Chapter 11: Mission of Peace

The sun shone over head as Constantine surveyed the
court from an oriel with a spectacular view. Antioch, which had
been Galerius' court for many years, had changed character in
the three years that Diocletian resided there. Constantine smiled
while thinking of the change. No alterations were made in the
formal and ritual practices of the court, although a bare minimum
of sacrifices were performed. Diocletian was a believer in the
pagan gods, yet not as devout as his subordinate. Although
Maximian, Constantius, and Galerius saw action along the
frontiers, Antioch and Diocletian's army there, were
experiencing peace and stability.

Constantine walked the grounds, pondering his emperor's
efforts to improve the empire. He knew that Diocletian was still
focusing his attention on the administrative problems of the
empire. Constantine saw coins exchange hands in the agora,
reminding him of the currency reforms Diocletian was
responsible for. The people appeared to be happy, most likely as
a result of the currency reforms, which greatly helped the

nominal value of the imperial currency that was close to forty
times above normal.

A peaceful still had settled in the court, as Constantine
continued to ponder the progress Diocletian had produced. The
emperor did away with the separate laws of local regions, so that
every Roman citizen would adhere to the laws of the entire
empire. Irregularities in the laws were swept away to give
citizens in various locales speedier enforcement and less
confusion on the part of officials. For the first time in history,
Diocletian had created one uniform system for the entire empire.
This was his greatest administrative accomplishment in the
twenty years he served as emperor.

While they resided in Antioch, Constantine and Diocletian
grew closer, and each began to reflect the other's character.
Constantine dressed more flamboyantly then he had in his youth.
He developed an air of arrogance that was enough to irritate his
friends, but not lose them. The emperor, on the other hand, began
portraying himself as less the unapproachable god and more a
ruler trying to help his citizens live better lives. The anger felt
during previous experiences had subsided and permitted them to
use their passions in more productive ways.

In December of AD 301, Diocletian, Constantine, and
members of the imperial court, journeyed to Alexandria with a
unique agenda. The greatest and most populous city of the east
had been suffering economically since the emperor's defeat of
Domitianus. The agreements adhered to during the Second
Persian campaign had depleted Alexandria of the vital trade
needed to rebuild the city. Alexandria, once one of the most
spectacular and wealthy cities in the empire, was now plagued by
thievery and hunger. Tax collection was enforced, although most
of the starving population could not afford to give their share. It

was a grim time for Alexandria, and Diocletian was on his way
to salvage what was left.

The Alexandria before Constantine's eyes had changed
dramatically since the last time he had been there. The curtain
walls of the fortress had been rebuilt and fortified, reflecting the
grandeur of a city officially under Roman control. Constantine
witnessed running water flow through the newly reconstructed
aqueducts that were at one time completely destroyed. He was
surrounded by civilians that crowded the city, no longer because
it was an outlet for major trade and commerce, but because it had
a safe haven for wanderers and intellectuals alike. By the influx
of educated citizens, it was evident that the library had resumed
its scholarly functions and the most brilliant minds in the entire
empire visited there. The city had been completely cleared of
reminders of the siege and bloodshed it had experienced. Only
the brazen horse at the gate served as a reminder of the
catastrophe suffered by followers of the usurper during their last
stand.

Constantine looked on in approval, smiling at the renewal
of a city he thought would never recover.

It wasn't long before he noticed the distraught expressions
on the faces of the peasants in the streets. The people of the
region did not welcome the emperor and his escort, but despised
him for having destroyed their city and for exploiting the
population with his taxes. The men, women and children of
Alexandria all had hunger and anger in common. They viewed
the emperor's presence as a bad omen and expected nothing but
future hardships from Diocletian.

The emperor made a circling motion with his arm and the
troops dispersed and dismounted. The throng expanded, and
watched in fear as the troops went to their horses. Covered
baskets were set upon the numerous improvised tables in the

center of the marketplace. When all was in position, the men
stood at attention as the music from the trumpeter attracted the
attention of the few members of the population who were not
already aware of the emperor's arrival. The emperor trotted from
the brazen statue to the baskets, on his white horse as the throng
waited.

Dressed in civilian garb, Constantine successfully blended
with the crowd. He listened attentively to the emperor's words.

"You Alexandrians are a great contribution to the empire.
My tribunes advised me to allow usurpers to besiege the region
and imperil the population with vain promises of wealth,
happiness, and security. I took a stand against members of the
senate, tribunes, and the like, and said no! I have faith in my
fellow Alexandrians and I will take my soldiers from the various
towns and regions of this great empire and secure what is
rightfully ours!"

Constantine initiated an applause that was taken up
primarily by the soldiers lining the city walls.

"Regardless of the wishes of my staff, I took the liberty of
sacrificing the blood of the Roman army to secure a prosperous
future for my citizens in the east. Had I not come along, the
Persians would have trampled this region, which I can promise
with utmost sincerity, will never occur as long as I and my
subordinates reign."

The applause of the soldiery and officials was
accompanied by anonymous shouts of praise by soldiers
disguised as citizens who mixed within the throng.

"You have suffered politically, economically, and socially
during this past decade. I have come to inform you that your
suffering is over. I have ordered the issuance of a general grace
period of taxation for the region. This will allow you the
opportunity to invest your money in the goods and services of
the region. I have made arrangements for the resurgence of trade
here in Alexandria. Measures have been taken to provide you
with a bright and prosperous future."

Applause from the crowd swallowed up that of the official
members of the imperial party.

"Those who applaud my words are experiencing a
resurgence of hope. However, there are many who remain
unconvinced of the truth in their emperor's voice. I say, trust and
believe in me as I do you, and you will not perish, but prevail in
this time of need. Today is the first day that an official
distribution of bread will be granted to the people of this city, the
citizens of the Roman Empire."

Once he had spoken, the breadbaskets were unveiled and
the crowd sped to line up.

An ovation for Diocletian on the part of the crowd made
the entire declamation worthwhile. The work of scholars and
peasantry alike was ignored as citizens poured out into the streets
to receive bread before it vanished. Smiles and applause
accompanied the anxiety of the hungry people to rush the
baskets.

Although the emperor had fabricated a variety of facts, the
populace now perceived him and the army in a more positive
light. He had restored the trust that had been lost in the siege of
Alexandria and was himself reassured that the overall result of
that campaign had been a benefit to the empire. Investing in a
fallen economy was a calculated risk that he would take in order
to raise revenue in the future. He was satisfied with his efforts,
and the people of the region dismissed their past disdain for the
emperor and his empire.

The distribution of free bread continued, even though the
emperor and the vast majority of his escort departed for Antioch.
Constantine resided with Diocletian in Antioch for the months
following their return. It allowed Constantine time to prepare for
the turmoil ahead. It was a time when he could appreciate his
space prior to the return of Galerius.