Introduction
It was at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, on October 28th, 312, that Constantine — encouraged by the British legions — overcame his rival Maxentius and emerged as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. In this passage, his friend and confidant Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, recalls what Constantine told him about his vision before the battle, and the banner that Christ told him to make.
He said that about noon, when the day was already beginning to decline, he saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and bearing the inscription, Conquer In This.* At this sight he himself was struck with amazement, and his whole army also, which followed him on this expedition, and witnessed the miracle.
He said, moreover, that he doubted within himself what the import of this apparition could be. And while he continued to ponder and reason on its meaning, night suddenly came on; then in his sleep the Christ of God appeared to him with the same sign which he had seen in the heavens, and commanded him to make a likeness of that sign which he had seen in the heavens, and to use it as a safeguard in all engagements with his enemies.
At dawn of day he arose, and communicated the marvel to his friends: and then, calling together the workers in gold and precious stones, he sat in the midst of them, and described to them the figure of the sign he had seen, bidding them represent it in gold and precious stones. And this representation I myself have had an opportunity of seeing.
Précis
Eusebius of Caesarea passed on what Constantine told him about the vision he saw before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge: a cross of light in the midday sky, with the message ‘In this sign, conquer’. Afterwards, the vision was confirmed in a dream, in which he was bidden to make a banner to carry into the fight.
(58 / 60 words)
Eusebius of Caesarea passed on what Constantine told him about the vision he saw before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge: a cross of light in the midday sky, with the message ‘In this sign, conquer’. Afterwards, the vision was confirmed in a dream, in which he was bidden to make a banner to carry into the fight.
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