While waiting for Dacius to return from Bithynia with Crispus, he made a close inspection of the territory and found the country prosperous, though there was the usual grumbling about the taxes necessary to maintain the large army he had been developing ostensibly as a defense against the frequent German attacks but actually in preparation for the inevitable contest with Maxentius.
During this period, he also made a quick journey to Britain to inspect the defenses there and found the country stable and at peace. One thing was particularly noticeable in both Britain and Gaul: the Christians had taken him at his word and had rebuilt churches everywhere. In city after city, the bishops came to thank him for his tolerance and he could not fail to notice how well organized their congregations were, proving once again his wisdom in freeing them from persecution.
His inspection in Britain finished, Constantine hurried back to Gaul, certain that by now Dacius would have arrived with Crispus. But remembering the sturdy lad of ten with whom he had ridden across the hills around Drepanum, he was startled to find his son a tall, rather seriouslooking young man, whose eyes were remarkably like his mother’s. In almost every other way, however, he was a smaller duplicate of his grandfather Constantius, with fair hair, broad shoulders and a quiet assurance of manner belying his youth.
“Is your grandmother well?” Constantine asked.
“Very well, sir. She sent you her love.”
“And Lactantius? Has he kept you at your books?”
Crispus grinned and Constantine laughed, the reserve between them broken.
“I remember feeling the same way, when I was your age,” Constantine admitted. “But I hope you’re a better scholar than I was. Tell me, do you still ride?”
Uncle Marios
Crispus’ eyes lit up eagerly. “Uncle Marios gave me a horse of my own after I grew too large for the pony. I ride every day at home.”
“And you will here in Gaul,” Constantine assured him. “I’m going to send you to the Scholae Maenianae at Autun. My chamberlain, Eumenius, will be your tutor.”
“But I want to be a soldier like you,” Crispus protested.
“We maintain the school at Autun for training young officers to join the legions later,” Constantine explained. “The men of Gaul are fine horsemen and we put great emphasis on the cavalry.”
“I would like that, sir. When do I go?”
‘Whenever Eumenius is ready. It shouldn’t be long.”
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