Galerius in Nicomedia
It was midnight before Constantine was able to step down from the throne chair of the audience chamber in his father’s now his own palace and turn his attention to perhaps the most important of his first official duties. This was the writing of the letter that would be sent by a waiting Imperial Courier to Galerius in Nicomedia, informing the Emperor of the East of Constantius’ death and the designation of Constantine himself as ruler by popular acclaim of both army and people in that area. For this task Eumenius, Dacius and Crocus gathered with him in the palace, where food and wine had been placed upon a table. But there was no time tonight for the leisurely dining and lounging upon couches that characterized Roman social life. This was a council of war, with Galerius the enemy.
“Are you going to tell Galerius of your acclamation as Augustus?” Dacius asked.
“We must decide that first,” Constantine said, then added with a smile, “General Dacius.”
The former centurion was too hardbitten a soldier to break down, or even show much emotion. But Constantine did not miss the sudden warm glow of gratitude in the wise old eyes.
“You shall be my major military adviser,” Constantine told him, but Dacius shook his head.
“You have a special genius for such things,” he said. “I am only a soldier, not a tactician.”
“We four will make the decisions together, then. What comes first?”
“After the letter is sent to Galerius, you must go to Gaul and be acclaimed there,” Crocus said.
“What about Spain?”
“That can come later,” Eumenius said. “The army and people of Britain and Gaul must be behind you by the time Galerius receives the letter we will send him.” He glanced quickly at Constantine. “Forgive me, Augustus. Your father and I were very close and I developed a habit of speaking my thoughts without invitation.”
“Nor will you need an invitation from me,” Constantine assured him. “I agree completely with everything you say.”
“What title will you claim?” Dacius asked.
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