144 remembering constantine at the milvian bridge

was colorful but did not offer many precise details. In particular, his
“account of the battle of the Milvian Bridge is as empty of substance as
it is full of descriptive elements.” Rather than providing an independent
account based on new details, Nazarius seemed to be describing and
elaborating on the initial panels in the narrative sequence on the arch.
Although he certainly had some exact information about Constantine’s
battles in northern Italy, he often seemed to be merely expanding the
basic iconographical narrative with stock scenes and his own imagina-
tion. Many of his comments were the equivalent of captions for the
panels.61
The next panel in the narrative sequence depicted Constantine’s
arrival in Rome. Nazarius described the same scene. “The emperor’s
entrance into the city must be mentioned, and for expressing the great
joy of the senate and Roman people an oration is inadequate unless it
is itself extravagant.” He continued by mentioning Constantine’s gen-
erosity, which a panel on the arch had also highlighted. The emperor’s
gifts for the city had included his patronage for construction projects.
“The most celebrated [monuments] of the city shine with new efforts.”
These projects included the renovation of the Circus Maximus with
new porticoes and columns.62
Nazarius furthermore deployed the terminology of the dedicatory
inscription on the arch and provided a commentary in his remarks.
On the arch the primary dedication praised Constantine for having
avenged the Republic “from both a tyrant and his entire faction.” In his
panegyric Nazarius consistently called Maxentius a “tyrant.” Until Con-
stantine arrived, Rome had been “submerged in the evils of an impious
tyranny.” After his victory Constantine sent “the most disgusting head

61
Waves: Panegyrici latini 4(10).30.1. Quotation about substance from Nixon and Rodgers
(1994) 374n.124. Note that Nazarius declined to elaborate on the events of the battle “because
they were discussed by me in more detail already yesterday”: see Panegyrici latini 4(10).30.2.
Perhaps he had just recently delivered another oration to celebrate Constantine’s birthday on
February 27: for the festival at Rome during the mid-fourth century, see Fasti Furii Filocali,
February 27, “N(atalis) d(ivi) Constantini,” ed. Degrassi (1963) 241.
62
Panegyrici latini 4(10).30.4, entrance, 33.4, generosity, 35.4, most celebrated, 35.5, Circus
Maximus.