On the Deaths of the Persecutors 19.1–37.6
Latin text: CSEL 27.2 (Latin text: S. Brandt and G. Laubmann (CSEL 27.2, 1897), digitized by Open Greek and Latin, University of Leipzig (csel-dev), CC BY-SA 4.0).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0). Compare: Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 7 (1886).
Chapter 19
19.1CSEL 27.2:194
Cum haec essent constituta, proceditur Kalendis Mais. Constantinum omnes intuebantur, nulla erat dubitatio: milites qui aderant et primores militum electi et acciti ex legionibus in hunc unum intenti gaudebant, optabant et uota faciebant.
When these things had been settled, they went forth on the Kalends of May. Everyone was looking at Constantine; there was no doubt. The soldiers who were present, and the leading soldiers chosen and summoned from the legions, intent on him alone, were rejoicing, wishing, and making vows.
Notes and citation
Summary: On 1 May 305 everyone expected Constantine to be named Caesar.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 19.1 (CSEL 27.2:194; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-19-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
19.2CSEL 27.2:194
erat locus altus extra ciuitatem ad milia fere tria, in cuius summo Maximianus ipse purpuram sumpserat, et ibi columna fuerat erecta cum Iouis signo.
There was a high place about three miles outside the city, on whose summit Maximian himself had taken the purple, and there a column had been set up with a statue of Jupiter.
Notes and citation
Summary: The ceremony was held on a hill near Nicomedia.
- Maximian here is Galerius.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 19.2 (CSEL 27.2:194; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-19-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
19.3CSEL 27.2:194–195
eo pergitur. contio militum conuocatur. incipit senex cum lacrimis, alloquitur milites: se inualidum esse, requiem post labores petere, imperium ualidioribus tradere, alios Caesares subrogare. summa omnium expectatio, quid afferret.
There they went. An assembly of the soldiers was called. The old man began with tears and addressed the soldiers: he was infirm; he sought rest after his labours; he was handing over the empire to stronger men and appointing other Caesars. The expectation of all was at its height, what he would announce.
Notes and citation
Summary: Diocletian tearfully announced his abdication.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 19.3 (CSEL 27.2:194–195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-19-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
19.4CSEL 27.2:195
tunc repente pronuntiat Seuerum et Maximinum Caesares. obstupefiunt omnes. in tribunali Constantinus adstabat susum. haesitare inter se num Constantini immutatum nomen esset, cum in conspectu omnium Maximianus manum retrorsum extendens protraxit a tergo Daiam Constantino repulso et exutum uestem priuatam constituit in medium. mirari omnes qui esset, unde esset.
Then suddenly he proclaimed Severus and Maximinus Caesars. All were stunned. Constantine was standing up on the tribunal. They wondered among themselves whether Constantine's name had been changed, when, in the sight of all, Maximian, stretching his hand backwards, drew Daia forward from behind, thrusting Constantine back, and, having stripped off his private dress, set him in the middle. All wondered who he was, where he came from.
Notes and citation
Summary: Severus and Maximinus Daia were named, to everyone's astonishment.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 19.4 (CSEL 27.2:195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-19-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
19.5CSEL 27.2:195
nemo tamen reclamare ausus est cunctis insperatae nouitate rei turbatis. huic purpuram Diocletianus iniecit suam qua se exuit, et Diocles iterum factus est.
Yet no one dared to protest, all being confused by the novelty of the unexpected event. Diocletian put on him his own purple, which he took off himself, and became Diocles again.
Notes and citation
Summary: Diocletian invested Daia with his own purple and became a private man.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 19.5 (CSEL 27.2:195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-19-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
19.6CSEL 27.2:195
tum descenditur, et reda per ciuitatem ueteranus rex foras exportatur in patriamque dimittitur, Daia uero sublatus nuper a pecoribus et siluis, statim scutarius, continuo protector, mox tribunus, postridie Caesar, accepit Orientem calcandum et conterendum, quippe qui neque militiam neque rem publicam sciret, iam non pecorum, sed militum pastor.
Then they descended, and the old king was carried out through the city in a carriage and dismissed to his homeland; while Daia, lately taken from the herds and the forests, at once a guardsman, straightway a bodyguard, soon a tribune, the next day a Caesar, received the East to trample and crush, since he knew neither soldiering nor statecraft, now a shepherd not of cattle but of soldiers.
Notes and citation
Summary: Diocletian retired; Daia, raised overnight from obscurity, received the East.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 19.6 (CSEL 27.2:195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-19-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 20
20.1CSEL 27.2:195
Maximianus postquam senibus expulsis quod uoluit effecit, se iam solum totius orbis dominum [esse] ferebat. nam Constantium quamuis priorem nominari esset necesse, contemnebat, quod et natura mitis esset et ualitudine corporis impeditus.
Maximian, after he had achieved what he wanted by expelling the old men, now considered himself sole master of the whole world. For although Constantius had to be named first, he despised him, because he was both gentle by nature and hampered by bodily ill-health.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius now saw himself as master of the world and despised the ailing Constantius.
- The edition brackets “esse” as spurious; it is left out.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 20.1 (CSEL 27.2:195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-20-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
20.2CSEL 27.2:195–196
hunc sperabat breui obiturum, et si non obisset, uel inuitum exuere facile uidebatur. quid enim faceret, si a tribus cogeretur imperium deponere?
He hoped that he would soon die, and if he did not die, it seemed easy to strip him of power even against his will. For what could he do if he were compelled by three to lay down the empire?
Notes and citation
Summary: He expected Constantius to die or to be easily removed.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 20.2 (CSEL 27.2:195–196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-20-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
20.3CSEL 27.2:196
habebat ipse Licinium ueteris contubernii amicum et a prima militia familiarem, cuius consiliis ad omnia regenda utebatur, sed eum Caesarem facere noluit, ne filium nominaret, ut postea in Constantii
He himself had Licinius, a friend of old comradeship and intimate from his first military service, whose counsels he used in governing everything; but he did not wish to make him Caesar, so as not to call him son, so that afterwards in the place of Constantius
Notes and citation
Summary: He planned to raise his friend Licinius directly to Augustus.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 20.3 (CSEL 27.2:196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-20-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
20.4CSEL 27.2:196
locum nuncuparet Augustum atque fratrem, tunc uero ipse principatum teneret ac pro arbitrio suo debacchatus in orbem terrae uicennalia celebraret ac substituto Caesare filio suo, qui tunc erat nouennis, et ipse deponeret; ita cum imperii summam tenerent Licinius ac Seuerus et secundum Caesarum nomen Maximinus et Candidianus, inexpugnabili muro circumsaeptus securam et tranquillam degeret senectutem.
he might name him Augustus and brother; and then he himself would hold the first place, and having raged through the world at his pleasure he would celebrate his twentieth anniversary, and, having appointed as Caesar his son, who was then nine years old, he too would lay down power; so that, while Licinius and Severus held the supreme power and Maximinus and Candidianus the second title of Caesars, he, surrounded by an impregnable wall, might spend a secure and tranquil old age.
Notes and citation
Summary: He planned to rule, then retire safely behind a wall of his own appointees.
- Candidianus was Galerius's illegitimate son.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 20.4 (CSEL 27.2:196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-20-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
20.5CSEL 27.2:196
huc consilia eius tendebant. sed deus, quem sibi fecit infestum, cuncta illius cogitata dissoluit.
To this his plans were tending. But God, whom he had made his enemy, broke up all his designs.
Notes and citation
Summary: God frustrated all his plans.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 20.5 (CSEL 27.2:196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-20-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 21
21.1CSEL 27.2:196
Adeptus igitur maximam potestatem ad uexandum orbem.
Having obtained supreme power, then, to harass the world,
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius set about oppressing the world.
- The sentence continues in the next section.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.1 (CSEL 27.2:196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
21.2CSEL 27.2:196
quem sibi patefecerat, animum intendit. nam post deuictos Persas, quorum hic ritus, hic mos est, ut regibus suis in seruitium se addicant et reges populo suo tamquam familia utantur, hunc morem nefarius homo in Romanam terram uoluit inducere: quem ex illo tempore uictoriae sine pudore laudabat.
which he had opened for himself, he bent his mind. For after the Persians were conquered, whose rite and custom it is to give themselves into slavery to their kings, and for kings to treat their people as a household of slaves, this wicked man wished to bring this custom into the Roman land; and from the time of that victory he praised it without shame.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius wanted to impose Persian-style servitude on Roman subjects.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.2 (CSEL 27.2:196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
21.3CSEL 27.2:196
et quia id aperte iubere non poterat, sic agebat, ut et ipse libertatem hominibus auferret. in primis honores ademit. torquebantur ab eo non decuriones modo, sed primores etiam ciuitatum, egregii ac perfectissimi uiri, et quidem in causis leuibus atque ciuilibus. si morte digni uiderentur, cruces stabant, sin minus, compedes parati.
And because he could not command it openly, he acted so that he too might take liberty away from people. First of all he took away honours. Not only town councillors but even the leading men of the cities, men of eminent and most perfect rank, were tortured by him, and that in trivial and civil cases. If they seemed worthy of death, crosses stood ready; if not, fetters.
Notes and citation
Summary: He abolished the legal privileges of the upper classes and tortured even leading citizens.
- Egregii and perfectissimi were formal equestrian ranks.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.3 (CSEL 27.2:196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
21.4CSEL 27.2:196–197
matres familias ingenuae ac nobiles in gynaeceum rapiebantur. si quis esset uerberandus, defixi in stabulo pali quattuor stabant, ad quos nullus umquam seruus distendi solebat.
Freeborn and noble mothers of families were dragged into the weaving-house. If anyone was to be flogged, four stakes stood fixed in the stable, to which no slave had ever been accustomed to be stretched.
Notes and citation
Summary: Noblewomen were forced into labour and free men flogged in a cruel way.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.4 (CSEL 27.2:196–197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
21.5CSEL 27.2:197
quid lusorium uel delicias eius referam? habebat ursos ferociae ac magnitudinis suae simillimos, quos toto imperii sui tempore elegerat. quotiens delectari libuerat, horum aliquem adferri nominatim iubebat.
Why should I tell of his sport or his pleasures? He had bears most like himself in ferocity and size, which he had collected through the whole time of his reign. Whenever he felt like being amused, he ordered one of them to be brought by name.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius kept man-eating bears for amusement.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.5 (CSEL 27.2:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
21.6CSEL 27.2:197
his homines non plane comedendi, sed obsorbendi obiectabantur: quorum artus cum dissiparentur, ridebat suauissime nec umquam sine humano cruore cenabat. dignitatem non habentibus poena ignis fuit.
To these men were thrown, not so much to be eaten as to be swallowed; and when their limbs were torn apart, he laughed most pleasantly, and he never dined without human blood. For those without rank, the punishment was fire.
Notes and citation
Summary: He watched men thrown to his bears and burned commoners.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.6 (CSEL 27.2:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
21.7CSEL 27.2:197
id exitn primo aduersus Christianos permiserat datis legibus, ut post tormenta damnati lentis ignibus urerentur.
He had first allowed this against the Christians by enacting laws that, after torture, the condemned should be burned with slow fires.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Notes and citation
Summary: Death by slow fire had first been used against Christians.
- The digital text reads “id exitn”, probably corrupt; the sense is clear.
Topics: Persecution, Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.7 (CSEL 27.2:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
21.8CSEL 27.2:197
qui cum deligati fuissent, subdebatur primo pedibus lenis flamma tamdiu. donec callum solorum contractum igni ab ossibus reuelleretur.
When they had been bound, a gentle flame was first put under their feet, until the soles of the feet, shrivelled by the fire, were torn away from the bones.
Notes and citation
Summary: The torture began with slowly burning the feet.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.8 (CSEL 27.2:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
21.9CSEL 27.2:197
deinde incensae faces et extinctae admouebantur singulis membris, ita ut locus nullus in corpore relinqueretur intactus. et inter haec suffundebatur facies aqua frigida et os umore abluebatur, ne arescentibus siccitate faucibus cito spiritus redderetur:
Then torches, lit and put out, were applied to each limb, so that no place on the body was left untouched. And meanwhile the face was drenched with cold water and the mouth moistened, lest, the throat drying out, the breath be given up quickly;
Notes and citation
Summary: Every limb was burned while the victim was kept alive with water.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.9 (CSEL 27.2:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
21.10CSEL 27.2:197
quod postremo accidebat, cum per multum diem decocta omni cute uis ignis ad intima uiscera penetrasset. hinc rogo facto cremabantur corpora iam cremata.
which happened at last when, after a long day, all the skin having been roasted, the force of the fire had penetrated to the inmost organs. Then a pyre was made and the bodies, already burned, were burned.
Notes and citation
Summary: When death finally came, the bodies were burned on a pyre.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.10 (CSEL 27.2:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
21.11CSEL 27.2:197–198
lecta ossa et in puluerem comminuta iactabantur in flumina ac mare.
The bones were gathered, ground to powder, and thrown into rivers and the sea.
Notes and citation
Summary: The ashes were scattered in rivers and the sea.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 21.11 (CSEL 27.2:197–198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-21-11).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 22
22.1CSEL 27.2:198
Quae igitur in Christianis excruciandis didicerat, consuetudine ipsa in omnes exercebat.
What he had learned, then, in torturing Christians he practised by force of habit against everyone.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius applied the tortures learned on Christians to everyone.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 22.1 (CSEL 27.2:198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-22-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
22.2CSEL 27.2:198
nulla <poena> penes eum leuis, non insulae, non carceres, non metalla, sed ignis, crux, ferae in illo erant cotidiana et facilia.
No punishment with him was light: not islands, not prisons, not the mines; but fire, the cross, and wild beasts were for him daily and easy.
Notes and citation
Summary: He used only the harshest penalties.
- “punishment” (poena) is the editor's supplement.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 22.2 (CSEL 27.2:198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-22-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
22.3CSEL 27.2:198
domestici et administratores lancea emendabantur. in causa [poena] capitis [et] animaduersio gladii admodum paucis quasi beneficium deferebatur, qui ob merita uetera impetrauerant bonam mortem.
Servants and officials were corrected with the lance. In a capital case, execution by the sword was granted as a favour to very few, who for old services had obtained a good death.
Notes and citation
Summary: Even beheading was a rare favour.
- The edition brackets “poena” and “et” as spurious; they are left out.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR misread in the digital text): adminlstratores → administratores.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 22.3 (CSEL 27.2:198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-22-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
22.4CSEL 27.2:198
iam illa < prae > his leuia fuerunt eloquentia extincta, causidici sublati, iure consulti aut relegati aut necati, litterae autem inter malas artes habitae et qui eas nouerant, pro inimicis hostibusque protriti et execrati.
Now these things were light compared with those: eloquence was extinguished, advocates removed, jurists either banished or killed, and letters were counted among evil arts, and those who knew them were trampled down and cursed as enemies and foes.
Notes and citation
Summary: Learning and the legal profession were suppressed.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 22.4 (CSEL 27.2:198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-22-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
22.5CSEL 27.2:198
licentia rerum omnium solutis legibus adsumpta et iudicibus data. iudices militares humanitatis litterarum rudes sine adsessoribus in prouincias immissi.
Licence in all things was assumed, the laws being set aside, and given to the judges. Military judges, ignorant of humane letters, were sent into the provinces without assessors.
Notes and citation
Summary: Laws were set aside and uneducated soldiers made judges.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 22.5 (CSEL 27.2:198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-22-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 23
23.1CSEL 27.2:198
At uero illud publicae calamitatis et communis luctus omnium fuit, census in prouincias et ciuitates semel missus. censitoribus ubique diffusis et omnia exagitantibus hostilis tumultus et captiuitatis horrendae species erant.
But what brought public calamity and common grief to all was the census sent at one time into the provinces and cities. The census-takers were spread everywhere and harried everything; there were scenes of an enemy onslaught and of horrible captivity.
Notes and citation
Summary: A new census brought universal misery.
- The census of 306.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 23.1 (CSEL 27.2:198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-23-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
23.2CSEL 27.2:198–199
agri glebatim metiebantur, uites et arbores numerabantur, animalia omnis generis scribebantur, hominum capita notabantur. in ciuitatibus urbanae ac rusticae plebes adunatae, fora omnia gregibus familiarum referta, unus quisque cum liberis, cum seruis aderant, tormenta ac uerbera personabant, filii aduersus parentes suspendebantur. fidelissimi quique serui contra dominos uexabantur, uxores aduersus maritos.
Fields were measured clod by clod, vines and trees counted, animals of every kind registered, heads of people recorded. In the cities the urban and rural populace were gathered together; all the forums were crammed with herds of households; each person was present with children and slaves; tortures and floggings resounded; sons were hung up against their parents; all the most faithful slaves were tormented against their masters, wives against their husbands.
Notes and citation
Summary: Everyone was registered, and family members tortured to testify against each other.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 23.2 (CSEL 27.2:198–199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-23-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
23.3CSEL 27.2:199
si omnia defecerant, ipsi contra se torquebantur et cum dolor uicerat, adscribebantur quae non habebantur.
If all this failed, they were tortured against themselves, and when pain had won, things they did not have were written down against them.
Notes and citation
Summary: People were tortured into declaring property they did not own.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 23.3 (CSEL 27.2:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-23-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
23.4CSEL 27.2:199
nulla aetatis, ualitudinis excusatio. aegri et debiles deferebantur, aestimabantur aetates singulorum, paruulis adiciebantur anni, senibus detrahebantur. luctu et maestitia plena omnia.
No excuse of age or health was allowed. The sick and disabled were brought in; the ages of each were estimated; years were added to little children and taken from the old. Everything was full of grief and sorrow.
Notes and citation
Summary: No one was exempted; ages were falsified to increase taxes.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 23.4 (CSEL 27.2:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-23-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
23.5CSEL 27.2:199
quae ueteres aduersus uictos iure belli fecerant, et ille aduersus Romanos Romanisque subiectos facere ausus est, quia parentes eius censui subiugati fuerant, quem Traianus Daciis assidue rebellantibus poenae gratia uictor imposuit.
What the ancients had done to the conquered by the law of war, he dared to do to Romans and Roman subjects, because his forefathers had been subjected to the census which Trajan, as victor, had imposed on the Dacians as a punishment for their constant rebellions.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius treated Romans as conquered people, in revenge for Trajan's census on the Dacians.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 23.5 (CSEL 27.2:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-23-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
23.6CSEL 27.2:199
post hoc pecuniae pro capitibus pendebantur et merces pro uita dabatur. non tamen isdem censitoribus fides habebatur, sed alii super alios mittebantur tamquam plura inuenturi, et duplicabatur semper, illis non inuenientibus, sed ut libuit addentibus, ne frustra missi uiderentur.
After this, money was paid for heads, and a price was given for life. Yet the same census-takers were not trusted, but others were sent after others, as if to find more, and the assessments were always doubled, not because they found anything, but because they added as they pleased, so as not to seem to have been sent in vain.
Notes and citation
Summary: Successive assessors kept raising the tax arbitrarily.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 23.6 (CSEL 27.2:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-23-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
23.7CSEL 27.2:199
interea minuebantur animalia et mortales obibant et nihilo minus soluebantur tributa pro mortuis, ut nec uiuere iam nec mori saltim gratis liceret. mendici supererant soli a quibus nihil exigi posset: quos ab omni genere iniuriae tutos miseria et infelicitas fecerat.
Meanwhile the animals decreased and people died, and nonetheless taxes were paid for the dead, so that it was no longer permitted to live, or even to die, for free. Only beggars remained, from whom nothing could be exacted, whom misery and misfortune had made safe from every kind of injury.
Notes and citation
Summary: Taxes were exacted even for the dead; only beggars were exempt.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 23.7 (CSEL 27.2:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-23-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
23.8CSEL 27.2:199
atquin homo pius misertus est illis, ut non egerent. congregari omnes iussit et exportatos nauiculis in mare mergi. adeo hominem misericordem, qui prouiderit ne quis illo imperante miser esset!
But the pious man took pity on them, so that they should not be in want. He ordered them all to be gathered, carried out in boats, and drowned in the sea. So merciful a man, who provided that no one under his rule should be miserable!
Notes and citation
Summary: He had the beggars drowned, a bitter mockery of mercy.
- The praise is ironic.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 23.8 (CSEL 27.2:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-23-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
23.9CSEL 27.2:199–200
ita dum cauet ne quis simulatione mendicitatis censum subterfugiat, multitudinem uerorum miserorum contra omne ius humanitatis occidit.
So, while he took care that no one should escape the census by pretending to be a beggar, he killed a multitude of the truly wretched against every law of humanity.
Notes and citation
Summary: To prevent tax evasion he killed the truly poor.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 23.9 (CSEL 27.2:199–200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-23-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 24
24.1CSEL 27.2:200
Iam propinquauit illi iudicium dei secutumque tempus est quo res eius dilabi ac fluere coeperunt.
Now the judgement of God drew near him, and the time followed in which his affairs began to slip and flow away.
Notes and citation
Summary: God's judgement on Galerius approached.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 24.1 (CSEL 27.2:200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-24-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
24.2CSEL 27.2:200
nondum animum intenderat ad euertendum pellendumue Constantium, dum est occupatus his rebus quas superius exposui: et expectabat obitum eius, sed tam celeriter non putabat obiturum.
He had not yet turned his mind to overthrowing or driving out Constantius, while he was occupied with the things I have set out above; and he was waiting for his death, but did not think he would die so quickly.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius awaited Constantius's death but did not expect it so soon.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 24.2 (CSEL 27.2:200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-24-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
24.3CSEL 27.2:200
qui cum grauiter laboraret. miserat litteras, ut filium suum Constantinum remitteret sibi uidendum, quem iam dudum <frustra repetierat>.
He, being gravely ill, had sent a letter asking him to send back his son Constantine to see him, whom he had long since asked back in vain.
Notes and citation
Summary: The dying Constantius asked for Constantine to be sent to him.
- “in vain asked back” is the editor's supplement.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 24.3 (CSEL 27.2:200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-24-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
24.4CSEL 27.2:200
ille uero nihil minus uolebat. nam et in insidiis saepe iuuenem adpetiuerat, quia palam nihil audebat, ne contra se arma ciuilia et. quod maxime uerebatur, odia militum concitaret, <et> sub obtentu exercitii ac lusus feris illum
But he wanted nothing less. For he had often attacked the young man by ambushes, since he dared nothing openly, lest he stir up civil war against himself and, what he feared most, the hatred of the soldiers; and under pretext of exercise and sport he had thrown him to wild beasts,
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius had secretly tried to have Constantine killed.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 24.4 (CSEL 27.2:200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-24-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
24.5CSEL 27.2:200
obiecerat, sed frustra, quoniam dei manus hominem protegebat. qui illum de manibus eius liberauit in ipso cardine. namque saepius <rogatus> cum iam diu negare non posset. dedit illi sigillum inclinante iam die praecepitque, ut postridie mane acceptis mandatis proficisceretur, uel ipse illum occasione aliqua retentaturus uel praemissurus litteras, ut a Seuero teneretur.
but in vain, since the hand of God protected the man, who delivered him from his hands at the very turning-point. For, having been asked many times, when he could no longer refuse, he gave him the seal as the day was already declining and ordered him to set out the next morning after receiving his instructions, intending either to detain him on some pretext himself or to send letters ahead so that he would be held by Severus.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius finally gave Constantine leave, planning to detain him.
- The seal is the warrant for the imperial post. “having been asked” is the editor's supplement.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 24.5 (CSEL 27.2:200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-24-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
24.6CSEL 27.2:200
quae cum ille prospiceret, quiescente iam imperatore post cenam properauit exire sublatisque per mansiones multas omnibus equis publicis euolauit.
When he foresaw this, while the emperor was resting after dinner he hurried to leave, and, carrying off all the public horses at many posting-stations, he flew away.
Notes and citation
Summary: Constantine left at night, taking the post-horses to prevent pursuit.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR misread in the digital text): lam imperatore → iam imperatore.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 24.6 (CSEL 27.2:200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-24-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
24.7CSEL 27.2:200–201
postridie imperator cum consulto ad medium diem usque dormisset, uocari eum iubet. dicitur ei post cenam statim profectus. indignari ac fremere coepit. poscebat equos publicos, ut eum retrahi faceret. nudatus ei cursus publicus nuntiatur. uix lacrimas tenebat.
The next day the emperor, having deliberately slept until midday, ordered him to be called. He was told that he had set out right after dinner. He began to be indignant and to roar. He demanded the public horses, to have him dragged back. He was told that the public post had been stripped bare. He could scarcely hold back his tears.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius found Constantine gone and could not pursue him.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 24.7 (CSEL 27.2:200–201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-24-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
24.8CSEL 27.2:201
at ille incredibili celeritate usus peruenit ad patrem iam deficientem, qui ei militibus commendato imperium per manus tradidit. atque ita in lecto suo requiem uitae, sicut optabat, accepit.
But he, travelling with incredible speed, reached his father, who was already failing; and he, having commended him to the soldiers, handed the empire over to him with his own hands. And so he received the rest of life in his own bed, as he had wished.
Notes and citation
Summary: Constantine reached his dying father, who handed the empire to him.
- Constantius died at York on 25 July 306.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 24.8 (CSEL 27.2:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-24-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
24.9CSEL 27.2:201
suscepto imperio Constantinus Augustus nihil egit prius quam (Christianos cultui ac deo suo reddere. haec fuit prima eius sanctio sanctae religionis restitutae.
Having taken up the empire, Constantine Augustus did nothing before restoring the Christians to their worship and their God. This was his first enactment for the restoration of the holy religion.
Notes and citation
Summary: Constantine's first act was to restore Christian worship.
- The author's claim; it fits Constantine's later policy, but his first measures in Gaul are not otherwise documented.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 24.9 (CSEL 27.2:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-24-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 25
25.1CSEL 27.2:201
Paucis post diebus laureata imago eius adlata est ad malam bestiam. deliberauit diu an susciperet.
A few days later his laurelled portrait was brought to the evil beast. He deliberated long whether to accept it.
Notes and citation
Summary: Constantine's portrait was sent to Galerius, who hesitated to accept it.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 25.1 (CSEL 27.2:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-25-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
25.2CSEL 27.2:201
in eo paene res fuit, ut illam et ipsum qui attulerat exureret, nisi eum amici ab illo furore flexissent admonentes eum periculi, quod uniuersi milites, quibus inuitis ignoti Caesares erant facti, suscepturi Constantinum fuissent atque ad eum concursuri alacritate summa, si uenisset armatus.
It very nearly came to his burning both it and the man who had brought it, had not his friends turned him from that frenzy, warning him of the danger that all the soldiers, against whose will unknown men had been made Caesars, would accept Constantine and run to him with the greatest eagerness if he came armed.
Notes and citation
Summary: His friends warned that the army would side with Constantine.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 25.2 (CSEL 27.2:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-25-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
25.3CSEL 27.2:201
suscepit itaque imaginem admodum inuitus atque ipsi purpuram misit, ut ultro asciuisse illum in societatem uideretur.
So he accepted the portrait, quite unwillingly, and sent him the purple, so that he might seem to have taken him into partnership of his own accord.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius reluctantly recognized Constantine.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 25.3 (CSEL 27.2:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-25-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
25.4CSEL 27.2:201
iam turbatae rationes eius fuerant nec poterat alterum extra numerum nuncupare, ut uoluerat.
Now his plans had been thrown into confusion, and he could not name another beyond the number, as he had wished.
Notes and citation
Summary: His plan to appoint Licinius was upset.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 25.4 (CSEL 27.2:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-25-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
25.5CSEL 27.2:201
sed illud excogitauit, ut Seuerum, qui erat aetate maturior, Augustum nuncuparet, Constantinum uero non imperatorem, sicut erat factus, sed Caesarem cum Maximino appellari iuberet, ut eum de secundo loco reiceret in quartum.
But he devised this: he named Severus, who was older, Augustus, and ordered that Constantine be called, not emperor, as he had been made, but Caesar together with Maximinus, so as to push him down from second place to fourth.
Notes and citation
Summary: He made Severus Augustus and demoted Constantine to Caesar.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 25.5 (CSEL 27.2:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-25-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 26
26.1CSEL 27.2:201
Compositae ei res quodam modo iam uidebantur, cum subito illi alius terror adlatus est, generum ipsius Maxentium Romae factum imperatorem. cuius motus haec fuit causa.
His affairs seemed now in some measure settled, when suddenly another terror was brought to him: that his son-in-law Maxentius had been made emperor at Rome. The cause of this uprising was this.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maxentius was proclaimed emperor at Rome.
- 28 October 306.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.1 (CSEL 27.2:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
26.2CSEL 27.2:201–202
cum statuisset censibus institutis orbem terrae deuorare, ad hanc usque prosiluit insaniam, ut ab hac captiuitate ne populum quidem Romanum fieri uellet inmunem. ordinabantur iam censitores qui Romam missi describerent plebem.
Having resolved to devour the world by instituting censuses, he leapt to such madness that he did not want even the Roman people to be exempt from this captivity. Census-takers were already being appointed to be sent to Rome to register the populace.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius extended the census even to Rome.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.2 (CSEL 27.2:201–202; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
26.3CSEL 27.2:202
eodem fere tempore castra quoque praetoria sustulerat. itaque milites pauci, qui Romae in castris relicti erant, opportunitatem nancti occisis quibusdam iudicibus non inuito populo, qui erat concitatus, Maxentium purpuram induerant.
At about the same time he had also abolished the praetorian camp. So the few soldiers who had been left in the camp at Rome, seizing the opportunity, killed certain magistrates, with the consent of the people, who had been stirred up, and invested Maxentius with the purple.
Notes and citation
Summary: The remaining praetorians and the people proclaimed Maxentius.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.3 (CSEL 27.2:202; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
26.4CSEL 27.2:202
quo nuntio adlato aliquantum rei nouitate turbatus est nec tamen nimium territus. et oderat hominem et tres Caesares facere non poterat.
When this news was brought, he was somewhat disturbed by the novelty of the event, yet not too frightened. He both hated the man and could not make three Caesars.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius was disturbed but unwilling to recognize Maxentius.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.4 (CSEL 27.2:202; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
26.5CSEL 27.2:202
satis uisum est semel fecisse quod noluit. Seuerum arcessit, hortatur ad recipiendum imperium, mittit eum cum exercitu Maximiani ad expugnandum Maxentium, et mittit Romam, in qua milites illi summis deliciis saepissime excepti non modo saluam esse illam urbem, sed ibi uiuere optarent.
It seemed enough to have once done what he did not wish. He summoned Severus, urged him to recover the empire, sent him with Maximian's army to crush Maxentius; and he sent him to Rome, where those soldiers, having very often been received with the greatest luxuries, wished not only that the city be safe but to live there.
Notes and citation
Summary: He sent Severus with Maximian's former army against Rome.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.5 (CSEL 27.2:202; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
26.6CSEL 27.2:202
Maxentius tanti facinoris sibi conscius, licet iure hereditatis paternos milites traducere ad se posset, cogitans tamen fieri posse ut Maximianus socer id ipsum metuens Seuerum in Illyrico relinqueret atque ipse cum suo exercitu ad se oppugnandum ueniret, quaerebat quatenus se a periculo impendente muniret.
Maxentius, conscious of so great a deed, although by right of inheritance he could bring his father's soldiers over to himself, yet thinking it possible that Maximian his father-in-law, fearing this very thing, might leave Severus in Illyricum and come himself with his own army to attack him, was seeking how to protect himself against the impending danger.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maxentius looked for protection against Galerius.
- The father-in-law is Galerius.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.6 (CSEL 27.2:202; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
26.7CSEL 27.2:202
patri suo post depositum imperium in Campania moranti purpuram mittit et bis Augustum nominat. ille uero et rerum nouarum cupidus et qui deposuerat inuitus, libenter arripuit.
He sent the purple to his father, who was staying in Campania after laying down the empire, and named him Augustus a second time. And he, both eager for revolution and having laid down power unwillingly, gladly seized it.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maxentius recalled his father Maximian to power, which he gladly accepted.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.7 (CSEL 27.2:202; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
26.8CSEL 27.2:202
Seuerus interim uadit et ad muros urbis armatus accedit. statim milites sublatis signis abeunt et se (ei> contra quem uenerant, tradunt.
Severus meanwhile advanced and approached the walls of the city in arms. At once the soldiers took up their standards, departed, and surrendered to the man against whom they had come.
Notes and citation
Summary: Severus's soldiers deserted to Maxentius.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.8 (CSEL 27.2:202; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
26.9CSEL 27.2:202
quid restabat deserto nisi fuga? sed occurrebat iam resumpto imperio Maximianus, cuius aduentu Rauennam confugit ibique se cum paucis militibus inclusit.
What remained for the deserted man but flight? But Maximian, having resumed the empire, was already coming to meet him; at his approach he fled to Ravenna and shut himself up there with a few soldiers.
Notes and citation
Summary: Severus fled to Ravenna.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.9 (CSEL 27.2:202; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
26.10CSEL 27.2:202–203
qui cum uideret futurum ut Maximiano traderetur, dedidit se ipse uestemque purpuream eidem a quo acceperat, reddidit.
When he saw that he would be handed over to Maximian, he surrendered himself and gave back the purple robe to the very man from whom he had received it.
Notes and citation
Summary: Severus surrendered to Maximian.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.10 (CSEL 27.2:202–203; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
26.11CSEL 27.2:203
quo facto nihil aliud impetrauit nisi bonam mortem. nam uenis eius incisis leniter mori coactus est. [ab hoc capite suos persequi.]
By doing this he obtained nothing but a good death. For his veins were cut and he was forced to die gently.
Notes and citation
Summary: Severus was forced to open his veins.
- The edition brackets the words “ab hoc capite suos persequi” (“from this point to pursue his own”) as a spurious gloss; they are left out.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 26.11 (CSEL 27.2:203; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-26-11).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 27
27.1CSEL 27.2:203–204
Herculius uero cum Maximiani nosset insaniam, cogitare coepit illum audita nece Seueri inflammatum ira susceptis inimicitiis cum exercitu esse uenturum et fortasse adiuncto Maximino ac duplicatis copiis, quibus resisti nullo modo posset, <et> urbe munita et rebus <omnibus> diligenter instructa proficiscitur in Galliam, ut Constantinum partibus suis conciliaret suae minoris filiae nuptiis.
But Herculius, knowing Maximian's madness, began to think that, on hearing of Severus's death, inflamed with anger, having taken up enmity, he would come with an army, perhaps joined by Maximinus and with doubled forces, which could in no way be resisted; so, having fortified the city and carefully provided everything, he set out for Gaul, to win Constantine to his side by marriage with his younger daughter.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian went to Gaul to ally with Constantine by giving him his daughter in marriage.
- Herculius is Maximian; the other Maximian here is Galerius. The daughter is Fausta, married to Constantine in 307.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 27.1 (CSEL 27.2:203–204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-27-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
27.2CSEL 27.2:204
ille interea coacto exercitu inuadit Italiam, ad urbem accedit senatum extincturus, populum trucidaturus: uerum clausa et munita omnia offendit. nulla erat spes inrumpendi, oppugnatio difficilis, ad circumsedenda moenia non satis copiarum: quippe qui numquam uiderat Romam aestimaretque illam non multo esse maiorem quam quas nouerat ciuitates.
Meanwhile he, having gathered an army, invaded Italy and approached the city to destroy the senate and slaughter the people; but he found everything closed and fortified. There was no hope of breaking in; an assault was difficult; there were not enough troops to surround the walls, since he had never seen Rome and supposed it was not much larger than the cities he knew.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius invaded Italy but found Rome too large to besiege.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 27.2 (CSEL 27.2:204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-27-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
27.3CSEL 27.2:204
tunc quaedam legiones detestantes scelus, quod socer generum oppugnaret et quod Romani milites Romam, translatis signis imperium reliquerunt.
Then certain legions, detesting the crime that a father-in-law should attack his son-in-law and Roman soldiers Rome, transferred their standards and abandoned his command.
Notes and citation
Summary: Some legions deserted him.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 27.3 (CSEL 27.2:204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-27-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
27.4CSEL 27.2:204
et iam ceteri milites nutabant, cum ille fracta superbia dimissisque animis Seueri exitum metuens ad pedes militum prouolutus orabat ne hosti traderetur, donec promissis ingentibus flexit animos eorum et retro signa conuertit ac fugam trepidus capessiuit, in qua opprimi facillime potuit, si cum paucis quispiam sequeretur.
And the rest of the soldiers were already wavering, when he, his pride broken and his spirit cast down, fearing the fate of Severus, threw himself at the soldiers' feet and begged not to be handed over to the enemy, until by huge promises he swayed their minds; and he turned back his standards and in alarm took to flight, in which he could very easily have been overwhelmed if anyone had followed with a few men.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius begged his troops not to betray him and retreated.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 27.4 (CSEL 27.2:204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-27-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
27.5CSEL 27.2:204
quod cum timeret, dedit militibus potestatem ut dispersi quam latissime diriperent omnia uel corrumperent, ut si quis insequi uoluisset, utensilia non haberet.
Fearing this, he gave the soldiers leave to scatter as widely as possible and plunder or spoil everything, so that anyone who wished to pursue would have no supplies.
Notes and citation
Summary: He let his soldiers plunder to hinder pursuit.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 27.5 (CSEL 27.2:204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-27-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
27.6CSEL 27.2:204
uastata est igitur ea pars Italiae qua pestiferum illud agmen incessit, expilata omnia, mulieres corruptae, uirgines uiolatae, extorti parentes et mariti, ut filias, ut coniuges, ut opes suas proderent. abactae tamquam de barbaris praedae pecorum ac iumentorum.
So that part of Italy through which that pestilent column marched was laid waste: everything pillaged, women corrupted, virgins violated, parents and husbands tortured to give up their daughters, their wives, their wealth. Flocks and herds were driven off as booty, as if from barbarians.
Notes and citation
Summary: His army ravaged northern Italy.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 27.6 (CSEL 27.2:204; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-27-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
27.7CSEL 27.2:204–205
hoc modo se ad sedes suas recepit, cum Romanus quondam imperator, nunc populator Italiae, hostiliter uniuersa uexasset.
In this way he withdrew to his own seat, having as an enemy harassed everything, once a Roman emperor, now the ravager of Italy.
Notes and citation
Summary: He returned home as a ravager of Italy.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 27.7 (CSEL 27.2:204–205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-27-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
27.8CSEL 27.2:205
olim quidem ille ut nomen imperatoris acceperat, hostem se Romani nominis erat professus, cuius titulum immutari uolebat, ut non Romanum imperium, sed Daciscum cognominaretur.
Long before, indeed, as soon as he had received the name of emperor, he had professed himself an enemy of the Roman name, whose title he wished to change, so that it should be called not the Roman but the Dacian empire.
Notes and citation
Summary: He had long wished to rename the Roman empire the Dacian empire.
- The claim is found only here.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 27.8 (CSEL 27.2:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-27-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 28
28.1CSEL 27.2:205
Post huius fugam cum se Maximianus alter e Gallia recepisset, habebat imperium commune cum filio. sed iuueni magis parebatur quam seni, quippe cum prior <esset> et maior filii potestas, qui etiam patri reddiderat imperium.
After his flight, when the other Maximian had returned from Gaul, he held the empire in common with his son. But the young man was obeyed more than the old, since the son's power was prior and greater, as he had even given back the empire to his father.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian shared rule with Maxentius, who held the real power.
- “was” (esset) is the editor's supplement.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 28.1 (CSEL 27.2:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-28-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
28.2CSEL 27.2:205
ferebat iniquo animo senex quod non posset libere facere quae uellet, et filio suo puerili aemulatione inuidebat. cogitabat ergo expellere adulescentem, ut sibi sua uindicaret: quod facile uidebatur, quia milites < ei > erant qui Seuerum reliquerant.
The old man bore it ill that he could not freely do what he wished, and he envied his own son with childish rivalry. So he planned to drive out the young man, so as to claim for himself what was his: which seemed easy, because the soldiers who had deserted Severus were his.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian plotted to overthrow his son.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 28.2 (CSEL 27.2:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-28-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
28.3CSEL 27.2:205
aduocauit populum ac milites quasi contionem de praesentibus rei publicae malis habiturus. de quibus cum multa dixisset, conuertit ad filium manus et illum esse dicens auctorem malorum, illum principem calamitatum, quas res publica sustineret, deripuit ab humeris eius purpuram.
He called together the people and the soldiers as if to hold an assembly on the present evils of the state. When he had said much about them, he turned his hands against his son, and, saying that he was the author of the evils and the source of the calamities the state was suffering, he tore the purple from his shoulders.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian publicly blamed Maxentius and tore off his purple.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 28.3 (CSEL 27.2:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-28-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
28.4CSEL 27.2:205
exutus ille praecipitem se de tribunali dedit et a militibus exceptus est. quorum ira et clamore perturbatus est senex impius et ab urbe Roma tamquam Superbus alter exactus [est].
Stripped of it, he flung himself headlong from the tribunal and was caught by the soldiers. By their anger and uproar the impious old man was thrown into confusion and driven from the city of Rome like a second Superbus.
Notes and citation
Summary: The soldiers sided with Maxentius, and Maximian was driven from Rome.
- Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome, was expelled from the city. The edition brackets a second “est” as spurious; it is left out.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 28.4 (CSEL 27.2:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-28-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 29
29.1CSEL 27.2:205–206
Rediens rursus in Gallias, ubi aliquantum moratus est, profectus <est> ad hostem filii sui Maximianum, quasi ut de componendo rei publicae statu [et] cum eo disputaret. re autem uera, ut illum per occasionem reconciliationis occideret ac regnum eius teneret exclusus a suo quocumque uenisset.
Returning again to Gaul, where he stayed for some time, he set out to his son's enemy Maximian, as if to discuss with him the settling of the state; but in reality to kill him on the occasion of reconciliation and to hold his realm, being shut out from his own wherever he had gone.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian went to Galerius, intending to kill him and take his realm.
- The meeting at Carnuntum, November 308. The edition brackets “et” as spurious; it is left out.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 29.1 (CSEL 27.2:205–206; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-29-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
29.2CSEL 27.2:206
aderat ibi Diocles a genero nuper accitus, ut quod ante non fecerat, praesente illo imperium Licinio daret substituto in Seueri locum. itaque fit utroque praesente. sic uno tempore sex fuerunt.
Diocles was there, lately summoned by his son-in-law, so that what he had not done before he might do in his presence: give the empire to Licinius, put in Severus's place. And so it was done with both present. So at one time there were six.
Notes and citation
Summary: At Carnuntum Licinius was made Augustus; there were now six emperors.
- The six: Galerius, Licinius, Maximinus, Constantine, Maxentius, and Maximian.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 29.2 (CSEL 27.2:206; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-29-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
29.3CSEL 27.2:206
qua re impeditis consiliis senex Maximianus tertiam quoque fugam moliebatur: redit in Galliam plenus malae cogitationis ac sceleris, ut Constantinum imperatorem, generum suum, generi filium, dolo malo circumueniret, et ut posset fallere, deponit regiam uestem. Francorum gens in armis erat.
His plans thus hindered, old Maximian contrived a third flight too. He returned to Gaul full of evil thought and wickedness, to entrap by treachery the emperor Constantine, his son-in-law and the son of his son-in-law; and so as to be able to deceive him, he laid aside his royal dress. The nation of the Franks was in arms.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian returned to Gaul, feigning retirement, to plot against Constantine.
- Theodora, Maximian's daughter or step-daughter (the sources differ), had married Constantius, so Constantine was, loosely, his son-in-law's son (Constantine's mother was Helena, not Theodora).
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 29.3 (CSEL 27.2:206; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-29-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
29.4CSEL 27.2:206
persuadet nihil suspicanti, ne omnem secum exercitum duceret, paucis militibus posse barbaros debellari, ut et ipse haberet exercitum quem occuparet, et ille opprimi posset ob militum paucitatem.
He persuaded him, suspecting nothing, not to take his whole army with him, as the barbarians could be defeated with a few soldiers, so that he himself might have an army to seize, and the other might be overwhelmed because of the fewness of his soldiers.
Notes and citation
Summary: He persuaded Constantine to take only a small force against the Franks.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 29.4 (CSEL 27.2:206; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-29-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
29.5CSEL 27.2:206
credit adulescens ut perito ac seni, paret ut socero: proficiscitur relicta militum parte maiore. ille paucis diebus expectatis cum iam Constantinum aestimaret intrasse fines barbarorum, repente purpuram sumit, thesauros inuadit, donat ut solet large: fingit de Constantino quae in ipsum protinus reciderunt.
The young man believed him as an experienced older man and obeyed him as a father-in-law; he set out, leaving behind the greater part of the soldiers. The other waited a few days, and when he reckoned that Constantine had already entered the barbarians' territory, suddenly took the purple, seized the treasuries, and gave largesse as he usually did; he invented things about Constantine which at once fell back on his own head.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian seized power and the treasury while Constantine was away.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 29.5 (CSEL 27.2:206; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-29-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
29.6CSEL 27.2:206
imperatori propere quae gesta sunt, nuntiantur. admirabili celeritate cum exercitu reuolat. opprimitur homo ex improuiso, nondum satis instructus.
What had happened was quickly reported to the emperor. With astonishing speed he flew back with his army. The man was overwhelmed unexpectedly, not yet sufficiently prepared.
Notes and citation
Summary: Constantine returned at once and caught Maximian unprepared.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 29.6 (CSEL 27.2:206; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-29-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
29.7CSEL 27.2:206–207
milites ad imperatorem suum redeunt. occupauerat Massiliam et portas obserauerat. accedit propius imperator et in muro adstantem alloquitur, non aspere nec hostiliter, sed rogat quid sibi uoluisset, quid ei defuisset, cur faceret quod ipsum praecipue non deceret. ille uero ingerebat maledicta de muris. tum subito a tergo eius portae reserantur, milites recipiuntur.
The soldiers returned to their own emperor. He had seized Massilia and barred the gates. The emperor came nearer and addressed him as he stood on the wall, not harshly or as an enemy, but asked what he had meant, what he had lacked, why he was doing what least of all became him. But he hurled curses from the walls. Then suddenly behind him the gates were unbarred and the soldiers let in.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian held out at Marseille, but the gates were opened to Constantine.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 29.7 (CSEL 27.2:206–207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-29-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
29.8CSEL 27.2:207
attrahitur ad imperatorem rebellis imperator, pater impius, socer perfidus. audit scelera quae fecit, detrahitur ei uestis et increpito uita donatur.
The rebel emperor, the impious father, the faithless father-in-law, was dragged before the emperor. He heard the crimes he had committed; his robe was stripped off, and after a rebuke he was granted his life.
Notes and citation
Summary: Constantine spared Maximian's life.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 29.8 (CSEL 27.2:207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-29-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 30
30.1CSEL 27.2:207
Sic amisso imperatoris ac soceri honore humilitatis impatiens alias rursus insidias machinatus est, quia semel habuit inpune.
So, having lost the honour of emperor and of father-in-law, impatient of his humiliation, he contrived another plot, since he had once got off unpunished.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian plotted again.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 30.1 (CSEL 27.2:207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-30-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
30.2CSEL 27.2:207
uocat filiam Faustam eamque nunc precibus nunc blandimentis sollicitat ad proditionem mariti, alium digniorem uirum pollicetur: petit, cubiculum patens relinqui et neglegentius custodiri sinat.
He called his daughter Fausta and, now by entreaties, now by flatteries, tempted her to betray her husband, promising another, worthier husband; he asked her to allow the bedroom to be left open and more carelessly guarded.
Notes and citation
Summary: He urged Fausta to betray Constantine.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 30.2 (CSEL 27.2:207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-30-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
30.3CSEL 27.2:207
pollicetur illa facturam et refert protinus ad maritum. componitur scaena qua manifesto facinus teneretur. supponitur quidam uilis eunuchus qui pro imperatore moriatur.
She promised to do it and at once reported to her husband. A scene was arranged by which the crime might be caught in the act. A certain worthless eunuch was put in the bed to die in place of the emperor.
Notes and citation
Summary: Fausta told Constantine, who set a trap with a eunuch in his place.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 30.3 (CSEL 27.2:207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-30-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
30.4CSEL 27.2:207
surgit ille nocte intempesta, uidet omnia insidiis opportuna. rari excubitores erant et ii quidem longius: quibus tamen dicit uidisse somnium quod filio suo narrare uellet. ingreditur armatus et spadone obtruncato prosilit gloriabundus ac profitetur quid admiserit.
He rose in the dead of night and saw everything favourable for the plot. The guards were few and those at some distance; yet he told them he had seen a dream which he wanted to tell his son. He went in armed, and, having cut down the eunuch, sprang out boasting and declared what he had done.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian killed the eunuch, thinking it was Constantine.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 30.4 (CSEL 27.2:207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-30-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
30.5CSEL 27.2:207–208
repente se ex altera parte Constantinus ostendit cum globo armatorum. profertur e cubiculo cadauer occisi: haeret manifestarius homicida et mutus stupet, quasi dura silex aut stet Marpesia cautes: impietatis ac sceleris increpatur. postremo datur ei potestas liberae mortis, ac nodum informis leti trabe nectit ab alta.
Suddenly Constantine showed himself on the other side with a band of armed men. The corpse of the slain man was brought out of the bedroom. The murderer, caught in the act, was stuck fast and stood dumb and dazed, “as if he were hard flint or Marpesian rock”; he was rebuked for his impiety and crime. Finally he was granted the choice of his own death, and “from a high beam he tied the knot of an ugly death.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Caught, Maximian was allowed to choose his death and hanged himself.
- The quotations are Virgil, Aen. 6.471 and 12.603. Maximian's death in 310 is presented by other sources as suicide or execution; the plot story is found here and in later writers.
Extrabiblical texts: Virgil, Aen. 6.471 (Virgil; quotation); Virgil, Aen. 12.603 (Virgil; quotation)
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 30.5 (CSEL 27.2:207–208; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-30-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
30.6CSEL 27.2:208
ita ille Romani nominis maximus imperator, qui post longum temporis interuallum cum ingenti gloria uiginti annorum uota celebrauit, eliso et fracto superbissimo gutture uitam detestabilem turpi et ignominiosa morte finiuit.
So that greatest emperor of the Roman name, who after a long interval of time had celebrated with immense glory the vows of twenty years, ended his detestable life with a shameful and ignominious death, his most proud throat crushed and broken.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximian, once a great emperor, died a shameful death.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 30.6 (CSEL 27.2:208; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-30-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 31
31.1CSEL 27.2:208
Ab hoc deus religionis ac populi sui uindex oculos ad Maximianum alterum transtulit, nefandae persecutionis auctorem, ut in eo et iam suae u>im maiestatis ostenderet.
From him God, the avenger of his religion and his people, turned his eyes to the other Maximian, the author of the wicked persecution, so as to show in him also the power of his majesty.
Notes and citation
Summary: God next turned to punish Galerius, author of the persecution.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 31.1 (CSEL 27.2:208; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-31-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
31.2CSEL 27.2:208
iam de agendis et ipse uicennalibus cogitabat. <et ut>, qui iam dudum prouincias afflixerat auri argentique indictionibus factis, quae promiserat redderet, etiam in nomine uicennalium securem alteram < iis > inflixit.
He too was now thinking of celebrating his twentieth anniversary; and, having long since afflicted the provinces by imposing levies of gold and silver, so as to pay what he had promised, he struck them also with a second axe in the name of the anniversary.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius imposed new levies for his twentieth anniversary.
- “and so that” and “them” are the editor's supplements.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 31.2 (CSEL 27.2:208; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-31-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
31.3CSEL 27.2:208–209
qua uexatione generis humani exactio celebrata sit maxime rei annonariae, quis enarrare digne potest? officiorum omnium milites uel potius carnifices singulis adhaerebant. cui prius satisfieret, incertum, uenia non habentibus nulla. sustinendi multiplices cruciatus, nisi exhiberetur statim quod non erat.
With what harassment of the human race the exaction, above all of the grain supply, was carried out, who can worthily tell? Soldiers of all the offices, or rather executioners, clung to each person. Whom to satisfy first was uncertain; there was no mercy for those who had nothing. Manifold tortures had to be endured unless what did not exist was produced at once.
Notes and citation
Summary: Tax-collectors tortured those who could not pay.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 31.3 (CSEL 27.2:208–209; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-31-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
31.4CSEL 27.2:209
multis custodiis circumsaepto nulla respirandi facultas, nullo tempore anni uel exigua requies. frequens super isdem hominibus uel ipsis iudicibus uel militibus iudicum pugna. nulla area sine exactore, nulla uindemia sine custode, nihil ad uictum laborantibus relictum. quae quamquam intolerabilia sint, eripi ab ore hominum cibos labore quaesitos tamen sustentabile aliquo modo uel spe futurorum. quid uestis omnis generis? quid aurum?
Hemmed in by many guards, one had no chance to breathe, no respite at any time of year, however slight. Frequently there was fighting over the same people, either between the magistrates themselves or between the magistrates' soldiers. No threshing-floor without a tax-collector, no vintage without a guard, nothing left to the labourers to live on. Although these things are intolerable, that the food gained by labour should be snatched from people's mouths is still bearable in some way, or by hope of the future. But what of clothing of every kind? What of gold?
Notes and citation
Summary: Every harvest was seized, leaving nothing to live on.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 31.4 (CSEL 27.2:209; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-31-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
31.5CSEL 27.2:209
quid argentum? nonne haec necesse est ex uenditis fructibus comparari? unde igitur haec, o dementissime tyranne, praestabo, cum omnes fructus auferas, uniuersa nascentia uiolenter eripias?
What of silver? Must not these be bought from the sale of produce? From where, then, most insane tyrant, shall I supply them, when you take away all the produce and violently snatch everything that grows?
Notes and citation
Summary: How could people pay in gold and silver when all their produce was taken?
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR misread in the digital text): omues → omnes.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 31.5 (CSEL 27.2:209; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-31-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
31.6CSEL 27.2:209
quis ergo non bonis suis euersus est, ut opes, quae sub imperio eius fuerunt, conraderentur ad uotum, quod non erat celebraturus?
Who, then, was not overturned from his possessions, so that the wealth that was under his rule might be scraped together for a vow which he was not going to celebrate?
Notes and citation
Summary: Everyone was ruined for a celebration Galerius did not live to see.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 31.6 (CSEL 27.2:209; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-31-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 32
32.1CSEL 27.2:209
Nuncupato igitur Licinio imperatore Maximinus iratus nec Caesarem se nec tertio loco nominari uolebat.
When Licinius, then, had been named emperor, Maximinus was angry and did not wish to be called Caesar or to be named in third place.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximinus resented Licinius's promotion over him.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 32.1 (CSEL 27.2:209; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-32-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
32.2CSEL 27.2:209
mittit ergo ad eum saepe legatos, orat sibi pareat, dispositionem suam seruet, cedat aetati et honorem deferat canis.
So he often sent envoys to him, begging him to obey, to keep his arrangement, to yield to age and pay honour to grey hairs.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius urged Maximinus to accept the arrangement.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 32.2 (CSEL 27.2:209; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-32-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
32.3CSEL 27.2:209
at ille tollit audacius cornua et praescriptione temporis pugnat: sese priorem esse debere, qui prior sumpserit purpuram; preces eius et mandata contempsit.
But he raised his horns more boldly and fought with the plea of priority in time: he ought to be first, who had first taken the purple; he scorned his entreaties and commands.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximinus claimed precedence as the senior in appointment.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 32.3 (CSEL 27.2:209; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-32-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
32.4CSEL 27.2:209–210
dolet bestia et mugit, quod cum ideo ignobilem fecisset Caesarem, ut sibi obsequens esset, is tamen tanti beneficii sui oblitus uoluntati ac precibus suis impie repugnaret.
The beast grieved and bellowed, that though he had made a nobody Caesar precisely so that he would be obedient to him, he nevertheless, forgetting so great a kindness, impiously resisted his will and entreaties.
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius was enraged at his nephew's ingratitude.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 32.4 (CSEL 27.2:209–210; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-32-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
32.5CSEL 27.2:210
uictus contumacia tollit Caesarum nomen et se Liciniumque Augustos appellat, Maximinum et Constantinum filios Augustorum. Maximinus postmodum scribit quasi nuntians in campo Martio proxime celebrato Augustum se ab exercitu nuncupatum. recepit ille maestus ac dolens et uniuersos quattuor imperatores iubet nominari.
Overcome by his obstinacy, he abolished the name of Caesars and called himself and Licinius Augusti, and Maximinus and Constantine sons of the Augusti. Maximinus afterwards wrote as if announcing that at the recent review on the Campus Martius he had been named Augustus by the army. He received this sadly and in grief and ordered all four to be named emperors.
Notes and citation
Summary: Eventually all four rulers were recognized as Augusti.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 32.5 (CSEL 27.2:210; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-32-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 33
33.1CSEL 27.2:210
Iam decimus et octauus annus agebatur, cum percussit eum deus insanabili plaga. nascitur ei ulcus malum in inferiori parte genitalium serpitque latius.
Now the eighteenth year was running when God struck him with an incurable blow. An evil ulcer arose on him in the lower part of the genitals and spread more widely.
Acts 12:23 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: In his eighteenth year Galerius was struck by a spreading genital ulcer.
- AD 310. Eusebius (Hist. eccl. 8.16.3–5) also describes the disease. The account echoes the deaths of persecutors in Jewish and Christian tradition (2 Macc 9:5–10, Antiochus; Acts 12:23, Herod). It is written to show divine punishment; the medical details cannot be verified.
Extrabiblical texts: 2 Macc 9:5–10 (2 Maccabees [in RC, EO canons]; echo)
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.1 (CSEL 27.2:210; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
33.2CSEL 27.2:210
medici secant curant. sed inducta iam cicatrice scinditur uulnus et rupta uena fluit sanguis usque ad periculum mortis. uix tamen cruor sistitur. nona ex integro cura. tandem perducitur ad cicatricem.
The physicians cut, they treat. But when a scar had already formed, the wound split open, a vein burst, and blood flowed to the point of danger of death. Yet the bleeding was barely stopped. Treatment had to begin again from the start. At last it was brought to a scar.
Notes and citation
Summary: Surgery failed and the wound haemorrhaged.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.2 (CSEL 27.2:210; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
33.3CSEL 27.2:210
rursus leui corporis m<otu u)ulneratnr: plus sanguinis quam ante decurrit. albescit ipse atque absumptis uiribus tenuatur, et tunc quidem riuus cruoris inhibetur.
Again by a slight movement of the body he was wounded: more blood ran down than before. He turned white and, his strength consumed, wasted away; and then indeed the stream of blood was checked.
Notes and citation
Summary: The wound bled again and he wasted away.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.3 (CSEL 27.2:210; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
33.4CSEL 27.2:210–211
incipit uulnus non sentire medicinam: proxima quaeque cancer inuadit et quanto magis circumsecatur, latius saeuit, quanto curatur, increscit. cessere magistri, Phillyrides Chiron Amythaoniusque Melampus. undique medici nobiles trahuntur: nihil humanae manus promouent.
The wound began not to respond to medicine: a cancer invaded all the parts nearby, and the more it was cut round, the more widely it raged; the more it was treated, the more it grew. “The masters gave up, Chiron son of Philyra and Melampus son of Amythaon.” Famous physicians were dragged in from everywhere: human hands achieved nothing.
Notes and citation
Summary: The cancer spread and famous physicians could do nothing.
- The quotation is Virgil, Georg. 3.549–550.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (stray hyphen in the digital text): cancer -inuadit → cancer inuadit.
Extrabiblical texts: Virgil, Georg. 3.549–550 (Virgil; quotation)
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.4 (CSEL 27.2:210–211; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
33.5CSEL 27.2:211
confugitur ad idola: Apollo et Asclepius orantur, remedium flagitatur. dat Apollo curam: malum multo peius augetur.
They fled to the idols: Apollo and Asclepius were prayed to, a remedy was demanded. Apollo gave a treatment: the evil grew much worse.
Notes and citation
Summary: Appeals to Apollo and Asclepius only made it worse.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.5 (CSEL 27.2:211; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
33.6CSEL 27.2:211
iam non longe pernicies aberat et inferiora omnia corripuerat. conputrescunt forinsecus uiscera et in tabem sedes tota dilabitur. non desinunt tamen infelices medici uel sine spe uincendi mali fouere curare.
Now destruction was not far off and had seized all the lower parts. The bowels rotted outwardly and the whole seat dissolved into corruption. Yet the unhappy physicians did not stop fomenting and treating, even without hope of overcoming the evil.
Notes and citation
Summary: His lower body rotted away while the physicians kept trying.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.6 (CSEL 27.2:211; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
33.7CSEL 27.2:211
repercussum medellis malum recidit introrsus et interna comprehendit, uermes intus creantur. odor it non modo per palatium, sed totam ciuitatem peruadit. nec mirum, cum iam confusi essent exitus stercoris et urinae.
Driven back by remedies, the evil fell back inward and seized the internal organs; worms were bred within. The stench went through not only the palace but spread through the whole city. No wonder, since the outlets of excrement and urine were now confused.
Notes and citation
Summary: Worms bred inside him and the stench filled the city.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.7 (CSEL 27.2:211; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
33.8CSEL 27.2:211
comestur a uermibus et in putredinem corpus cum intolerandis doloribus soluitur. clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit, quales mugitus, fugit cum saucius aram taurus.
He was eaten by worms, and his body dissolved into rottenness with unbearable pains. At the same time “he raises horrible cries to the stars, like the bellowing when a wounded bull flees the altar.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Eaten by worms, he screamed in agony.
- The quotation is Virgil, Aen. 2.222–224.
Extrabiblical texts: Virgil, Aen. 2.222–224 (Virgil; quotation)
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.8 (CSEL 27.2:211; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
33.9CSEL 27.2:211–212
adponebantur ad sedem fluentem cocta et calida animalia, ut uermiculos eliceret calor. quis resolutis inaestimabile scatebat examen et tamen multo maiorem copiam tabescendorum uiscerum pernicies fecunda generauerat.
Cooked and warm animals were placed at the running seat, so that the heat might draw out the worms. When these were opened, an incalculable swarm swarmed forth; and yet the fertile destruction of the rotting bowels had generated a far greater supply.
Notes and citation
Summary: Warm meat was used to draw out the worms, but more kept breeding.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.9 (CSEL 27.2:211–212; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
33.10CSEL 27.2:212
iam diuerso malo partes corporis amiserant speciem. superior usque ad uulnus aruerat et miserabili macie cutis lurida longe inter ossa consederat. inferior sine ulla pedum forma in utrium modum inflata discreuerat.
Now by the different disease the parts of his body had lost their shape. The upper part down to the wound had dried up, and with wretched emaciation the livid skin had sunk deep between the bones. The lower part, without any shape of feet, swollen like wineskins, had become separated.
Notes and citation
Summary: His upper body wasted and his lower body swelled grotesquely.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.10 (CSEL 27.2:212; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
33.11CSEL 27.2:212
et haec facta sunt per annum perpetem, cum tandem malis domitus deum coactus est confiteri. noui doloris urgentis per interualla exclamat se restituturum dei templum satisque pro scelere facturum. et iam deficiens edictum misit huiusmodi:
And these things went on for a whole year, until at last, subdued by his sufferings, he was compelled to confess God. At intervals of the new pain pressing on him, he cried out that he would restore the temple of God and make amends for his crime. And, already failing, he sent out an edict of this kind:
Notes and citation
Summary: After a year of suffering Galerius confessed God and issued an edict.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 33.11 (CSEL 27.2:212; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-33-11).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 34
34.1CSEL 27.2:212
Inter cetera quae pro rei publicae semper commodis atque utilitate disponimus, nos quidem uolueramus antehac iuxta leges ueteres et publicam disciplinam Romanorum cuncta corrigere atque id prouidere, ut etiam Christiani, qui parentum suorum reliquerant sectam, ad bonas mentes
“Among the other measures which we always arrange for the advantage and benefit of the state, we had previously wished to set everything right according to the ancient laws and public discipline of the Romans, and to provide that the Christians too, who had abandoned the way of life of their own ancestors, should return to a good mind;
Notes and citation
Summary: The edict begins: the emperors had wanted Christians to return to ancestral ways.
- The edict of toleration of April 311, issued in the names of Galerius and his colleagues; a Greek version is in Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 8.17.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 34.1 (CSEL 27.2:212; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-34-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
34.2CSEL 27.2:212–213
redirent, siquidem quadam ratione tanta eosdem Christianos uoluntas inuasisset et tanta stultitia occupasset, ut non illa ueterum instituta sequerentur, quae forsitan primum parentes eorundem constituerant, sed pro arbitrio suo atque ut isdem erat libitum, ita sibimet leges facerent quas obseruarent, et per diuersa uarios populos congregarent.
since, for some reason, such self-will had seized these same Christians and such folly had taken hold of them that they did not follow those institutions of the ancients which perhaps their own ancestors had first established, but, according to their own judgement and as they pleased, made laws for themselves to observe, and gathered various peoples in different places.
Notes and citation
Summary: The Christians had forsaken ancient customs and made their own laws.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 34.2 (CSEL 27.2:212–213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-34-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
34.3CSEL 27.2:213
denique cum eiusmodi nostra iussio extitisset, ut ad ueterum se instituta conferrent, multi periculo subiugati, multi etiam deturbati sunt.
Finally, when our order of this kind had been issued, that they should betake themselves to the institutions of the ancients, many were subjected to danger, and many were even ruined.
Notes and citation
Summary: Many suffered under the order to return to the old ways.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR misread in the digital text): ad ut terum → ad ueterum.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 34.3 (CSEL 27.2:213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-34-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
34.4CSEL 27.2:213–214
atque cum plurimi in proposito perseuerarent ac uideremus nec diis eosdem cultum ac religionem debitam exhibere nec Christianorum deum obseruare, contemplatione mitissimae nostrae clementiae, intuentes et consuetudinem sempiternam, qua solemus cunctis hominibus ueniam indulgere, promptissimam in his quoque indulgentiam nostram credidimus porrigendam, ut denuo sint Christiani et conuenticula sua componant, ita ut ne quid contra disciplinam agant. <p e r> aliam autem epistolam iudicibus significaturi sumus quid debeant obseruare. unde iuxta hanc indulgentiam nostram debebunt deum suum orare pro salute nostra et rei publicae ac sua, ut undique uersum res publica praestetur incolumis et securi uiuere in sedibus suis possint.
And since very many persisted in their resolve, and we saw that they neither offered due worship and reverence to the gods nor observed the God of the Christians, in consideration of our most gentle clemency, and having regard to our constant custom by which we are accustomed to grant pardon to all people, we have believed that our most ready indulgence should be extended to these too, so that they may again be Christians and may rebuild their meeting-places, provided that they do nothing contrary to discipline. By another letter we shall indicate to the magistrates what they are to observe. Therefore, in accordance with this indulgence of ours, they will be bound to pray to their God for our safety and that of the state and their own, so that the state may be kept unharmed on every side and they may be able to live securely in their homes.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Since many Christians persisted, they are allowed to exist and assemble, and must pray for the emperors.
- “by” (per) is the editor's supplement. “Discipline” here is public order.
Topics: Persecution, Prayer
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 34.4 (CSEL 27.2:213–214; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-34-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 35
35.1CSEL 27.2:214
Hoc edictum proponitur Nicomediae pridie Kalendas Maias ipso octies et Maximino iterum consulibus.
This edict was posted at Nicomedia on the day before the Kalends of May, in the consulship of Galerius himself for the eighth time and of Maximinus for the second.
Notes and citation
Summary: The edict was posted at Nicomedia on 30 April 311.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 35.1 (CSEL 27.2:214; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-35-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
35.2CSEL 27.2:214
tunc apertis carceribus, Donate carissime. cum ceteris confessoribus e custodia liberatus es, cum tibi carcer sex annis pro domicilio fuerit.
Then, the prisons being opened, dearest Donatus, you were freed from custody with the other confessors, after the prison had been your home for six years.
Notes and citation
Summary: Donatus was released after six years in prison.
Topics: Persecution, Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 35.2 (CSEL 27.2:214; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-35-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
35.3CSEL 27.2:214
nec tamen ille hoc facto ueniam sceleris accepit a deo, sed post dies paucos commendatis Licinio coniuge sua et filio atque in manum traditis, cum iam totius corporis membra
Yet by this act he did not receive pardon for his crime from God; but after a few days, having commended his wife and son to Licinius and handed them into his care, when the limbs of his whole body were already
Notes and citation
Summary: Galerius was not forgiven by God and died a few days later.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 35.3 (CSEL 27.2:214; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-35-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
35.4CSEL 27.2:214
diffluerent, horrenda tabe consumptus est idque cognitum Nicomediae *** mensis eiusdem, cum futura essent uicennalia Kalendis Martiis impendentibus.
dissolving, he was consumed by a horrible putrefaction; and this became known at Nicomedia on the … of the same month, when his twentieth anniversary was to fall on the approaching Kalends of March.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Notes and citation
Summary: His death became known at Nicomedia in May 311.
- The day is lost in the manuscript (marked *** in the edition).
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 35.4 (CSEL 27.2:214; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-35-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 36
36.1CSEL 27.2:214
Quo nuntio Maximinus audito dispositis ab Oriente cursibus peruolauit, ut prouincias occuparet ac Licinio morante omnia sibi usque ad fretum Chalcedonium uindicaret, ingressusque Bithyniam, quo sibi ad praesens fauorem conciliaret, cum magna omnium laetitia sustulit censum.
When this news was heard, Maximinus, having arranged relays from the East, flew to seize the provinces and, while Licinius delayed, to claim everything for himself as far as the Strait of Chalcedon; and entering Bithynia, to win favour for himself for the present, he abolished the census, to the great joy of all.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximinus rushed to seize Asia Minor and abolished the census to win favour.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 36.1 (CSEL 27.2:214; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-36-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
36.2CSEL 27.2:214
discordia inter ambos imperatores ac paene bellum. diuersas ripas armati tenebant, sed condicionibus certis pax et amicitia componitur et in ipso freto foedus fit ac dexterae copulantur.
There was discord between the two emperors and almost war. They held opposite shores in arms; but on fixed conditions peace and friendship were arranged, and on the strait itself a treaty was made and right hands joined.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximinus and Licinius nearly fought but made a treaty on the Bosporus.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 36.2 (CSEL 27.2:214; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-36-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
36.3CSEL 27.2:214–215
redit ille securus et fit qualis in Syria et in Aegypto fuit. inprimis indulgentiam Christianis communi titulo datam tollit subornatis legationibus ciuitatum quae peterent, ne intra ciuitates suas Christianis conuenticula extruere liceret, ut suasu coactus et impulsus facere uideretur quod erat sponte facturus.
He returned secure and became what he had been in Syria and Egypt. First of all, he took away the indulgence granted to the Christians by the common decree, having suborned delegations of cities to petition that Christians not be allowed to build meeting-places within their cities, so that he might seem to do under persuasion, compelled and driven, what he was going to do of his own accord.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maximinus revoked the toleration by arranging for cities to petition against the Christians.
- Eusebius (Hist. eccl. 9.2–4, 9.7) describes these petitions and quotes one.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 36.3 (CSEL 27.2:214–215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-36-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
36.4CSEL 27.2:215
quibus annuens nouo more sacerdotes maximos per singulas ciuitates singulos ex primoribus fecit, qui et sacrificia per omnes deos suos cotidie facerent et ueterum sacerdotum ministerio subnixi darent operam, < ut) Christiani neque <conuenticula> fabricarent neque publice aut priuatim coirent, sed comprehensos suo iure ad sacrificia cogerent uel iudicibus offerrent.
Assenting to them, he made, in a new fashion, high priests in each city, one from among the leading men, to offer sacrifices to all their gods daily and, supported by the service of the old priests, to take care that the Christians should neither build meeting-places nor assemble publicly or privately, but that they should by their own authority arrest them and compel them to sacrifice or bring them before the magistrates.
Notes and citation
Summary: He appointed pagan high priests in each city to suppress Christian worship.
- “that” and “meeting-places” are the editor's supplements.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 36.4 (CSEL 27.2:215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-36-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
36.5CSEL 27.2:215
parumque hoc fuit, nisi etiam prouinciis ex altiore dignitatis gradu singulos quasi pontifices superponeret, et eos utrosque candidis clamidibus ornatos iussit incedere.
And this was not enough, unless he also set over the provinces, from a higher grade of rank, individuals as a kind of pontiffs; and he ordered both kinds to go about adorned with white cloaks.
Notes and citation
Summary: He also appointed provincial high priests.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 36.5 (CSEL 27.2:215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-36-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
36.6CSEL 27.2:215
facere autem parabat quae iam dudum in Orientis partibus fecerat. nam cum clementiam specie tenus profiteretur, occidi seruos dei uetuit, debilitari iussit.
He was preparing to do what he had long since done in the regions of the East. For while he professed clemency in outward show, he forbade the servants of God to be killed but ordered them to be maimed.
Notes and citation
Summary: Claiming mercy, he ordered Christians maimed rather than killed.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 36.6 (CSEL 27.2:215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-36-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
36.7CSEL 27.2:215
itaque confessoribus effodiebantur oculi, amputabantur manus, pedes detruncabantur, nares uel auriculae desecabantur.
And so the confessors' eyes were gouged out, hands cut off, feet chopped off, noses or ears cut away.
Notes and citation
Summary: Confessors were blinded and mutilated.
Topics: Persecution, Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 36.7 (CSEL 27.2:215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-36-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 37
37.1CSEL 27.2:215
Haec ille moliens Constantini litteris deterretur. dissimulauit ergo. et tamen si quis <in manus eius> inciderat, mari occulte mergebantur. consuetudinem quoque suam non intermisit ut in palatio per singulos dies sacrificaretur.
While he was undertaking these things, he was deterred by a letter from Constantine. So he dissembled; and yet if anyone fell into his hands, they were secretly drowned in the sea. Nor did he give up his custom that sacrifices should be offered in the palace every day.
Notes and citation
Summary: Deterred by Constantine, Maximinus persecuted secretly.
- “into his hands” is the editor's supplement.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 37.1 (CSEL 27.2:215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-37-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
37.2CSEL 27.2:215–216
et hoc primus inuenerat, ut animalia omnia quibus uescebatur, non a coquis, sed a sacerdotibus ad aras immolarentur nihilque prorsus mensae adponeretur nisi aut delibatum aut sacrificatum aut perfusum mero, ut quisquis ad cenam uocatus esset, inquinatus inde atque impurus exiret.
And he was the first to devise that all the animals he ate should be slaughtered, not by cooks, but by priests at altars, and that nothing at all should be set on the table unless it had been offered in libation or sacrificed or sprinkled with wine, so that whoever was invited to dinner came away from it defiled and impure.
Notes and citation
Summary: All food at his table was sacrificial, to defile his guests.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 37.2 (CSEL 27.2:215–216; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-37-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
37.3CSEL 27.2:216
in ceteris quoque magistri sui similis. nam si quid reliqui uel Diocles uel Maximianus reliquerant, hic abrasit sine ullo pudore auferens omnia.
In the rest, too, he was like his master. For if Diocles or Maximian had left anything over, this man scraped it off, taking everything without any shame.
Notes and citation
Summary: He plundered whatever his predecessors had left.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 37.3 (CSEL 27.2:216; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-37-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
37.4CSEL 27.2:216
itaque horrea priuatorum claudebantur, apothecae obsignabantur, debita in futuros annos exigebantur. hinc fames agris ferentibus, hinc caritas inaudita.
And so the granaries of private persons were closed, the storehouses sealed, and debts exacted for future years. Hence famine while the fields bore, hence unheard-of dearness.
Notes and citation
Summary: His exactions caused famine amid good harvests.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 37.4 (CSEL 27.2:216; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-37-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
37.5CSEL 27.2:216
armentorum ac pecorum greges ex agris rapiebantur ad sacrificia cotidiana: quibus suos adeo corruperat, ut aspernarentur annonam. et effundebat passim sine dilectu, sine modo, cum satellites uniuersos, quorum numerus ingens erat, pretiosis uestibus et aureis nummis expungeret, gregariis et tironibus argentum daret, barbaros omni genere largitionis honoraret.
Herds of cattle and flocks were seized from the fields for the daily sacrifices; with these he had so corrupted his own men that they scorned the ration. And he poured out wealth everywhere without discrimination or measure, discharging all his attendants, whose number was huge, with costly garments and gold coins, giving silver to common soldiers and recruits, honouring barbarians with every kind of largesse.
Notes and citation
Summary: He lavished confiscated wealth on soldiers and barbarians.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 37.5 (CSEL 27.2:216; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-37-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.
37.6CSEL 27.2:216–217
nam quod uiuentium bona uel auferebat uel dono suis dabat, ut quisque petierat aliena, nescio an agendas illi fuisse gratias putem, quod more clementium latronum incruenta spolia detrahebat.
As for his either taking away the property of the living or giving it as a gift to his own people, as each had asked for another's goods, I do not know whether I should think he should be thanked, because, in the manner of merciful robbers, he took spoils without bloodshed.
Notes and citation
Summary: At least he robbed without killing, like a merciful bandit.
- The remark is ironic.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR misread in the digital text): uiueutium → uiuentium.
Cite (SBL): Lactantius, Mort. 37.6 (CSEL 27.2:216–217; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/lactantius-mortibus/19-1/#p-37-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin text of CSEL 27.2; made independently of existing English translations.