This generation is that of the 290s and 300s.

• In 293 [1], the emperor Diocletian decided to share the imperial power in four, keeping the East for himself and confiding the other three regions to an old soldier-friend, Maximian, to a hard and brutal professional soldier from Thrace which was called Galère, and Constance Chlore (father of Constantine). Even then, the pitfalls of such an organization had to be obvious. Although Diocletian insisted that the empire remained one and indivisible, sooner or later fractures would be inevitable. For a few years everything was going well enough – years that young Constantine passed to Diocletian’s court. But in 305 there was an event without equal in the history of the Roman Empire: the voluntary abdication of the emperor. After twenty years on the imperial throne, Diocletian withdrew from the world, forcing a furious Maximian to abdicate with him.

Galley and Constance Chlorine are proclaimed Augustes. On July 25, 306, on the death of Constance his father, Constantine was named « emperor » by his men in York. But he stays in Gaul and Britain for six years or so until the end of this generation.

(extract of the psalm 62 associated to this generation, verses 1 to 4 )

• For the conductor, on jeduthun, a song of David.
• Only to God does my soul hope for silently; from Him is my salvation.
• Only He is my Rock and my salvation, my stronghold so that I shall not falter greatly.
  • While a new empire that in its time was an enemy of the people of Israel disappears, David recalls the solidity of the Jewish people who without land, and holding only by divine alliance still survives this new empire in decline, despite the many attacks recalled in the previous psalms.
• How long will you plan destruction to man? You shall be murdered, all of you, as a leaning wall, a tottering fence.
  • The image represents Rome, who wounded Jerusalem by destroying its walls, killing its population and burning the Temple. But by likening the murderer (Rome) to a wall that collapses, the psalmist evokes the fall of Rome that is being realized. Rome bruised the Jewish people, but collapsed to this generation as the Jewish people rebuilt themselves.

• The success of Christianity in Rome does not prevent the long persistence of traditional religions. The calendar of pagan festivals remains in force, the temples are still maintained in the fourth century – some even even are built -, the Eastern cults (Mithra, Cybele) are still practiced. It is especially in the senatorial aristocracy that traditional religion keeps its most active supporters. At the beginning of the sixth century, only a few families are Christian (the Anicii, the Probi), and the senators are reluctant to do this little Roman thing, which is the adoption of the Christian novelty. Augustine’s sermon also notes the class motive of their reluctance: « I will adopt the religion of my concierge instead of Plato’s? « .

(extract of the psalm 62 associated to this generation, verse 5 )

• Only because of his loftiness have they plotted to topple him; they delight in lies; with his mouth they bless, but inwardly they curse forever.

(extract of the psalm 62 associated to this generation, verses 6 to 8 )

• Only to God should you hope, my soul, for my hope is from Him.
• Only He is my Rock and my salvation; my stronghold, I shall not falter.
• Upon God rests my salvation and my honor; [He is] the Rock of my strength, my shelter is in God.

• At [2] beginning was … the name – certainly one of the most magical that has resonated in history. Even if the empire had never existed, Byzantium would certainly have remained impressed in the minds and memories by the mere music of its name – visions of gold, malachite and porphyry, grandiose and solemn ceremonies, heavy brocades decorated with rubies and emeralds, sumptuous mosaics shining in rooms misted with incense.

(extract of the psalm 62 associated to this generation, verses 9 to 11 )

• Trust in Him at all times; people, pour out your hearts before Him. God is our shelter forever.
• The sons of men are but vanity, and men of distinction are deceitful; were they to be put on a scale, together they would equal vanity.
• Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

(extract of the psalm 62 associated to this generation, verses 12 and 13 )

• God spoke one thing, I heard two, for God has strength.
• And You, O Lord, have kindness, for You repay a man according to his deed.

 

 

 

[1] John Julius Norwich: « History of Byzantium ». Chapter: « the first centuries / Constantine the Great ». (French: « Histoire de Byzance ». Chapitre : les premiers siècles/Constantin le Grand. (p. 18) ).

[2] John Julius Norwich: « History of Byzantium » / Chapter I: Constantine the Great; (French: « Histoire de Byzance »/Chapitre I: Constantin le Grand/p.17 ).