68. Constantine and the New Hope

Rome’s dress was in tatters.

Her once beautiful face emaciated

With hunger and strife.

The emperors treated her terribly

As they lavished her with gold and jewelry.

A warrior arose to save her.

Exchanging metal chest plate

For the robes of an emperor.

He had a new vision for her

Coming from the battlefield.

“Conquer by this”

Said the voice of the crossed sun

At the Milvian Bridge.

What once was persecuted was exalted and things went well.

He picked the sickly Rome up,

Flushed the moths away and sewed her dress back together.

Adorning the empire with her new symbols

He gathered men

To write a book

Uniting Jew and Christian

Through story and tradition.

On his deathbed

He was welcomed into the new religion

With water.

67. Rome’s Decedant Decline

Rome wasn’t finished here on earth.

Emperors partied in decadence

Playing fiddles while the city burned.

Her crown became the center for

Distracting people with bread and circus

As lions ate Jew and Christian alike.

Slaves fought each other

While free food was passed out to on looking spectators.

Horses were made state officials.

Emperors believed themselves gods

Relating to Jupiter

Demanding tribute and sacrifice.

They drank wine

But got drunk on power.

Civil wars

Economic crises

All kinds of trials and tribulations

Threatened the sleeping lady Rome.

She was divided into provinces

As she lay on her throne.

Yet she slept there peacefully

Unaware of her keeper.

Blinded only by wealth and games

As emperors became corrupt or mad with power.

The empire fell into decline.