Honored after Death as in Life

The highest-ranking military officers too, the counts, and the whole order of magistrates, who had been used to bowing before their emperor, went on doing this duty without any change even after his death. They entered the chamber at the appointed times and saluted their sovereign in his coffin on bended knee, as if he were still alive. After them came the senators and all who had been distinguished with any honorable office, and they paid the same homage. These were followed by crowds of every rank, who came with their wives and children to see the sight. These honors went on being paid for a long time, since the soldiers had decided to guard the body in this way until his sons should arrive and take charge of their father’s funeral themselves. No mortal had ever, like this blessed ruler, gone on reigning even after death and receiving the same homage as during his life. He alone of all who have ever lived received this reward from God. It was a fitting reward, since he alone of all rulers had honored the Supreme God and his Christ in all his actions. So God himself was pleased that even his mortal remains should still keep imperial authority among men, and in this way he showed all who were not utterly without understanding the immortal and endless empire his soul was to enjoy. That was the course of events here. [a]