The Armies of Maxentius Defeated in Italy

Constantine, however, was filled with compassion at all these miseries, and he began to arm himself with every preparation for war against the tyranny. So, taking the Supreme God as his patron and calling on his Christ to be his preserver and helper, he set the trophy of victory, the sign of salvation, at the head of his soldiers and bodyguard. Then he marched out with his whole force, seeking to win back for the Romans the freedom they had inherited from their ancestors. Maxentius trusted more in his magic arts than in the loyalty of his subjects, and he did not dare even to go outside the city gates. Instead he had garrisoned every place, district, and city under his tyranny with large bodies of soldiers. But the emperor, relying on the help of God, advanced against the first, second, and third divisions of the tyrant’s forces, defeated them all with ease at the first attack, and made his way into the very heart of Italy. [a]