The CROSS........what is up with that?

okay so the instument of jesus death is noted in bible pages such as at Matthew 27:32,and40. There the greek word stau-ros is translated "CROSS' in various english bibles. an expository dictionary of new testament words by W.E. VINE says "STAU-ROS.....DENOTES, PRIMARILY AN UPRIGHT PALE OR STAKE." plus what about the pagan leader CONSTANTINE who convened the counsil of nicaea in 325 C.E and influenced it to adopt the unscriptual doctrine that christ was god? the NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA SAYS "ON THE EVE OF CONSTANTINE'S VICTORY OVER MAXENTIUS IN 312 HE SAW A VISION OF THE HEAVENLY SIGN OF THE CROSS, WICH HE BELIEVED TO BE A DIVINE PLEDGE OF HIS TRIUMPH". IT ALSO SAYS THAT THEREAFTER CONSTANTINE PROMOTED VENERATION OF THE CROSS. HOWEVER WOULD GOD GIVE A SIGN TO A PAGAN LEADER WHO WAS NOT DOING GOD'S WILL, AND A PAGAN SIGN AT THAT? NO...I DONT THINK SO