LABARUM

The standard of Const an tine, which he caused to be formed in commemoration of the vision of the cro in the heavens. It is described as a long pike surmounted by a golden crown inclosing a monogram whicli contains the two first letters of the name of Christ, and is at the same time a representation of the figure of the cro . Ancient monuments exhibit the figure under two forms, ^ or;^ (5C. %, (). The silken banner which depended from It was embroidered with the figure of Const an tine and his family. The labarum is engraved on some of his medals with the famous inscription, EN TOTTfil NIKA; and it was preserved for a considerable time, and brought forward at the head of the armies of the emperor on important occasions, as the palladium or safeguard of the empire. The origin of the word is still undecided. (See Beugnot, Hist, dc laDe struct i on du Pagan is me en Occident^ i. 57.; Milman, Hist, of Christianity, ii. 152.) LABDANUM, or [s. 644]