The Arguments Of Constantine's Legalization Of Christianity

Indeed, Constantine called upon the aid of Christ to help him defeat his adversaries and end the wars of imperial succession that had been plaguing Rome since the crisis of the third century, “…he [Constantine] needed some more powerful aid than his military forces could afford him…”(Eusebius, The Conversion of Constantine, Ch. XXVII).

As a stone penetrating a tide of water, Constantine penetrated through pagan worship as he brought Christianity to the forefront after the great battle in the Roman Empire. It changed the way Romans worshiped and impacted their society as a whole. Christianity was brought to the fore front greatly due to the support of Constantine. With his help Romans had changed their Pagan views to Christian views while impacting society, education, and influence on the Roman Empire.

The Roman Empire influenced the Byzantine Empire’s culture, mainly through the religion of Christianity. Christianity first appeared in the Roman Empire, with the birth, teachings, and supposed resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the beginning years of it’s arrival, Christianity was not tolerated and Christians were mainly, and most often brutally prosecuted. However, with Constantine’s Edict of Milan, Christianity was officially tolerated, and under Theodosius, it became the official religion of the Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire inherited this relatively new religion, continuing to follow the beliefs and traditions of the church, as well as spreading the word of Jesus Christ and the message of god. Churches sprung up in the empire, such as the mighty Hagia Sophia. Located in Constantinople and built by Justinian, this church especially exemplified

Once Constantine became the ruler of the entire Western Roman Empire, he met with Licinius, the co-emperor of the eastern empire, in Milan in 313. The intended purpose of this visit was to secure an alliance between the two rulers by the marriage of Constantine's half-sister Constantia to Lucinius. It was at this time that the emperors established what is now known as the Edict of Milan. It granted the freedom to pursue any religion within the empire, not just Christianity. Christianity was merely made legal at this point, not the state-sponsored religion. The edict also granted the return of properties seized from Christians by governors. Maximinus Daia, who was the co-ruler of the eastern empire invaded Lucinian territory in the Balkans and was defeated by Lucinius' army. After a time, relations soured between Constantine and Lucinius. Lucinius eventually went back on the agreement made during the Edict of Milan and in 322 and began persecuting Christians once again (Constantine I). This led to the conflict between him and Constantine in 324, which was viewed as a war of religious beliefs in which Lucinius and his army of Goth mercenaries represented ancient pagan beliefs, and Constantine and his army of Francs represented Christianity. The opposing armies met at Adrianople on the third of July and eventually led to Constantine besieging the city of Byzantium with his ground troops and naval fleet.

In Document E it says that although the Emperor Galerius does not agree with the Christians religion they will be accepted in Roman society. This means that the emperor saw the loss of the Christian's life so terrible he needed to save them before the Roman empire crumbled. Document F expresses that Constantine issued the Edict of Milan to stop the persecution of Christians in Rome for their religion. This shows that the emperors took action so that Christianity could grow and expand as a religion and gain followers to work for the greater good. Document G says that Theodosius created a code that entailed that Christianity was now a state religion and was to be completely accepted throughout Rome. This ended any persecution of Christians in Rome and made the final step for Christianity to become a state religion. The emperors of Rome made laws that stopped the persecution of

“Beginning with the reign of Constantine I and the establishment of the Byzantine Empire, the Eastern Christian church became a tool of the Emperors. Byzantine Emperors and Empresses played a dominant role in the Eastern church and used the Christian religion to strengthen the Empire internally, to spread Byzantine cultural and political influence, and at times, to fortify their own power”

Constantine is best remembered in modern times for the Edict of Milan in 313, which fully legalized Christianity in the empire for the first time. Constantine’s edict gave Christians the right to openly practice their faith. Until then, they had met in the homes of fellow believers. Within a year of edit, Constantine ordered the building of churches throughout the empire. Although some Christians were very worried about the future of the churches if it became too close with the empire. The only people edit mentioned by name were the Christian, and the laws that came afterwards radically limited the rights of Jews as citizens of the Roman Empire.

Similarly in a letter to Anulinus he dictates that clergymen are not to be forced to perform publuc services. This is because he sees the welfare of the realm as being connected to their ability to serve God, and so would not hinder this (10:7). However, Licinius was not as pleased with this situation as he ought to have been. Eusebius writes that Licinius, consumed with envy for Constantine, began to plot against him. However,all of his plots were foiled by the divine protection Constantine enjoyed. As such, he next turned to violence and began to persecute the Christians in his realm (10:8). Eusebius records that Constantine, seeing this, had no choice but to go to war with Licinius. Constantine, enjoying the favor of God as he did, was easily victorious. Thus Constantine united the empire, and brought peace and joy to all his subjects

In the initial response of Rome to the Christian religion The Great Persecution under Diocletian did not work. This is because it did not solve the problems that were still being faced in Rome at the time. Instead of helping it divided Rome because people were not able to practice the new religion that they wanted to practice. The Christian church had a strong secular and administration organization. This is shown by the number of followers that they have.

Here he is very angry with the Pope for saying something that goes against the Christian Orthodox religion. They follow their religious traditions and rules very closely, and any change goes noticed. Later after that was sent, the Council in Constantinople deposed Pope Nicholas on grounds of heresy. Two of the provided documents talk about the epitome of the definition of the iconoclastic conciliabulum, which was held in Constantinople in 754. It talks about how idolatry was taken out of the Christian teachings and was driven away by the Holy Spirit, stating “But the before-mentioned demi-urgos of wickedness could not endure the sight of this adornment, and gradually brought back idolatry under the appearance of Christianity.

Also as Christianity became the main religion in the Roman Empire the priests and church leaders wanted to have a part in politics. Although the Leaders of the christian church may have been trying to help Rome, all they really did was further

Constantine not only pushed the empire’s territorial boundaries but its social boundaries as well. Aside from his grand empire and his successful military career, Constantine is known for something else- his religion. Under the rule of Constantine the empire became increasingly bound together by the spread of Christianity throughout its people and its rulers. Constantine not only tolerated Christians, but embraced them and became one. Under Constantine’s leadership, the Roman Empire was transformed from Pagan to Christian and transposed from West

The vision, however, differs between the sources reporting it. Lactantius stated that Constantine did not have a direct vision in the sky, rather he simply had a dream. Needless to say, whatever story of the vision may or may not be true, this battle had shown his confidence in mens divina (divine mind), because it was there that Constantine became a supporter of Christianity. In 313, Constantine declared that Christians should be able to have the freedom and worship whomever they desire in peace. This was stated in The Edict of Milan, signed by Constantine and Licinius, which proclaimed the religious toleration and

L: The roman church has abussed their authority and power, and put up walls that have detracted from their followers and god’s relationship, thus an individual directly worhsipping god is not only valid, but important.

When the Nicene Creed was created and finalized in 381 A.D., there were many heresies under the umbrella of Christianity. The Nicene Creed seeked to address these heresies and remove them from mainstream worship. One of the many heresies in this time was Arianism.