[148] [Footnote 147: De M.P.c.

11.

Lactantius (or whoever was the author of this little treatise) was, at that time, an inhabitant of Nicomedia; but it seems difficult to conceive how he could acquire so accurate a knowledge of what passed in the Imperial cabinet.

Note: * Lactantius, who was subsequently chosen by Constantine to educate Crispus, might easily have learned these details from Constantine himself, already of sufficient age to interest himself in the affairs of the government, and in a position to obtain the best information .-- G.

This assumes the doubtful point of the authorship of the Treatise .-- M.] [Footnote 147a: This permission was not extorted from Diocletian; he took the step of his own accord.