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The Compassion of Constantine

From Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race by M. I. Ebbutt

This reader is drawn from M. I. Ebbutt's Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race, a collection first published in the early twentieth century. The tale, which Ebbutt credits to the medieval poet John Gower's Confessio Amantis, is offered as an exemplar of charity and pity. Constantine the Great (c. 272–337 CE) was a historical Roman emperor whose reign marked a turning point for Christianity in the empire; this story dramatises his legendary conversion and the compassion tradition credits to him. This text reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. The story is worth a reader's time because it dramatises a timeless moral question: when is self-sacrifice the mark of true leadership?

Band

Blue · Independent readers, confidentTypical starting range: ages 12–14

Length

long · about 1021 words in 5 sections · 2 pictures

Source

Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race, M. I. Ebbutt

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (10 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

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