, jealous of Constantine's authority,[89] seized the title of emperor on 28 October 306. Galerius refused to
recognize him, but failed to unseat him. Galerius sent Severus against Maxentius, but during the campaign, Severus' armies, previously under command of Maxentius's father Maximian, defected, and Severus was seized and imprisoned.[90] Maximian, brought out of retirement by his son's rebellion, left for Gaul to confer with Constantine in late 307. He offered to marry his daughter Fausta to Constantine, and elevate him to Augustan rank. In return, Constantine would reaffirm the old family alliance between Maximian and Constantius, and offer support to Maxentius' cause in Italy. Constantine accepted, and married Fausta in Trier in late summer 307. Constantine now gave Maxentius his meager support, offering Maxentius political recognition.[91]Dresden bust of MaxentiusConstantine remained aloof from the Italian conflict, however. Over the spring and summer of 307, he had left Gaul for Britain to avoid any involvement in the Italian turmoil;[92] now, instead of giving Maxentius military aid, he sent his troops against Germanic tribes along the Rhine. In 308, he raided the territory of the Bructeri, and made a bridge across the Rhine at Colonia Agrippinensium (Cologne). In 310, he marched to the northern Rhine and fought the Franks. When not campaigning, he toured his lands advertising his benevolence, and supporting the economy and the arts. His refusal to participate in the war increased his popularity among his people, and strengthened his power base in the West.[93] Maximian returned to Rome in the winter of 307–8, but soon fell out with his son. In early 309, after a failed attempt to usurp Maxentius' title, Maximian returned to Constantine's court.[94]
On 11 November 308, Galerius called a general council at the military city of Carnuntum (Petronell-Carnuntum, Austria) to resolve the instability in the western provinces. In attendance were Diocletian, briefly returned from retirement, Galerius, and Maximian. Maximian was forced to abdicate again and Constantine was again demoted to Caesar. Licinius, one of Galerius' old military companions, was appointed Augustus of the west. The new system did not last long: Constantine refused to accept the demotion, and continued to style himself as Augustus on his coinage, even as other members of the Tetrarchy referred to him as a Caesar on theirs. Maximian was frustrated that he had been passed over for promotion while the newcomer Licinius had been raised to the office of Augustus, and demanded that Galerius promote him. Galerius offered to call both Maximian and Constantine “sons of the Augusti”,[95] but neither accepted the new title. By the spring of 310, Galerius was referring to both men as Augusti.[96]
[edit] Maximian's rebellion
Pierre
Like I said, you have no clue!Georg
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
