advice that an army might be left for him to win over to himself, and that Constantine , by reason of his scanty forces, might be overpowered. The young prince believed the advice to be judicious, because given by an aged and experienced commander; and he followed it, because given by a father-in-law. He marched, leaving the most considerable part of his forces behind. Maximian waited a few days; and as soon as, by his calculation, Constantine had entered the territory of the barbarians, he suddenly resumed the imperial purple, seized the public treasures, after his wont made ample donatives to the soldiery, and feigned that such disasters had befallen Constantine as soon after befell himself. Constantine was presently informed of those events, and, by marches astonishingly rapid, he flew back with his army. Maximian , not yet prepared to oppose him, was overpowered at unawares, and the soldiers returned to their duty . Maximian had possessed himself of Marseilles (he fled there), and shut the gates. Constantine drew near, and seeing Maximian on the walls, addressed him in no harsh or hostile language, and demanded what he meant, and what it was that he wanted, and why he had acted in a way so peculiarly unbecoming him. But Maximian from the walls incessantly uttered abuse and curses against Constantine . Then, of a sudden, the gates on the opposite side having been unbarred , the besiegers were admitted into the city. The rebel emperor, and unnatural parent and a