Constantine in Legendary Literature
Samuel N. C. Lieu
“Constantine sitting amongst the Christian bishops at oecumenical council of Nicaea is in his own person beginning Europe’s Middle Age.” This oft-quoted sentence with which Norman Baynes concludes chapter on Constantine first edition Cambridge Ancient History looks forward to legacy as founder a Byzantium and Roman empire Pippin Charlemagne medieval west. However, it was not “Caesaropapism” whom historians hagiographers Ages - both east west chose commemorate. His Ages, particular, partially obscured by those two other figures reign who were more popular saints for veneration, pope Sylvester, occupied see St. Peter much reign, Constantine’s mother, Helena Augusta.
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