Flavia Julia Constantia

Unfortunately for himself and for the world, he fell under the influence of Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia.

This man, who was said to have apostatized during the persecution of Maxentius, and who had intruded himself, no one quite knew how, into the sea of Nicomedia, had begun by winning the good graces of Constantia, the emperor's sister.

During the time when Constantia's husband, Licinius, was at war with her brother, Eusebius was his staunch friend, upholding him in his rebellion against the emperor.

But on the defeat of Licinius, the bishop at once transferred his friendship to the conqueror, Constantine.

Bishop Eusebius resembled Arius in his want of reverence and of honesty, and had taken Arius' side against the patriarch, Alexander, praising openly the teaching of Arius and declaring his only wish was that all men should share his opinions.

Last but not least came the aged Patriarch of Alexandria, the chief prelate of the Eastern Church, who had brought with him his assistant, the young deacon Athanasius.

Of the 318 bishops present, 17, headed by Eusebius of Nicomedia, were in sympathy with Arius.

They were but a small number, it is true, yet Eusebius was the advisor of Constantine and the friend of his sister Constantia.

Licinius was marrying Constantine's half sister.

What was her name? Constantia.

Marriage alliances rarely work, but they gave it a try.

So they meet in Milan for the wedding.