“One thing, Augustus.” It was Marcellinus. “Is it true that you have become a Christian?”
In his chair on the front row of seats in the audience chamber, where the visitors were being received, Constantine saw Hosius of Cdrdoba look up sharply. “No, I have not,” he answered without hesitation. “Why do you ask?”
“It is rumored in Rome that you favor them, as your father did.”
“All the Augusti signed the edict of toleration published by Emperor Galerius.” The frosty note in Constantine’s voice might have intimidated a younger man, but Marcellinus was a veteran of many years in the Senate. He had faced emperors and wouldbe emperors before and, like most of the Senators, clung to the old privileges and customs, even though they had been largely nullified by such as Maxentius and Maximian.
“The Empire was built on the favor of its gods and, if it is to thrive again, we must return to them,” the old man said. “Will you sacrifice to Apollo and ask the favor of Rome’s gods upon your venture into Italy?”
Constantine promised
“I shall sacrifice to both Apollo and Jupiter before starting to liberate Rome, noble Marcellinus,” Constantine promised. “And I beg your prayers for my success.”
The public audience ended then, but Constantine asked Dacius to bring Adrian to his quarters for a continuation of the discussion.
“Did you say you are a merchant?” he asked the plump Senator, when the three of them were alone.
“Yes, Augustus.”
“Then you must have business connections in the north perhaps in Raetia and Venetia?”
“Lately I have been sending some supplies there,” Adrian said. “On whose orders?”
“Augustus Maxentius. He feels that he can trust me because of my trading connections with Augustus Maximin Daia.”
“Can he?” Constantine asked bluntly.
Adrian’s eyes suddenly took on a bleak look. “A month ago my niece, a beautiful girl just entering womanhood, attracted the attention of a tribune in the Praetorian Guard. She was seized in her own house that night and taken to the barracks of the guard.” “Say no more,” Constantine told him. “I ask your forgiveness for my question.”
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