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At the beginning
of the fourth century AD,
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the Roman empire
faced one of the biggest crises in its history.
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It was now so huge
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that it had been carved up between four emperors,
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two in the west and two in the east.
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Like rats in a sack, they scrabbled for power.
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Tomorrow we march on Rome.
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I am Rome.
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Constantine is my enemy.
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Kill him and we're free.
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One man would
try to unite the empire.
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One empire, one god,
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one emperor!
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The world will know the name of Constantine.
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Constantine would
change the face of the empire
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and leave the greatest legacy
of any of Rome's emperors.
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A new world religion.
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The army of Rome
marches in the name of the one true god.
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Christianity.
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In the autumn of 312 AD,
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Constantine's army was camped
40 miles north of Rome.
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One of the two emperors in the west,
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Constantine was preparing for the decisive battle
against his rival, Maxentius.
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Maxentius has withdrawn his troops.
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The road ahead is clear.
Gentlemen, this is the final push.
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Tomorrow we march on Rome.
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Majesty, with respect,
shouldn't we wait for reinforcements?
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No.
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- They can be here in three weeks.
- In three weeks?
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Rome can't wait three weeks!
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I know that you're tired,
that the men are exhausted,
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I know that Maxentius outnumbers us,
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but this isn't about numbers.
It isn't even about the men.
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This is about Rome!
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Huh?
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It's the city of our fathers.
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Are you with me? Huh? Are you with me?
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Travelling with Constantine
were members of a growing new religion.
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Brothers in Christ, he's marching tomorrow.
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We'll be at the walls of Rome within days.
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- Does he put his faith in God?
- Not yet.
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But the Lord will open his eyes,
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or I will.
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Constantine's enemy,
the emperor Maxentius, held the city of Rome.
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For six years, the capital of the empire
had been suffering under his tyrannical rule.
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Now, as Constantine approached,
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Maxentius consulted Rome's traditional gods.
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Jupiter, Apollo and Mars.
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Have the gods revealed the secrets of the fates
and the destiny of Rome? Quickly.
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What does it say?
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Doesn't matter what the entrails say,
Constantine will be at the gates in three days.
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Majesty...
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Well?
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You see where the liver is discoloured here
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- and distended towards the...
- Just tell me what it means!
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It is telling us that the enemy of Rome
will be defeated.
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Well, this is good news, surely, Majesty.
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Constantine is marching against Rome, isn't he?
Well, then, it's clear. He'll be defeated.
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Yes.
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I am Rome.
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Constantine is my enemy, isn't he?
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"The enemy of Rome will be defeated. "
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I've missed you.
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Of course you have.
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I must speak to the emperor.
I am to admit no one.
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It's important.
My instructions are clear.
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- Majesty, I must speak with you!
- Apologies, Majesty, I...
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What is it, Lactantius?
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You cannot march on Rome,
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unless you first put your faith in the one true god.
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I put my faith in no one. That's why I'm still alive.
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Now listen to me, old man,
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you're a good scribe, you're useful, but so is he.
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Do you understand?
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The world is full of slaves and scribes.
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Now I'm tired.
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Maxentius will use sorcery.
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Get out.
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We speak the truth!
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I don't like that man.
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What is it about him you don't like?
He's harmless.
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He's a Christian.
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They're dirty. They're poor and weak.
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It's a slave's religion. Everything they do is secret.
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Hmm, anything else?
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They disapprove of this,
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and this.
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- But you like this, don't you?
- Yes.
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- Don't you?
- Yes.
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Speak.
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Majesty, Maxentius has brought up troops
from Sicily and Carthage,
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they arrived yesterday.
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- How many?
- Tens of thousands.
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The country's teeming with them.
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Majesty, should we suspend the attack?
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The horses!
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It's a sign.
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You see? From God!
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Nobody knows for certain
what Constantine's army witnessed that day.
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One theory is that it was a meteorite.
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But what it was is less important
than how it was interpreted.
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God was speaking to you. You feel it, don't you?
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He's chosen you. You saw!
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It was a sign.
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Make this sign your standard.
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Paint it on every soldier's shield.
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By this sign, you will conquer.
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Believe.
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Believe!
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Leave it.
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Meanwhile, Maxentius was putting
the finishing touches to his battle plan.
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The Milvian bridge...
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Our army...
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Constantine's army.
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Now he's got to cross the Tiber somewhere
and this is where we will trap him.
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I've made a... How can I put it?
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Modification to the bridge.
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When it is full of Constantine's troops,
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you pull out the pin here
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and...
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Constantine will die,
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his army will never reach the city,
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and "the enemy of Rome will be defeated. "
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Stay with me, please, I'm frightened.
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- I need to see that the men are following orders.
- Orders. What orders?
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Lactantius wants the men
to paint the Christian sign on their shields.
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00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:19,070
He says that if we use it as our standard...
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You've caught something from that sorcerer!
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What will the men think
when they can't fight under their gods?
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They will lose their nerve, Maxentius will win!
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- No, he won't!
- How do you know that? You don't.
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Maxentius is my brother, you forget that.
I know him, he's ruthless.
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- He'll kill us. He'll kill you, he'll kill both of us.
- No, no, no, he won't.
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Trust me, Fausta, will you?
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Where's the sign?
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Why haven't you done as I ordered?
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Bato?
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Majesty, the men were scared
that Jupiter might strike them down.
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There...
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Am I dead?
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Have I been struck down?
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Do it! All of you.
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Now!
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Constantine's decision
to fight under a Christian symbol
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was genuinely shocking.
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Faster, faster.
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For hundreds of years,
Roman soldiers had gone into battle
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under the banner of their traditional gods.
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Shortly after dawn,
Constantine's vastly outnumbered army
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took up position Just north of Rome.
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Stand by! Infantry!
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Raise your shields!
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This had better work.
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To reach the city,
they first had to cross the river Tiber
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at the Milvian bridge.
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Maxentius's 75,000 strong army
had massed on the Roman side of the river.
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Send in a bait.
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Infantry advance!
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Raise your bows.
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Loose!
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Forward!
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Now to reel in our fish.
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Sound the retreat.
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Retreat!
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They're drawing back, Majesty. Should we strike?
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What's he playing at?
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Hold the line! Hold the line!
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Hold the line!
Hold the line!
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Hold the line!
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Come on, you bastard, come on!
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Constantine!
Come down and face me, you bastard!
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Constantine!
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Forward!
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Constantine!
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The pin, hold it fast. It's too soon!
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Save me! I am your Emperor!
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Thank you, friend.
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The battle of Milvian Bridge
was both bloody and decisive.
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Maxentius's tyranny was at an end.
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00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:49,869
Now Constantine had control not Just of Rome,
but of the whole western empire.
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What is that? Where's the eagle?
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That's a Christian symbol.
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I don't under...
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General...
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Emperor.
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Emperor, I'm Senator Bassianus.
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I have a certain amount of influence
with the Senate, if you need my help.
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Citizens of Rome!
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I come to liberate, not to conquer.
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Maxentius is dead.
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Your suffering is at an end.
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I return to you all that Maxentius stole from you.
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Your lands, your privileges,
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your honour.
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To the Senate, I hand back your ancient authority.
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Rome,
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I return to you your glory!
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00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:43,077
I've come to thank you.
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00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:49,716
It's not me you must thank.
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It's God who gave you victory.
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Your service to the Lord is just beginning.
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If you have to pray, pray for the future.
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You are the future.
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With the western empire now secure,
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Constantine's challenge
was to bring peace to the eastern empire.
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00:23:26,320 --> 00:23:31,269
This was being fought over by Emperor Daia
and his rival, Emperor Licinius.
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00:23:34,520 --> 00:23:38,035
Constantine chose to ally himself with Licinius.
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In January 313 AD,
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Constantine married off his sister, Constantia,
to Licinius in Milan.
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Unlike her brother, she was by now a Christian.
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So Constantia, are you ready to be a wife?
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Do I have a choice?
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00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:08,509
Well, it's the duty that goes with your rank.
Remember you are my sister.
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Our lives are not our own...
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Hmm?
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But you will always be my sister.
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Nothing can part us, nothing.
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Trust me.
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Go on.
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00:25:32,760 --> 00:25:33,909
Begin.
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00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:51,870
Don't worry, please.
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After the wedding, the politics.
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00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:10,029
Negotiations on how the two emperors
could work together.
224
00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:16,710
Now is your chance to repay your debt to God.
You must seize this opportunity.
225
00:26:16,840 --> 00:26:19,229
But with Emperor Daia still a threat in the east,
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the Senate feels these clauses
must remain provisional until...
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00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:28,114
Brother.
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Brother.
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00:26:32,040 --> 00:26:34,235
Let's get on with it, shall we?
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00:26:34,680 --> 00:26:39,310
Very well. By the terms of this treaty,
the empire will be divided,
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not into four as in the past, but into two halves.
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You, Licinius, have control of the east,
once Daia is defeated,
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and I, the west.
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Does this meet with your approval?
235
00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:55,359
In principle,
236
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yes, it does.
237
00:26:59,600 --> 00:27:00,669
Good.
238
00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:06,355
Then, as a symbol of this new political settlement,
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00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:08,630
let us issue a decree
240
00:27:08,760 --> 00:27:12,355
to state that we extend a policy of toleration
241
00:27:13,560 --> 00:27:17,473
for all religious parties,
Christian and non-Christian alike.
242
00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:18,999
What is this?
243
00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:23,548
- The Senate of Rome cannot ratify a treaty made...
- God granted us victory...
244
00:27:23,680 --> 00:27:26,114
...in the name of a god we don't recognise...
... let us speak in His name!
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00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:28,196
- Silence! Silence!
- No!
246
00:27:30,120 --> 00:27:31,758
Leave us.
247
00:27:32,280 --> 00:27:34,635
Leave the chamber. Out. Move!
248
00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:38,795
Out! Out!
249
00:27:45,120 --> 00:27:46,792
What do you want?
250
00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:49,351
What are you playing at?
251
00:27:51,280 --> 00:27:52,838
The same as you.
252
00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:55,712
Call it what you like.
253
00:27:55,880 --> 00:27:59,634
Peace, stability, elbow room.
254
00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:02,592
According to this,
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each man will be free
to worship the god he chooses.
256
00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:08,509
Why?
257
00:28:09,160 --> 00:28:11,310
Have you become a Christian?
258
00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:16,595
I believe in whichever god
looks kindly upon our enterprise.
259
00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:22,153
So do I have your word, that the Christian God
will not be favoured above our gods?
260
00:28:22,280 --> 00:28:25,875
This isn't about God or gods, this is about us.
261
00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:31,275
This cements our alliance.
It says to the world that we speak with one voice,
262
00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:33,516
a new voice, hmm?
263
00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:37,599
The voice of a stronger, a more united empire.
264
00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:44,431
There are many Christians in the east, Licinius.
265
00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,033
If you persecute them, they get stronger.
266
00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:52,676
If we tolerate them, we win their support.
267
00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:55,718
I'll make a politician of you yet, Licinius.
268
00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:10,635
In his writings,
the Christian scribe, Lactantius,
269
00:29:10,760 --> 00:29:15,356
recorded the Edict of Milan
as a landmark in Christian history.
270
00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:23,476
After years of persecution,
271
00:29:23,600 --> 00:29:27,798
for the first time, the new religion
was tolerated across the empire.
272
00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:42,792
Licinius now fulfilled his side of the bargain.
273
00:29:52,440 --> 00:29:55,876
After four months of fighting, he defeated Daia
274
00:29:56,000 --> 00:29:58,833
and seized control of the eastern empire
275
00:30:09,480 --> 00:30:13,393
Finally, the entire empire had a chance of peace.
276
00:30:15,480 --> 00:30:16,879
And then there were two.
277
00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:25,116
This is the fulfilment of our dreams, Majesty.
This is peace.
278
00:30:25,240 --> 00:30:28,152
It's not a fulfilment, it's an opportunity.
279
00:30:28,280 --> 00:30:30,669
You've only just begun, we can start afresh.
280
00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:34,315
Sweep away the old. A new empire.
A new kind of empire.
281
00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:36,749
You want to destroy everything
and put nothing in its place.
282
00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:39,235
- I've put God in his place.
- Not while I stand here, you don't.
283
00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:42,068
Majesty?
284
00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:47,318
Majesty?
285
00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:49,398
Majesty?
286
00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:56,839
Daia is dead.
287
00:30:58,360 --> 00:31:01,113
And Licinius, is he?
288
00:31:01,840 --> 00:31:03,159
He's safe.
289
00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:05,238
Oh, thank God.
290
00:31:05,640 --> 00:31:07,232
Oh, thank God.
291
00:31:09,680 --> 00:31:11,432
Constantia, leave us.
292
00:31:20,880 --> 00:31:23,030
What are you going to do now?
293
00:31:23,560 --> 00:31:28,111
I thought you spoke with one voice,
with Licinius, as equals.
294
00:31:30,320 --> 00:31:33,232
There are no equals, only rivals.
295
00:31:35,680 --> 00:31:37,398
I need time to think.
296
00:31:42,360 --> 00:31:43,679
No one can be sure
297
00:31:43,800 --> 00:31:47,315
what was going on in Constantine's mind
at this time.
298
00:31:47,440 --> 00:31:51,956
But it appears that he had growing doubts
about his alliance with Licinius.
299
00:31:54,880 --> 00:31:58,111
He was also turning more and more to Christianity.
300
00:32:04,320 --> 00:32:06,038
Just give me a sign.
301
00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:12,995
Tell me what it is that you want.
302
00:32:20,560 --> 00:32:24,155
I order you to tell me what it is!
303
00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:58,400
Christ said, "I am the door,
whoever enters by me shall be saved. "
304
00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:15,357
They're all servants of Christ
and our numbers are growing all the time.
305
00:33:15,480 --> 00:33:19,029
- How far have you reached?
- Armenia, Britain, Spain...
306
00:33:19,160 --> 00:33:23,358
Our people are spread throughout the west
and the east.
307
00:33:38,800 --> 00:33:42,759
They're saying you're Christ's 13th apostle.
308
00:33:44,840 --> 00:33:47,434
- What does that mean?
- God's chosen you.
309
00:33:48,440 --> 00:33:51,273
To you, He's given all glory and authority.
310
00:33:51,400 --> 00:33:53,755
One god, one emperor.
311
00:33:54,960 --> 00:33:59,033
Worship God, and this world will be yours.
312
00:34:01,800 --> 00:34:03,199
Yours alone.
313
00:34:05,920 --> 00:34:07,638
Think of the power.
314
00:34:42,720 --> 00:34:44,312
What Constantine did next
315
00:34:44,440 --> 00:34:48,399
put him on a collision course
with the forces of Roman tradition.
316
00:34:54,160 --> 00:34:55,673
Constantine!
317
00:34:56,720 --> 00:35:00,679
It began when the people dedicated
a triumphal arch in his honour.
318
00:35:02,240 --> 00:35:05,710
I found an empire at war
319
00:35:06,480 --> 00:35:08,516
and I have brought peace.
320
00:35:11,360 --> 00:35:13,555
You, the Senate,
321
00:35:14,880 --> 00:35:16,632
and citizens of Rome,
322
00:35:18,080 --> 00:35:21,709
have dedicated this arch to me.
323
00:35:23,040 --> 00:35:24,632
I, in turn,
324
00:35:25,480 --> 00:35:26,993
dedicate myself
325
00:35:28,360 --> 00:35:31,352
to this glorious city
326
00:35:32,080 --> 00:35:34,594
and the eternal empire.
327
00:35:36,240 --> 00:35:40,028
One empire, one god,
328
00:35:41,840 --> 00:35:44,070
one emperor!
329
00:35:52,320 --> 00:35:54,788
Constantine!
330
00:36:08,480 --> 00:36:10,436
As part of the ceremony,
331
00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:14,917
Constantine was expected to make a sacrifice
to Rome's traditional gods.
332
00:36:25,920 --> 00:36:30,436
Your rituals are meaningless, your gods are dead.
333
00:36:49,240 --> 00:36:53,119
Constantine's assault
on Roman tradition went further.
334
00:36:53,960 --> 00:36:58,636
He diverted money intended for pagan temples
to new Christian buildings,
335
00:36:59,240 --> 00:37:01,549
including St Peter's in Rome.
336
00:37:02,240 --> 00:37:06,074
He builds churches and publicly insults the gods.
337
00:37:07,000 --> 00:37:09,150
The Christian God is no god.
338
00:37:09,480 --> 00:37:14,110
This is just the first.
There will be churches throughout the empire.
339
00:37:14,240 --> 00:37:16,356
Christianity is no religion.
340
00:37:16,680 --> 00:37:18,477
It is a contamination.
341
00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:22,197
The world will know the name of Constantine.
342
00:37:22,320 --> 00:37:25,039
There'll be anarchy, it must stop!
343
00:37:30,720 --> 00:37:32,631
And you must stop him.
344
00:37:47,240 --> 00:37:49,071
Majesty, I bring news.
345
00:37:49,200 --> 00:37:51,077
What is it, Bassianus?
346
00:37:51,200 --> 00:37:52,952
Of the Senate's mood.
347
00:37:56,560 --> 00:37:58,915
Tell me. As if I didn't know.
348
00:37:59,040 --> 00:38:01,474
They're not pleased, Majesty.
349
00:38:02,040 --> 00:38:05,476
What you're doing is offensive to them
and to the gods.
350
00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:08,832
It is a flagrant violation they cannot accept.
351
00:38:08,960 --> 00:38:11,349
And you, Bassianus, do you accept?
352
00:38:12,520 --> 00:38:13,873
No, Majesty.
353
00:38:15,200 --> 00:38:17,839
This strikes at the very heart of Rome.
354
00:38:22,280 --> 00:38:26,478
I... We cannot allow...
355
00:38:26,600 --> 00:38:28,079
Majesty, please!
356
00:38:30,320 --> 00:38:32,117
I hear you, Bassianus.
357
00:38:33,040 --> 00:38:34,758
I hear your Senate.
358
00:38:36,440 --> 00:38:37,793
I understand.
359
00:38:39,240 --> 00:38:41,151
Thank you for your honesty.
360
00:38:43,000 --> 00:38:46,436
- But, Majesty...
- Goodbye, Bassianus. Nothing more to say.
361
00:39:33,880 --> 00:39:35,233
Bassianus...
362
00:39:37,280 --> 00:39:38,952
How is my brother?
363
00:39:39,080 --> 00:39:42,914
I want to hear all about the celebrations.
And Fausta, is she well?
364
00:39:43,040 --> 00:39:46,828
- You must tell me everything.
- You're worse than the Senate.
365
00:39:46,960 --> 00:39:49,190
And I have news of my own.
366
00:39:51,880 --> 00:39:54,155
I'm so pleased for you, Majesty.
367
00:39:56,240 --> 00:39:58,629
Now, I must speak to your husband.
368
00:39:59,120 --> 00:40:00,473
What is it?
369
00:40:06,320 --> 00:40:08,914
Be on your guard, Bassianus.
370
00:40:26,400 --> 00:40:27,355
Concede?
371
00:40:29,240 --> 00:40:30,434
"Concede"?
372
00:40:33,560 --> 00:40:35,790
Why would I want to do that?
373
00:40:40,160 --> 00:40:43,277
You are his spy.
374
00:40:43,400 --> 00:40:46,676
I come from the Senate of Rome,
not from Constantine.
375
00:40:59,240 --> 00:41:02,835
The Senate is a play thing of Constantine.
376
00:41:03,240 --> 00:41:06,198
That's not true. Not anymore.
377
00:41:17,800 --> 00:41:19,711
The Senate is powerless.
378
00:41:20,320 --> 00:41:24,791
Some have turned Christian.
Now that's the only way, yeah.
379
00:41:24,920 --> 00:41:26,239
To heaven?
380
00:41:27,160 --> 00:41:28,354
High office.
381
00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:32,279
Constantine doesn't approve of our gods.
382
00:41:32,400 --> 00:41:36,518
The Christian bishops don't pay taxes
and they dine at his table.
383
00:41:37,760 --> 00:41:40,513
Christianity is spreading like a disease.
384
00:41:40,800 --> 00:41:44,998
By Constantine supporting them in the west,
he destabilises the east.
385
00:41:45,360 --> 00:41:47,396
He undermines my authority.
386
00:41:47,600 --> 00:41:50,034
Of course, it's deliberate.
387
00:41:51,800 --> 00:41:54,360
Together we can cut out the infection.
388
00:41:55,960 --> 00:42:00,238
By favouring Christians,
he's breaking the terms of the Treaty of Milan.
389
00:42:01,280 --> 00:42:03,748
What more justification do you need?
390
00:42:06,480 --> 00:42:08,914
Go back to the Senate, Bassianus.
391
00:42:10,760 --> 00:42:12,591
Tell them you've my blessing,
392
00:42:12,720 --> 00:42:16,998
and the western empire's yours
in exchange for Constantine's head.
393
00:42:18,760 --> 00:42:21,911
While Constantine lives, we're his creatures.
394
00:42:23,720 --> 00:42:27,599
Kill him and we're free.
395
00:43:58,640 --> 00:44:00,835
State your name and business.
396
00:44:00,960 --> 00:44:04,509
My name is Bassianus, Senator of Rome,
and my business...
397
00:44:11,600 --> 00:44:13,909
My business is with the Emperor.
398
00:44:21,560 --> 00:44:23,516
Good evening, Bassianus.
399
00:44:26,400 --> 00:44:28,311
I've been expecting you.
400
00:44:31,760 --> 00:44:33,352
How did you know?
401
00:44:34,720 --> 00:44:37,280
You underestimate the power of God.
402
00:44:38,000 --> 00:44:42,357
And your god is a lie.
Licinius will sweep you all away.
403
00:44:48,720 --> 00:44:50,870
I trusted you!
404
00:44:58,680 --> 00:45:01,194
From now on, I will trust no one.
405
00:45:01,920 --> 00:45:03,512
No one!
406
00:45:08,440 --> 00:45:09,759
Except God.
407
00:45:20,120 --> 00:45:22,270
We are at war...
408
00:45:24,200 --> 00:45:25,553
A holy war.
409
00:45:31,120 --> 00:45:35,352
The conflict between Constantine
and Licinius was long and drawn out.
410
00:45:36,720 --> 00:45:38,517
This is the reckoning.
411
00:45:39,000 --> 00:45:41,833
By the sword, we bring peace to the world.
412
00:45:44,760 --> 00:45:48,196
At stake was nothing less
than the soul of the empire.
413
00:45:51,840 --> 00:45:56,595
On whose honour does Constantine trample?
414
00:45:58,360 --> 00:46:02,512
He tramples on the gods of Rome!
415
00:46:04,400 --> 00:46:07,631
It was a war
which pitted the traditional Roman gods
416
00:46:07,760 --> 00:46:10,479
against the dynamic new Christian faith.
417
00:46:11,400 --> 00:46:15,029
On this day, we make history!
418
00:46:17,040 --> 00:46:21,477
The army of Rome
marches in the name of the one true god.
419
00:46:22,040 --> 00:46:26,636
I will give back to Rome
the gods that made her great!
420
00:46:29,600 --> 00:46:33,479
A first war in 316 A D proved indecisive.
421
00:46:33,640 --> 00:46:36,438
Neither side could deliver the killer blow.
422
00:46:39,360 --> 00:46:42,033
An uneasy peace lasted for seven years.
423
00:46:45,320 --> 00:46:49,029
But then Licinius attacked Christian communities
and slaughtered their bishops.
424
00:46:49,720 --> 00:46:52,188
A second war became inevitable.
425
00:47:05,640 --> 00:47:09,872
The decisive battle took place at Chrysopolis,
in modern day Turkey.
426
00:47:15,040 --> 00:47:16,314
Move out!
427
00:47:50,080 --> 00:47:54,676
With the battle in the balance,
Constantine unleashed his secret weapon.
428
00:47:55,720 --> 00:47:57,392
Raise the standard.
429
00:48:09,080 --> 00:48:10,399
Ignore it.
430
00:48:11,280 --> 00:48:13,430
You can't look at the banner!
431
00:48:14,160 --> 00:48:18,472
Historians of the time
described how Constantine's Christian banner
432
00:48:18,600 --> 00:48:23,628
struck terror into Licinius's army,
who feared it had magical powers.
433
00:48:31,800 --> 00:48:34,712
In the name of Jupiter, hold the line!
434
00:48:41,120 --> 00:48:42,314
Attack!
435
00:48:56,680 --> 00:48:58,432
Regroup!
436
00:48:59,000 --> 00:49:00,274
Regroup!
437
00:49:55,800 --> 00:49:57,756
Open the gate!
438
00:49:58,840 --> 00:50:00,353
Open the gate!
439
00:50:19,360 --> 00:50:20,679
It's over.
440
00:50:30,720 --> 00:50:31,994
It's over.
441
00:50:37,240 --> 00:50:38,559
I love you.
442
00:50:47,160 --> 00:50:48,559
Surrender!
443
00:50:54,040 --> 00:50:55,598
Majesty.
444
00:51:13,440 --> 00:51:14,998
Do you remember?
445
00:51:17,480 --> 00:51:20,313
Once you promised me nothing would part us.
446
00:51:21,120 --> 00:51:24,192
That I'd always be your beloved sister.
447
00:51:26,920 --> 00:51:29,639
Spare him, please.
448
00:51:32,040 --> 00:51:33,359
I beg you.
449
00:51:36,960 --> 00:51:38,029
Why?
450
00:51:40,160 --> 00:51:43,914
For my sake, because I love him.
451
00:51:48,440 --> 00:51:54,231
You dare to challenge your emperor?
452
00:51:55,360 --> 00:51:57,999
I dare challenge my brother.
453
00:52:05,720 --> 00:52:07,039
Look at me.
454
00:52:07,920 --> 00:52:09,239
Look at me.
455
00:52:10,080 --> 00:52:11,991
I'm still your sister.
456
00:52:18,280 --> 00:52:20,475
Our God teaches us to forgive.
457
00:52:22,280 --> 00:52:24,350
You think you're God,
458
00:52:24,480 --> 00:52:26,914
to decide who lives and who dies?
459
00:52:27,040 --> 00:52:28,837
But you're not God!
460
00:52:32,960 --> 00:52:34,439
You're not God!
461
00:52:55,960 --> 00:52:57,075
Kneel.
462
00:53:02,320 --> 00:53:04,834
God forgives those who truly repent.
463
00:53:06,760 --> 00:53:11,231
With your surrender,
the entire empire falls under my authority.
464
00:53:12,920 --> 00:53:16,037
Do you accept me as sole emperor?
465
00:53:18,760 --> 00:53:19,829
I do.
466
00:53:29,840 --> 00:53:33,879
My law... is God's law
467
00:53:35,800 --> 00:53:39,475
and it is... merciful.
468
00:53:45,880 --> 00:53:46,869
Go...
469
00:53:51,480 --> 00:53:53,630
Live out your days in peace.
470
00:54:17,400 --> 00:54:24,272
Licinius was allowed to retire to a villa in Greece
with Constantia and their son, Licinianus.
471
00:54:37,400 --> 00:54:39,709
Eight months after Chrysopolis,
472
00:54:39,840 --> 00:54:43,674
Constantine forged ahead
with his vision of a Christian empire
473
00:54:43,800 --> 00:54:48,316
by bringing together hundreds of bishops
to work out a statement of belief
474
00:54:48,440 --> 00:54:51,716
which is still at the heart of Christianity today.
475
00:54:52,240 --> 00:54:54,231
We have agreed a form of words.
476
00:54:56,280 --> 00:54:58,157
We believe in one God,
477
00:55:00,080 --> 00:55:01,399
the Father,
478
00:55:02,280 --> 00:55:03,679
the Almighty.
479
00:55:07,480 --> 00:55:11,473
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
480
00:55:12,960 --> 00:55:17,397
the only son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father.
481
00:55:23,160 --> 00:55:24,593
God from God.
482
00:55:25,080 --> 00:55:26,672
Light from light.
483
00:55:30,520 --> 00:55:33,592
True God from true God.
484
00:55:34,200 --> 00:55:37,715
The boy! The boy! Save the boy!
485
00:55:39,600 --> 00:55:40,794
The boy!
486
00:55:41,080 --> 00:55:42,479
Save the boy!
487
00:55:44,680 --> 00:55:48,719
We believe in one Holy Catholic
and Apostolic Church.
488
00:55:50,200 --> 00:55:53,237
We acknowledge one baptism
for the remission of sins.
489
00:55:57,080 --> 00:56:00,390
We look for the resurrection of the dead
490
00:56:02,320 --> 00:56:05,357
and the life of the world to come.
491
00:56:10,880 --> 00:56:12,757
God forgive you.
492
00:56:14,520 --> 00:56:16,397
God forgive you.
493
00:56:20,280 --> 00:56:21,349
Amen.
494
00:56:39,080 --> 00:56:41,548
A few months after Licinius's murder,
495
00:56:41,680 --> 00:56:45,229
Fausta was found
mysteriously suffocated in a steam bath.
496
00:56:45,720 --> 00:56:48,712
Some believe, on Constantine's orders.
497
00:56:54,640 --> 00:57:00,033
Lactantius died before he could see Constantine
fulfil his vision of a Christian empire.
498
00:57:01,160 --> 00:57:05,039
His writings are one of the main sources
on Constantine's rule.
499
00:57:08,240 --> 00:57:11,755
Constantia lived out her days
in Constantine's court.
500
00:57:12,840 --> 00:57:18,073
We don't know if she ever forgave her brother
for the murder of her husband and her son.
501
00:57:24,800 --> 00:57:26,153
Constantine,
502
00:57:26,520 --> 00:57:30,672
Rome's first Christian emperor,
lived another 12 years.
503
00:57:31,920 --> 00:57:33,831
Of all Rome's emperors,
504
00:57:33,960 --> 00:57:37,555
his legacy is the most far-reaching
and long-lasting.
505
00:57:38,680 --> 00:57:42,468
It's because of him
that Christianity is the dominant religion
506
00:57:42,600 --> 00:57:44,670
of the western world today.
507
00:57:56,800 --> 00:57:59,155
Next on Ancient Rome...
508
00:57:59,280 --> 00:58:00,952
The end of empire.
509
00:58:01,680 --> 00:58:03,716
A story of savage hordes.
510
00:58:04,240 --> 00:58:05,832
A devious emperor
511
00:58:06,200 --> 00:58:08,156
and his beautiful sister.
512
00:58:09,200 --> 00:58:13,318
How barbarians destroyed the greatest city
the world has ever known.
513
00:58:14,240 --> 00:58:17,118
And all because of a terrible mistake.
9999
00:00:0,500 --> 00:00:2,00
38778
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