Page:Historical Works of Venerable Bede vol. 2.djvu/342

 270 laid aside the purple at Nicomedia, and Maximian at Milan; the persecution, however, once begun, did not cease to rage till the seventh year of Constantine. Constantius, a man of remarkable mildness and humanity, died in Britain at York, in the sixteenth year of his administration. Such was the flagrant cruelty and continuance of this persecution, that in one month 17,000 suffered martyrdom for Christ; passing the limits of the ocean, it extended itself to Britain, and there condemned to a happy death Albanus, Aaron, and Julius, with many others, both men and women. By it suffered the presbyter Pamphilus, friend of Eusebius bishop of Csesarea, whose life he wrote in three books.

A.M. 4259 [308].

In the third year of the persecution, the same in which Constantius died, Maximin and Severus were made Cæsars by Galerius Maximian. To his persecutions of the Christians, Maximin added his rapes and other flagitious acts. In that storm, Peter of Alexandria suffered with many other bishops of Egypt; Lucian too, a presbyter of Antioch, a man remarkable for his morality, his moderation, and learning. Timothy also suffered at Rome on the 10th of the calends of July.}}

A.M. 4290 [339].

Constantine, son of Constantius by Helena his concubine, was made emperor in Britain, and reigned SO years and 10 months. From the fourth year of the persecution, Maxentius, son of Herculius is styled Augustus. Licinius, husband of Constantia, Constantine's sister, is made emperor at Carnuntum. From a persecutor Constantine becomes a Christian.