Eusebius Book X

Eusebius' final pages are among the most optimistic in all of historical literature. Why is Eusebius so positive and so hopeful about the future? In particular, why is he so positive about Constantine? What is Constantine doing that makes Eusebius feel that the Roman world is exactly on the right track? Do you feel Eusebius is missing anything here?

Eusebius himself didn't live in an age of peace. After years witness of the torture and horror, it's reasonable for him to rejoice seeing somebody put an end to all these sufferings and thus the identity as a Christian would be eventurally affirmed.There are plenty good reasons for him to hope for the future.

Constantine firstly abandoned the practice of persecuting Christians, which assure the Christians of the "flawless ceremonies"(Book 10:3) and also show them grace from God. The emperors "further confirmed God's blessings to us through a succession of decree in favor of the Christians".(Book 10:2) Secondly, he offered physical support for Christians. "Bishops received many personal letters, honors, and gifts of money from the emperor."(Book 10:2) The execution of Edict of Milan has ensured Christians' rights and has marked the turning point of Christianity in Roman history. All these make Eusebius feel that Roman world is on the right track.

However, just reading the last book of Eusebius's, it makes me feel that the history book has fallen out of its genre---prayers and hymns fill up this book and even one addressing a single bishop.  As the comment reads, "what follows is not history but panegyric, a literary form no longer used, though it was popular in the ancient world at this time."(Book 10:3) It's actually really subjective as a history book although it reads interesting and I can still feel his passion.
However Eusebius seems too positive that he missed something important ----the identity of Constantine and the stability and prosperity of the nation. Personally I am not sure a man with such a power can be as spiritual as Eusebius has describe, but as least it's kind of overtuned.This emperor is fulled described as a man of God in Eusebius's context. The address of Constantine in his book reveals Eusebius' biased attitude towards this historical figure. Book 10:8 "all gracious emperor that he was." "God became Constantine's friend, Protector and Guardian"; Constantine---"the godly objects", the mighty victor (Book10:9) Maier ends up this book with an interesting comment on that, which can explain Eusebius' writing to a certain extent.