| The over-extended empire had been split in two - East and West. Rome was no longer the imperial capital. Each region was ruled by an emperor and his deputy. Constantine shared the West with Maxentius, but they soon became bitter rivals. In 312, Constantine had cornered Maxentius's forces on the banks of the Tiber. Before battle commenced, Constantine had a vision. He saw the sign of the Cross superimposed on the sun with the words "By this sign, thou shalt conquer". At the very last moment, he ordered his soldiers' shields to be emblazoned with the cross. Fighting under Christian banners, he won the greatest victory of his life. Constantine now saw Christ not as the crucified lamb of God, but as a potent God of victory. He was about to turn his back on everything that had made Rome, exchange the protection of many gods for just one, overturn a thousand years of Roman history, and embrace the faith of persecuted radicals. But could Rome withstand this revolution? Constantine was willing to take that gamble. |
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