Constantine’s Laws for the Confessors

Moreover, the emperor’s edicts, full of his kindly spirit, were published among us too, as they had been among the people of the other part of the empire. His laws breathed reverence toward God and promised many blessings, for they secured many benefits to his subjects in the provinces of every nation, and at the same time laid down measures suited to the needs of the churches of God. First of all, they called back those who had been driven into exile, or turned out of their homes by the governors of their provinces, because they refused to take part in the worship of idols. Next, they released from their burdens those who for the same reason had been sentenced to serve in the civil courts, and ordered that restitution be made to anyone who had been robbed of property. Those, too, who in the time of trial had stood out for their courage of soul in the cause of God, and had therefore been condemned to the painful labor of the mines, or sent off to the loneliness of islands, or forced to toil on the public works, were all released at once from these burdens. Others, whose steadfastness in religion had cost them their military rank, were cleared of this disgrace by the emperor’s generosity. He gave them the choice either of taking up their rank again and enjoying their former privileges, or, if they preferred a more settled life, of being exempted from all service for good. Lastly, all who had been forced, by way of disgrace and insult, to serve in women’s work, he likewise set free with the rest. [a]