“I thought the rite of baptism was supposed to wash away all • » sm.
“It is, but being human we are sure to sin again. That’s why many Christians choose to be baptized only in the hours just preceding death.”
“A priest named Eusebius of Caesarea tried to explain some of these things to me once,” Constantine admitted. “But I’m afraid I understand them no better now than I did then especially a god who is not one but three.” He changed the subject. “I had a letter today from Emperor Maximian. He wants me to meet him at Arles so he can invest me with the purple of an Augustus.”
“I am happy for you,” Theodora said warmly. “And your father would be too if he were alive. It is no more than you deserve.” Then her face grew sober. “But why is my stepfather doing this just now?”
“To make sure I shall be behind him in any trouble he has with Galerius, Maximin Daia and Licinius.”
“Licinius? I don’t know him.”
“He was a general on the staff of Emperor Galerius when I was in Nicomedia and once did me a great favor. Word came today that Galerius had named both him and Maximin Daia Augusti. Licinius is to govern Illyria, Galerius Greece and the Asian provinces, and Daia, Syria and Egypt with Galerius Senior Emperor over all.”
Augusti in the East
“So with three Augusti in the East, my stepfather naturally wishes to be sure you are on his side?”
“Can you blame him?”
“No, I suppose not so long as you know why he is courting your favor.”
“I have no illusions concerning my future fatherinlaw,” he assured her.
“Then you and Fausta ”
“Emperor Maximian has finally agreed to our marriage. He is bringing her to Arles with him.”
“I am happy for you both.” She gave him her hands in a warm gesture of pleasure. “Fausta is a lovely little thing and I know you love her dearly. The children and I will move to your father’s country villa outside Treves. With your own family now, you will need the palace for yourself.”
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