He Conquered Nearly the Whole World

But our emperor began his reign at the age at which the Macedonian died, and yet he lived twice as long as Alexander and reigned three times as long. He trained his army in the gentle and sober precepts of godliness, and carried his arms as far as the Britons and the nations that live in the very heart of the Western Ocean. He also subdued all Scythia, though it lies in the farthest north and is divided into countless different barbarian tribes. He even pushed his conquests to the Blemmyes and the Ethiopians on the very borders of the south, and he did not think the winning of the eastern nations unworthy of his care. In short, he spread the radiance of his holy light to the ends of the whole world, even to the most distant Indians, the nations that live on the outermost rim of the inhabited earth. He received the submission of all the local rulers, governors, and satraps of the barbarian nations, who gladly welcomed and greeted him, sending embassies and gifts and setting the highest value on his acquaintance and friendship. They even honored him with pictures and statues in their own countries, and Constantine alone of all emperors was acknowledged and celebrated by all. Yet even among these distant nations he proclaimed the name of his God in his royal decrees with all boldness. [a]