{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/201/2010422.htm","path":"chr/ecf/201/2010422.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/201/2010422.htm","text":"Chapter XXXVII.\u2014Defeat of Maxentius\u2019s Armies in Italy.\nConstantine, however, filled with compassion on account of all these miseries, began to arm himself with all warlike preparation against the tyranny. Assuming therefore the Supreme God as his patron, and invoking His Christ to be his preserver and aid, and setting the victorious trophy, the salutary symbol, in front of his soldiers and body-guard, he marched with his whole forces, trying to obtain again for the Romans the freedom they had inherited from their ancestors.\nAnd whereas, Maxentius, trusting more in his magic arts than in the affection of his subjects, dared not even advance outside the city gates, 3123 but had guarded every place and district and city subject to his tyranny, with large bodies of soldiers, 3124 the emperor, confiding in the help of God, advanced against the first and second and third divisions of the tyrant\u2019s forces, defeated them all with ease at the first assault, 3125 and made his way into the very interior of Italy.\n\u201cBecause the soothsayers had foretold that if he went out of it, he should perish.\u201d Lact. De M. P.\n492:3124\nBag.adds \u201cand numberless ambuscades,\u201d following Valesius and 1709. The word so rendered is the word for \u201ccompanies of soldiers.\u201d The rather awkward \u201cmultitude of heavy-armed soldiers and myriads of companies of soldiers\u201d may be rendered as above, although \u201clarger bodies of soldiers and limitless supplies\u201d suggested by the translation is perhaps the real meaning. He had both \u201cmen and means.\u201d\n492:3125\nAt Sigusium, Turin, Brescia, and Verona.","title":"Nicene and Ante-Nicene Fathers, Ser. II, Vol I: The Life of Constantine with Orations of Constantine and Eusebius.: Chapter XXXVII","type":"page"}