Page:Constantinople by Brodribb.djvu/114

 became hateful to the emperor after the death of his brother Theodosius, whom he murdered for some unknown cause. Theodosius was in priest's orders. Constans had frequently received the sacrament from him. In visions of the night he saw the spectre of his brother offering him the chalice of human blood, with the invitation, "Drink, my brother." He was himself murdered at Syracuse.

The reign of Constantine IV., who succeeded Constans, was commenced by a very remarkable mutiny. The troops of Asia Minor demanded that the emperor should associate with himself his two brothers, so that in the government of the empire there might be seen a resemblance to the government of the universe. Constantine fought the mutineers with their own weapons. He sent a minister whom he could trust, with instructions to temporize and talk. The emperor, his ambassador was to say, was anxious to meet the views of his faithful soldiers; in fact, he had already intended to make the pious arrangement proposed, but it was necessary to wait for the consent of the senate. Until that could be obtained, nothing could be done. The soldiers appeased, the minister invited the principal mutineers to accompany him to the imperial city. They did so, and were hanged upon the sea shore in full view of their companions.

In the year 672 news arrived that the Saracens were beginning to make preparations on a scale so gigantic that it was impossible to doubt their aim. They collected together an enormous fleet—one always wonders in what