ABSTRACT
The advent of a Christian to the throne vastly expanded the wealth, responsibilities, and consequently the rapidity of advancement in the Church. The generations after Constantine felt the benefit. Late Roman invention, though limited or altogether lacking in many areas, had new refinements of ceremonial to offer in the homes of the well-to-do as, more grandly, in the palace. It elaborated the formality of parades, of adventus, of horse racing, of trials, in short, of any public occasion. In the very heart of favor, however, quite notable pagans appear, rising above the emperor's usual prejudice against them. Sopater, Greek rhetorician and Neoplatonist, moved to Constantinople after the death of his master Iamblichus. In the last three years of his life, Constantine, despite the good health he continued to enjoy, began to unfold his plans for the succession. The unprescient Eusebius had seen a proof of divine favor in Constantine's possession of three princes to succeed him.
