The history of the church from our Lords incarnation, to the twelth year of the Emperour Maricius Tiberius, or the Year of Christ 594 / as it was written in Greek, by Eusebius Pamphilius ..., Socrates Scholasticus, and Evagrius Scholasticus ... ; made English from that edition of these historians, which Valesius published at Paris in the years 1659, 1668, and 1673 ; also, The life of Constantine in four books, written by Eusibius Pamphilus, with Constantine's Oration to the convention of the saints, and Eusebius's Speech in praise of Constantine, spoken at his tricennalia ; Valesius's annotations on these authors, are done into English, and set at their proper places in the margin, as likewise a translation of his account of their lives and writings ; with two index's, the one, of the principal matters that occur in the text, the other, of those contained in the notes.

CHAP. VI. The Apparition seen in the Cities under Licinius's Government, of Constantine's Souldiers pur∣suing the Forces of Licinius.

WHilst these things were doing, a most wonderfull Apparition ('tis said) was seen in the Cities subject to the Tyrant. For, they thought they saw various Companies of Constantine's Souldiers, passing at noon day thorow the Cities, as if they had obtained the Victory. And these things were seen, when in reality no Body appeared; but the Divine and Superiour power, by that Vision shown to the eyes of men; foreshewed that which was ready to happen. Further, after the Armies had made ready to engage, he that had broken the League of Friendship, began the Fight first. Then Con∣stantine, having called upon God the supream

Saviour, and given this Signall to the Army about him; got the better in the a 1.1 first En∣gagement. Not long after, he was superiour in a b 1.2 second Fight, and obtained a far greater Victory; in regard the Salutary Trophy was carried before his Army.

Notes

• a 1.1

  The first Battel be∣tween Con∣stantine and Lici∣nius was in Pannonia, at Cibalae; which Zosimus describes excellently well in his Second Book, as also The Authour of the Excerpta de Gestis Constantini, pag. 473. This Fight hapned when Volusianus the second time and Annianus were Consuls; on the eight of the Ides of October, as 'tis recorded in Idatius's Fasti. To whom agrees Sigonius in his third Book de Occiden∣tali Imperio. In Eusebius's Chronicon the Cibalensian Battel is ill placed on the seventh year of Constantine, in regard that Action hapned on the eighth year of his Empire. Yea, if you compute the matter exactly, it was now the ninth year of Constantine's Empire. For, his ninth year began on the eighth of the Calend•• of August, Volusianus the second time and Annianus being Consuls. Aurelius Victor writes thus concerning the Wars between Licinius and Constan∣tine. Ita potestas orbis Romani duobus quaesita. Qui quamvis per Flavii Sororem nuptam Licinio connexi inter se erant, ob diversos mores tamen anxie triennium congruere quiv••re, &c. Thus the power of the Roman world was gotten by two. Who though by Flavius's Sister married to Licinius they had been joyned together, yet because of their different dispositions, for three years space they could ill agree, &c Which passage does manifestly confirm Idatius's Fasti: Otherwise, from the opinion of the Eusebian Chronicon it ought to be said, Bien∣nium, for two years space. A passage in Eutropius's Tenth Book must also be corrected, which is commonly Printed thus. As primo eum in Pannonia, Secundò ingenti apparatu bellum apud Cibalas instruentem, repentinus oppressit, &c. Doubtless, the word Secundò must be ex∣punged, which was added by some unskilfull Transcriber. For first, Constantine's first Battel against Licinius was at Cibalae, as we have shown above. Then, it would be ridiculous to say, that the first Battel was in Pannonia, the second at Cibalae; in regard Cibalae is a City of Pannonia. Moreover, Peanius who rendred Eutropius into Greek, acknowledges not that word Secundò, as appears from his Rendition. Yet Orosius (as also the Authour of the Historia Mis∣cella,) hath followed the vulgar reading in Eutropius. For his words are these; Constantinus Licinium Sororis suae virum in Pannoniâ pri∣mùm vicit, deinde apud Cibalas oppressit. Vales.
• b 1.2

  This second Fight of Constantine against Licinius, hapned in Thracia, as Zosimus informs us. But Zosimus mentions not the very place: but the Authour of the Excerpta de Gestis Constantini pag. 474. says 'twas fought in the Campus Mardiensis: which place is equally unknown to us. Further, this Battel hapned on the same year with that at Cibalae, as 'tis concluded from the Relation of Zosimus, and of that unknown Authour. Which may also be demonstrated by this argu∣ment. After this Battel a Peace being made up between Constantine and Licinius, on the year following Constantine and Licinius were made Consuls; and In the West that year is inscribed, Constantine the Fourth and Licinius the fourth time Consuls; but in the Eastern parts Licinius's name is set first, in this manner, Licinius Augustus the Fourth and Constantine the fourth time being Coss; as it occurs in the Excerpta de Gestis Constantini. Vales.