Religious Intolerance in the Later Roman Empire - Bad request ...

incriminating documents against Felix were proved to be forgeries created by one
Ingentius. Constantine ordered that this Ingentius should be sent to his court in order
to prove to the Donatists (who were, presumably still with Constantine), that it was
“of no purpose that they show their malice against Caecilian.” 114 Constantine expected
that this would end the affair and then “these disputes having ceased, as is right, the
people may without any dissension serve their religion with the reverence that is its
due.” 115
It was to be over a year later until Constantine held his investigation into the
dispute and announced his verdict in a letter to the vicar of Africa, Eumalius, securely
dated to 10 November 316. 116 Despite the solemn words of Stevenson that “This was
the final decision, and the next step had of necessity to be persecution,” 117 this very
short letter reads like a short summing up of Constantine's verdict and is devoid of any
derogatory references to the Donatists, other than that they had invented faults against
Caecilian. Caecilian was acquitted of any charge and also his character was
commended by Constantine: he “observed the accustomed duties of his religion and
devoted himself to it as was required of him.” 118 The letter gave no indication of any
further action that would be taken against the Donatists presumably because, as shown
in the final sentence of Constantine's letter to Probianus, Constantine expected this to
be an end to the matter; Felix had been acquitted and Constantine had found not a
blemish on Caecilian’s character. It would have been pre-emptory, and at worst
provocative, for Constantine to have issued any dire threats or actions against a group
who should logically, by these inquiries, have found no reason for themselves to
remain in schism any longer.
114 Aug. C. Cres 3.70.81 frustra eos Caeciliano episcopo inv idiam com parare
115 Aug. C. Cres 3.70.81 ita enim fiet ut om issis, sicuti oportet, eiusm odi contention ibus, populus sine
dissensione aliqua, religion i propriae cum debita v eneratione deserv iat
116 Eumalius (given as Eumelius by editors of the PLRE from CTh. 9.40.2) PLRE 1.294; Aug. C. Cres
3.71.82 (PL 43.541); Maier (1987) 196-198; Corcoran (2000) 22 n79, 239 n30, 307
117 Stevenson (rev. Frend) (1987) 309
118 Aug. C. Cres 3.71.82 ac debita religionis suae officia serv antem eiqueita tu oportuit serv ientem
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