The Statue of Constantine Holding a Cross

Moreover, by loud proclamation and by inscriptions on monuments he made known to everyone the sign of salvation. He set up this great trophy of victory over his enemies in the middle of the imperial city, and he expressly had it engraved in letters that could not be erased that this sign of salvation was the safeguard of the Roman government and of the whole empire. So he at once ordered that a tall spear in the shape of a cross be placed under the hand of a statue of himself, in the busiest part of Rome, and that the following inscription be carved on it in Latin: “By this sign of salvation, the true proof of courage, I have saved your city and set it free from the yoke of tyranny. I have also set the Roman senate and people free and restored them to their ancient fame and splendor.” [a]