A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

314 A Source Book for Ancient Church History[286]was of doubtful legality in heathenism, though he was statesmanenough to recognize the difference in the religious conditionsbetween the East and the West, especially as to the hold whichChristianity had upon the mass of the people. While his measuresin the East became constantly harsher, in the West he toleratedheathenism. The commonly received theory is that Constantinechanged his policy. All the facts can be as easily understood onthe hypothesis that as a statesman he had constant regard to theadvisability of drastic execution of a policy which he in theoryaccepted and would have carried out in its entirety everywhere ifhe had been able.Additional source material: Eusebius, Vita Constantini (PNF),II. 44 f., 47 f., 54 ff.(a) Codex Theodosianus, IX, 16, 2; A. D. 319.Private sacrifices forbidden.Haruspices and priests and those accustomed to serve this ritewe forbid to enter any private house, or under the pretence offriendship to cross the threshold of another, under the penaltyestablished against them if they contemn the law. 96 But those ofyou who regard this rite, approach the public altars and shrinesand celebrate the solemnities of your custom; for we do notindeed prohibit the duties of the old usage to be performed inbroad daylight.(b) Codex Theodosianus, XVI, 10, 1; A. D. 320-321.Haruspicia in certain circumstances to be observed.96 I.e., as to offering sacrifices.