Galerius had become emperor in fact, if not in name, during Diocletian’s absence. With the old ruler still ailing, he continued to control the government and thus was able to cast blame for the chaotic conditions where he knew it would please many people most upon the hated Christians. Only an excuse was needed to begin a fullscale persecution that would allow the Caesar of the East and the hierarchy of his appointees who now ruled in Nicome dia to seize the property and wealth of the Christians for themselves. It came in January following Diocletian’s return.
The day had been hot for winter and all afternoon dark clouds had hung over the mountains to the south, accompanied by mutter ings of thunder and occasional flashes of lightning. The air was crackling with the threat of a storm when Constantine posted the guards for the night. A sudden shower of rain forced him to seek shelter in a summerhouse as he was returning from the farthermost guard post to his quarters in the palace. Morosely watching the storm clouds, which seemed a portent of his own prospects since the interview with Maximian in Rome, he was blinded momentarily by a bolt of lightning so near that it struck a tree and glanced off to the comer of the roof covering a wing of the palace, causing a sudden burst of flame.
Moments later servants came
Shouting the alarm as he ran through the courtyard, Constantine paused to soak his cloak in water at a nearby fountain and started beating at the flames. Moments later servants came pouring from the palace with jars and buckets to douse the burning wood with water, quickly extinguishing the fire. The second incident happened while he was off duty one evening, a fire in another wing that burned briskly for about half an hour before it was extinguished.
In the tense atmosphere of the palace, Constantine was not surprised when he was ordered to attend a court of inquiry into the fire. It was presided over by the Chief Chamberlain, a eunuch named Carinus, who had been appointed to the position by Gale rius. Constantine had more than once had differences of opinion with the portly and swarthy chamberlain and did not doubt that his every activity was being faithfully reported by the eunuch to Galerius.
“We have met to consider the latest crime of the Christians in setting fire twice to the palace and attempting to kill our beloved ruler,” Carinus announced at the beginning, giving sentence of guilt even before any evidence was heard.
“Does the Christian god wield thunderbolts?” Constantine asked caustically. “I thought they were the property of Jove.”
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