Bassianus and Licinius

Constantine lifted one in every of them, unrolled it and skim it, then rolled it again up once more. “So Senecio has been performing as agent in negotiations between Bassianus and Licinius,” he stated slowly. “However why would Bassianus search to betray me? I trusted him sufficient to make him Caesar and to offer him my sister in marriage. In a month or extra I’d even have made him Prefect of Italy and Africa.” “Ambition and impatience have ruined a couple of good man,” Dacius stated. “Bear in mind Julius Caesar.”

“Bassianus and Licinius have clearly been plotting to destroy me and take over the Empire for themselves,” Constantine stated. “So there will be no query of what to do with them. However how can I inform Anastasia that I need to execute her husband virtually earlier than their marriage mattress is chilly?”

“Or your different sister, Constantia, that her husband additionally sought your dying,” Dacius stated. “She has simply borne that black traitor, Licinius, a son.”

Constantine picked up the scrolls and skim by them once more. “Licinius says right here that he’s transferring to Sirmium. Little doubt he meant to drive eastward from the Danube and be a part of forces with Bassianus, after I used to be assassinated and the legions purchased off with the gold he was sending to Senecio.”

“I reached the identical conclusion,” Adrian agreed.

“Do you assume many others in Rome are concerned on this plot?” “I can not inform, Dominus,” the service provider stated. “I solely discovered of this accidentally as a result of Camianus was intelligent sufficient to find the scrolls, after the grasp of the galley tried to jettison them.” “Your nephew shall obtain my private commendation and a beneficiant reward,” Constantine promised and turned to Dacius.

Arrest Bassianus

Ship a tribune you’ll be able to belief and 100 males to Rome without delay. Inform them to arrest Bassianus and convey him to me right here. In the meantime, I would like you to depart without delay for Treves to lift a military there and transfer by the northern passes towards Sirmium.” “Shall I cross over into the territory of Licinius?” Dacius requested. “Not till I ship you phrase, however be prepared on the border.” Constantine raised his palms and allow them to drop in a gesture of defeat. “Why should I battle once more, when a lot may very well be executed for everybody, if I have been solely left to rule in peace?”