The Rule of Constantine Essay

Theodosius I was a former military general who grew up as a well-educated Christian in Spain. When in the army, he served under his father, Theodosius the Elder. After his father was convicted of treason and exiled, Theodosius retired to his native country until he was summoned by Gratian, then a leader of the Western Empire, to become co-augustus (co-emperor) of the Eastern Roman empire. Early into his rule, Theodosius faced many challenges that were threatening the empire. He had no experience dealing with the Greek-speaking areas of Rome. He had never even visited the capital, Constantinople. The Goths were invading the northern borders, but the Roman army was growing smaller and weaker and wasn’t able to defend the empire. Romans were growing dissatisfied with the condition of the empire and were losing morale. As an emperor, Theodosius had to undertake the challenge of bringing the empire back from the brink of defeat. Despite his impulsivity and difficulty controlling his emotions, Theodosius I deserves to be nominated to the Roman Emperor Hall of Fame because he was able to bring unity and

Unlike most past emperors before his rise to power Justinian did not come from a noble family, Still, using his intelligence and leadership he was able to stand out as one of history’s most influential and relevant emperors to this day.

Roman emperor Constantine strategically chose Byzantion, also referred to as Byzantium, as the new imperial capital for the Roman Empire. Emperor Constantine named the capital, Constantinople (“city of Constantine), after himself (Bentley, Ziegler, and Streets-Salter, p. 182). A historian of the Christian Church, Sozomen once stated:

While the Hagia Sophia and the Pantheon were built in and represent two different time periods and locations, they have some similar structural features as well as some resembling circumstances surrounding their prospective histories. Both of their unique construction is related to their different purposes and the symbolism behind the buildings. The Pantheon represents a time in which the Roman empire was booming with trade and commerce. There was a growing interest in art and sculpture as well as religion. There was also an emphasis on imperialism and the strength and power of the emperor. The transition from the Roman to the Byzantine empire took place under the emperor, Constantine and it happened around 330 C.E. He moved the capital from Rome to Byzantion and renamed the city Constantinople meaning the city of Constantine, which is modern day Istanbul. This was also a huge intersection in the east-west trade. He then changed the official religion of the empire to Christianity which created a major shift in structures, works of art, and lifestyle dynamics. The emperor was now seen as the head of the church, and in 391 C.E. all temples and forms of the pagan cult that dominated the Roman Empire were closed and banned.

The Byzantine empire and its capital of Constantinople existed for more than 1,123 years. A Roman military officer named Constantine, was stationed in Britain. Later, he defeated generals and became a Roman emperor. He gave Christianity legal standing within the empire and moved the imperial capital from Rome to Byzantium. Their emperors are not the only primary reason why the Byzantines should be studied. They protected Constantinople by building walls, preserved Greek classics, and began the Eastern Orthodox Church.

“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 made many contributions as a leader. One contribution that he made as a leader was after his father died. Western Rome was experiencing many civil wars at the time. Maximian’s son, Maxentius, felt entitled to the land because it had once belonged to his father. Constantine felt authorized to take the land because it had also once belonged to his father. Constantine was successful at

Justinian was a powerful emperor, who reconquered previously owned Roman land. During his time of reign, he helped the Byzantine Empire reach its peak in culture and propeserity. Although some see him as deceptive, as it says in document two“ Justinian was crafty, hypocritical, secretive by temperament, and two faced”. Others say he was “similar to God, who rules all” which is said in document three. He left behind what is still remember today. Achievements and accomplishment of Justinian are what is recalled of him. Justinian revived the Roman Empire into the Byzantine Empire by preservation of Greco- Roman culture, his legacy was enriching the Roman Empire into the Byzantine Empire , glorifying God, and enhancing trade and laws throughout the Byzantine Empire.

The life of Constantine, a Roman emperor from 306 to 337 AD, is explained by two different accounts that differ from each other. The first one that was written by Eusebius in 337 AD states that Constantine is a victorious, pious emperor who helps others and orders the construction of sacred places to honor Christ. The second account was written in 520 AD by Zosimus and it states that Constantine is an impious, arrogant and selfish emperor who is responsible of the Roman Empire’s collapse.

Constantine sought a way out of the problems his empire was facing. So Constantine moved his seat as the ruler of Rome East to the city of Byzantium. Which he later ended up, “changing its name from Byzantium to Constantinople.” (Cunningham, et al. 186).

Constantine was the first emperor to tolerate Christianity. As time went on and the empire became under the rule of Justinian, one of the most beautiful architectures in Europe, the Hagia Sophia, was built. As more adjustments were being made to the empire, one of the biggest changes was expansion. The Byzantine Empire started to conquer more of the land to the west and had started expanding the empire to the point where it included Italy, Sicily, North Africa, southern Spain, Syria, Greece, Italy, Egypt, and North Africa. The location of the capital, Constantinople, eventually made it become extremely successful and wealthy.

He was called "Charles the great" by many. This man built schools through out the whole empire because he admired education. Scholars were brought with him to influence and teach his people about religious and social life. He was important in history because he was a big part of the spread of Christianity.

Constantine the Great was a Roman Emperor from 306-337 AD. He was a soldier who arduously worked to climb through the ranks, working through a civil war to become emperor. He is most famous for establishing a new capital where Byzantium once was, and named the new establishment “Constantinople.” However, Constantine is most famous for becoming Roman Emperor who converted to Christianity in his forties. His mother, Helen, was a Christian and ultimately decided to convert after believing that the Christian god had helped him in his success though the war. He enacted the Edict of Milan in the third century with his co-emperor Licinius, and officially declared Christianity legal. This document was one of the most significant and important writings of the time because it declares that Christians could freely practice religion.

Constantine laid the foundations of what would soon become a religious and profitable hub and established himself as “the Patriarchate of Constantinople” (“Legitimization Under Constantine”). The institution of Constantinople both indicated the break with its pagan past and highlighted its acceptance of Christianity. For example, Constantine did not allow pagan ceremonies in the city. Constantinople flourished as a spiritual and political capital for over a millennium. Constantine was, once again, most probably interested in the strategic location of the city, as it could be effectively used for trade and commercial purposes. Additionally, its position made it difficult to be conquered by rivaling nations. As Constantine was a very intelligent and cunning emperor, he most likely took note of all of these facts and knew that the empire would benefit economically, as well as culturally and socially, from the establishment of

Next, Constantine moved the capital from Rome to the east. He chose the Greek city of Byzantium. In 330, after expanding and enriching the city, it was dedicated as New Rome, but it was called Constantinople, meaning “the city of Constantine.” Constantinople became the capital of Christianity in the east, while Rome dominated the religion in the west.