Constantine the Great

Constantine:
Unconquered Emperor,
Christian Victor

Paul Stephenson is a Reader in the Department of History at the University of Durham. His book about Constantine begins with a preface and an introduction. The main text is divided into three parts. Here is a brief overview:

** PART I - The general background - chapters 1-4
** PART II - Constantine’s road to power - chapters 5-8
** PART III - Constantine as emperor - chapters 9-12

The book ends with a conclusion, a glossary, a brief note on primary sources, a long bibliographical essay and an index.

What about illustrations? In the beginning of the book there are eight maps and two family trees (stemmata). In addition, there are 60 photos, most of them in colour. The photos are printed on special paper in three separate blocks. Most of the photos come from an agency, but 24 are taken by the author himself. The size is rather small, with two or three photos per page.

In his preface Stephenson says he hopes information given in the book “will prove useful to those who wish to follow in the emperor’s footsteps, from York to Trier, from Arles to Rome, from Thessaloniki to Istanbul, and beyond.”

When we look at the illustrations, we can see he has followed his own advice. There are photos taken by the author in Trier, Arles, Rome and Thessaloniki.

Stephenson’s account is supported by a wide range of sources, not only ancient texts but also archaeological objects, sometimes coins with pictures and inscriptions, sometimes monuments with pictures and inscriptions.

Each illustration is mentioned in the text, giving extra weight to his argument, and in several cases the object in the photo is analysed in great detail:

* The charming porphyry statue of the tetrarchs, now in Venice, is discussed on page 92 (and briefly on page 199) (figure 15)

* The arch of Galerius in Thessaloniki, are discussed on pages 95-97 (figures 18-22)

* The arch of Constantine in Rome, are discussed on pages 151-158 (figures 32-36)

* The great cameo, is discussed on pages 217-219 (figure 53)

* The Belgrade rider, is discussed on pages 227-228 (figure 54)

When it comes to sources, the author is very methodical. He evaluates them in order to determine if we can believe them. He explains what we can believe and why. In short: he does exactly what a historian is supposed to do, and he does it very well.

This book is written by an expert, but even an expert can make mistakes. Let me explain:

(a) On page 16 he mentions the technical term “honourable discharge.” The Latin term is given as honesta misso. But the correct form is honesta missio.

(b) On page 75 he says the Ludovisi Sarcophagus is “on view in the Museo Nazionale delle Terme in Rome.” But this item is on view in Palazzo Altemps, near Piazza Navona. He refers to figure 11, a picture of the sarcophagus taken by the author himself. The caption makes the same mistake about the location.

(c) On page 124 he places the Flavian period “shortly after AD 100.” It should be shortly before AD 100.

(d) On page 204 he mentions “a ruling of the senate … in 39 BC.” The next sentence begins with these words: “Eighty years later, the emperor Hadrian confirmed …” Hadrian’s confirmation was given in AD 119/120. From 39 BC to AD 119 there are 158 years.

I have a few additional remarks about the book:

(1) Where was Constantine born? The answer – in Naissus – is given on page 1. This is the ancient name of the place. The modern name – Niš, in present-day Serbia – is not given. Moreover, Naissus is not listed in the index, although it appears in the text several times (pp. 225, 227, 246, 291 and 295).

(2) When was Constantine born? Several sources seem to agree on the date: 27 February. But when it comes to the year, there is no agreement at all. We have 271, 272, 273 and 274. We even have 280 and 285. What does Stephenson have to say about this? Not much. He says Constantine’s mother Helena was born around 250. He also says the emperor Claudius II Gothicus died around the time when Constantine was born. We know Claudius died in 270. Stephenson seems to favour an early date, maybe 271, which is very plausible, but he never says so. Why avoid this issue?

(3) On page 260 he mentions Autun. The name appears again on page 294. This is the modern name of the place. The ancient name – Augustodunum – is not given. Moreover, Autun is not listed in the index.

There are several biographies in English on Constantine the Great, some of them older, from the 19th or the 20th century, some of them more recent, from this century. I have not read all of them, but I am quite sure this book must one of the best.

Stephenson covers the major problems connected with the emperor and his reign and he does it very well. 

 

We meet Constantine both as a general (chapter 5) and as a builder, at first in Rome (chapter 6) and later in Constantinople (chapter 8). The role of Christianity is also covered, not only Constantine’s conversion (chapter 7), but also Constantine and his relations with the Bishops (chapter 11).

Stephenson’s conclusions are not based on speculation, but rest on ancient sources. In addition, the text is well written and supported by some useful illustrations. In spite of the mistakes and the minor flaws mentioned above, this book is highly recommended.

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Paul Stephenson,

Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor,

hardcover 2009, paperback 2011, 358 pages

 

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