Christopher Golde

“In hoc signo vinces!”

“In this sign you shall conquer!”

        Chapter four
        The Emperor

Date:          312 AD                                                   Location:   Nicaea 

 

A fresh breeze now caused the curtains hanging beside him to billow, as the temperature dropped quickly and the hot midsummer solstice sun slowly descended below the horizon.

Constantine stood in his bed-chamber, looking out over his kingdom from a large open window. He could now see the first star shining in the heavens; just as it had done so for an eternity. The Emperor of Rome stood deep in thought, almost oblivious to the intense beauty of the scene. A decision weighed heavily on his mind; a decision that could change the world forever.

As he watched the sun slowly disappearing below the horizon, he asked his God what it is he would have him do.

The white curtain blew inward and softly brushed against the skin of his muscular shoulder. He was a fine figure of a man who was particularly proud of his body and kept it in perfect condition. He wore only a slight roman nightdress, laced lightly about his torso. Although most of his features were typical of a well-bred Roman, his Grecian blood gave him a much sharper jawline and those close to him would often remark about his unusual green eyes. He had long locks of blonde hair but chose to wear them bound tight to his head most of the time.

As an Emperor of Rome he had ruled with an iron fist and an open mind. Decisions made by him were rarely opposed by his council of advisers or dared to be protested about by the masses. His conversion to ‘Sol Invictus’ had shocked many of his supporters, but none would dare openly criticize him. His fascination for Egypt and its Pharaoh’s had consumed him as a young boy and there was no doubt in his mind that all life came from the sun. His religious attitude for the Empire as a whole had always been one of leniency and he cared little for the intolerance each opposing religion offered the other.

Now he must make a decision that could impact on the very existence of his Empire. Would what he was considering, be in his own best interest, that of his people, or better for the world as a whole; a world rapidly expanding with each and every military conquest. A world, that also teetered on calamitous upheaval due to religious rivalries.

“Please confide in me my God,” he said, looking to the now fading sun, “please, give me your divine guidance.”

As if replying to that request, there was a noise from behind him. He spun about defensively but could see nothing. As he eased in his alertness, he saw what seemed like a shadow in the corner of the large room. He moved in towards the shadow and it moved as well towards him. There was no alarm in his countenance. He instead looked knowingly at the now enormous dark figure that stood still more than ten paces away, yet dwarfed him. 

“You have come to answer my prayers I hope,” he said softly to the apparition.

A soft yet powerful reply entered his mind.

‘I am here at your request Constantine, as always.’

‘Well,’ said Constantine, ‘you obviously know my dilemma, what do you think I should do.’

‘My dear Emperor,’ the words resonated in his mind, ‘it is not my place to interfere in the decisions of men…’

‘So you’ve said before,’ thought Constantine, interrupting, ‘but you always have an opinion, and usually your opinions are the eventuality.’

Constantine knew that talking to his dark mentor would seem to an onlooker as if he were talking to himself and often he himself thought it was probably his own madness that created the dark stranger. However, many problems had been solved in this same way and as a young child, the apparition had explained to him many of the mysteries of life.

‘If indeed,’ he thought, ‘it was madness, then he had been blessed rather than cursed by his insanity.’

‘I know that you are considering ways to control the spread of Christianity, and at the same time become absolute Emperor over all of Rome’ continued the voice, ‘you have trouble in your empire Constantine other than the Christians and you need to be the absolute ruler in order to survive. I believe I know how you can deal with this trouble and win the battle against your nemesis. May I suggest you consider something perhaps a little radical?’

For a moment there was a deafening silence as neither thought nor spoke.

“Well,” said the Emperor, at last, unable bare the length of silence.

The large figure turned and levitated back across the room away from the expectant Constantine. The figures sharpness began to fade and Constantine could feel his usual panic attack coming on.

‘My dear friend,’ the voice said, seeming more distant, ‘control could be wiser than elimination. Christianity is new and it lacks unity. It would be my suggestion to lead the Christians. Help them, organize them, control them, be a true ‘Emperor of the World’, lead your people to the light, shock your rivals. The Christians have a benevolent God, not unlike your Sol, which can be very useful for you. I suggest you have a vision Constantine and see the light that shines in heaven. You may well become a God yourself, Constantine.’

As he heard the last word, the mist had completely dissipated and the dark shape had vanished. Constantine knew he would get no more answers; perhaps he needed no more answers. He considered what the dark power had suggested. Instead of their antagonist, he could become their leader, shaping and moulding the religion to help the Empire. At the same time, he would go to war as a prophet of a single God. It would surely off-balance his rival pagan Emperor.

Constantine slept well that night, the first time for many weeks. The next day he would begin to plan his war.

And so it was to be, that Constantine would become the outright Emperor of all Rome and in doing so he would champion the Christian God. In 325 AD he would form the Council of Nicaea and they would create the Nicene Creed and as such the Holy Bible of Christianity would be born. He was now directly responsible for creating what would one day become the largest religious following on Earth. He had made sure Christianity would now and forever be an integral part of the mighty Roman Empire. His Empire would now live forever and so would he.