The play begins on the banks of the Tiber river, where Costantino (Constantine) is about to fight the usurper Massenzio (Maxentius), son of Massimiano (Maximian), whose crown he stole. The Sky opens, and Religion appears to announce Costantino’s victory to him. Costantino promises to avenge his sister Costanza (Constantia), who was betrayed by Licinio (Licinius): the latter was supposed to marry her and make her queen of Orient, but he joined the enemy. In Rome, Arsace passes on Costantino’s offer of peace to Massimiano, who rejects them. Fausta, Massimiano’s daughter, announces her brother’s defeat: her father asks her to swear fealty to the winner. Arsace, whom the audience believed to be in love with Fausta, gives unclear reasons to explain that he cannot love her. During a triumphant procession, the legitimate Emperor moves with the chariot of Fama (Renown), pulled by winged horses; then Fama promises Costantino victory. When the latter makes a speech to the Romans to bring them peace, Fausta throws herself at his feet. In the procession, Planco, Costanza’s servant, is looking for Licinio. Thanks to a portrait, he recognises Arsace as his mistress’ future husband. Convinced that Licinio betrayed her, Costanza promises that she will take revenge on him. Informed by Planco, Costanza pretends not to have recognised Licinio—she wants to feel just how badly she was betrayed. Licinio is won by love and reveals himself to her; he manages to make her reconcile with him: she suggests that she remains hidden before she is certain that her brother will be merciful. Drusilla learns from Planco that Costantino no longer has a wife, and that he can therefore become Fausta’s lover. But Massimiliano despairs and asks his daughter to avenge her dead brother by leading Costantino into a trap, at which point Arsace will kill him; then, he promises to marry his daughter with the murderer. Fausta refuses; Costantino finds her as she is crying. When he tells her that he wishes everyone could unite thanks to his peace proposal, she lets him know that his father left to cry from sorrow. He asks her to take him to her father, insistent despite Fausta’s vague warnings. In the forest, Massimiano is waiting for Costantino; he is with Arsace, who vainly tries to talk him into choosing peace. Costantino arrives with Fausta. As he is about to embrace the defeated king, conspirators ambuscade him. Arsace intervenes to save him; so does Fausta. Not knowing who to believe in this confusing situation, Costantino sends the three suspects to prison. When he tries to find out who the culprits are, Costantino reconciles with Arsace, whom he recognises as Licinio. But Costanza, convinced that her husband betrayed her with Fausta, wants him dead. Announcing that Massimiano is threatening his own daughter as punishment for having saved Costantino, Drusilla tells Costanza the truth. Fausta flees into the forest, looking for her father who went insane. She manages to control him, then denounces herself to Costantino. In the dungeons of the place, Arsace is locked up; Costanza meets him there. Suspecting that the two conspirators, Arsace and Fausta, are meeting, Costantino walks in on them: Costanza, leaving the prison, throws herself at his feet to tell him the truth. In the final scene, Costantino is accompanied by a procession and celebrates peace; he gives up his plan to take revenge. The play ends with two marriages, and Massimiano is said to be on the run. Then, Faith appears, surrounded by the Liberal arts.

Not specified

Ottoboni Pietro

Italy

Rome

Printed

Faith

Emperor

Ancient history

Usurper

Roman History

Fantasy

Edifying

Heroic

Il Costantino pio (1710), title page

Italian

Sister

Servant

Lady-in-waiting

Music

Chorus

Interlude

Play in verse

Disguised character (false identity)

Revelation

Vision

Miracle

Monologue

Allegory

Apparition of an angel

Procession

Attempted assassination

Crowd

Running away

Flying machine

Apparition

Clouds

Apotheosis

Il Costantino Pio

Constantine the Pious