She had a great influence over her son, and was offended by the disregard of some of her Christian servants.

* Note: This disregard consisted in the Christians fasting and praying instead of participating in the banquets and sacrifices which she celebrated with the Pagans.

Dapibus sacrificabat poene quotidie ac vicariis suis epulis exhibebat.
Christiani abstinebant, et illa cum gentibus epulante, jejuniis hi et oratiomibus insisteban; hine concepit odium Lact de Hist.Pers.

c.
11 .-- G.] The pleasure of the emperors was at length signified to the Christians, who, during the course of this melancholy winter, had expected, with anxiety, the result of so many secret consultations.

The twenty-third of February, which coincided with the Roman festival of the Terminalia, [149] was appointed (whether from accident or design) to set bounds to the progress of Christianity.