Paganism was still the constitutional religion of the senate.

The hall, or temple, in which they assembled, was adorned by the statue and altar of Victory; [7] a majestic female standing on a globe, with flowing garments, expanded wings, and a crown of laurel in her outstretched hand.

[8] The senators were sworn on the altar of the goddess to observe the laws of the emperor and of the empire: and a solemn offering of wine and incense was the ordinary prelude of their public deliberations.

The removal of this ancient monument was the only injury which Constantius had offered to the superstition of the Romans.

The altar of Victory was again restored by Julian, tolerated by Valentinian, and once more banished from the senate by the zeal of Gratian.