Was Constantine a pagan?
Emperor Constantine the Great (272-337) is idolized by Christians, as it was thanks to him that Christianity was able to spread throughout the world. But there’s an interesting fact about his nationality… Emperor Constantine the Great is known to have been born in Nis, present-day Serbia. Is it possible that he was of what origin? Why not?
According to historians, Constantine the Great was a pagan emperor but later converted to Christianity in October 0312 AD. God himself approached him in a dream in which he told him that he would win the battle with the help of Christ.
Constantine the Great’s unusual insistence on completing the various strategic fortifications on the Danubian frontier, such as the one at Sucidava, or repairing others that were more worn out, such as the one between Sucidava and Romula, was a sign of the Emperor’s determination to make the Danubian frontier a better place. As well as the building of the Constantinian fortress of Daphne also proved the particular affinity of the Roman emperor of Dacian origin with his land, as well as the care he had for the sacred area of the Dacians.
Did Constantine kill his son?
Indeed, Constantine pretended to belong to the dynasty of Hercules. Maxentius tried to deprive Maxentius, then Constantine, but was captured and forced to commit suicide. But Constantine now broke with Petrarch’s ideology and claimed to be from Claudius II Gotticus. So he adopted Sol Invictus as a conservative, as the money issue attests. The Arc de Triomphe in Rome showed him a radiant crown and other sun images.
According to historical evidence, Constantine is said to have killed his eldest son Crispus, who was (wrongly) accused of adultery with Fausta in AD 0326. So the reign of Constantine marked an exciting development in imperial power.
Sources about him are contradictory: Christians praise him as a colossus of history, while pagans denounce him for undermining the traditional system of government. During the Byzantine era, both Constantine and Helen became iconic and quasi-legendary. Moreover, several emperors symbolically take on the title of ‘New Constantine.’
In what year did Constantine institute the Edict of Milan?
He built places of worship: in Rome, the Lateran Palace was given to the bishop, while a great basilica was built on Vatican Hill above the site of the relics of St Peter the Apostle. St Helena discovers the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and Constantine makes the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.
In 0313 AD, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which made Christianity a lawful religion and restored property confiscated during Diocletian’s persecutions. Constantine proclaimed himself a Christian and encouraged Roman citizens to convert, leaving them free to choose. He takes various measures to show everyone the favor that Christianity enjoys (for example, establishing Sunday as a day of rest).
As with Christianity, a religion growing by its energy could not have wished for anything other than freedom and security. This is why in his time, we see churches multiplying in the Roman world and intense theological activity taking place. He encouraged Christians to enter the administration and even encouraged communities made up mainly of Christians.
Did Constantine get baptized?
Constantine’s conversion was a meaningful act. Until then, Christians had been a minority in the empire and were mainly among the modest urban population. The senatorial aristocracy was mostly pagan, except perhaps in Africa and Egypt. Under these circumstances, the chances of the Christians having an emperor among them were slim. Without a Christian emperor, the conversion of the population would have been delayed for a long time. Constantine’s conversion to Christianity also changed the relationship between church and state.
Although Constantine protected the Christian religion, he was baptized, but only shortly before the end of his life. For political reasons and to preserve social peace and harmony in relations between Christians and pagans, he formally retained the pagan title of Pontifex Maximus throughout his life. According to the historian Eusebius of Caesarea, Constantine the Great’s return to Christianity “begins” with his vision before the battle with Maxentius and his prayer to the God of Christians.
He so saw himself as God’s servant, responsible to Him for the good order of the Church. So he never hesitated to intervene in its affairs decisively, as he did in the First Council of Nicaea convening in 325. Therefore, he set the precedent that only the Emperor could call an Ecumenical Council, and the Church accepted his authority without question.
When did Constantine die?
In Constantinian historiography, the decisive moment is 312, specifically the battle of Pons Milvus on 28 October and his vision before it, which later proved relevant to his attitude towards Christianity.
Constantine died in 337 and became known to history as “the Great.” The Church honors him and his mother, the Holy Empress Helena, every year on 21 May.
Since 330, the Roman Empire has continued in Byzantium for more than a millennium. When the tide of invasions swept over the western part of it, and Old Rome fell in 476, the Roman Empire continued in the East until the fateful Tuesday, 29 May 1453, when, after a siege of over 40 days, in just three hours Constantinople falls to the Ottomans. Hence the expression ‘three evil hours’ on Tuesday.
Primary Takeaways
- Constantine is the first Christian Roman emperor in history. So he built Constantinople’s capital, calling it the “New Rome.” As early as 326, he began looking for a suitable city because he realized that the empire’s destiny had shifted eastwards.
- He chose Troy first, says historian Sozomen. Eventually, he understood the significance of the area around ancient Byzantium, which was then in ruins because it controlled the passage to the Black Sea, the Bosphorus strait.
- The reign of Constantine the Great, who was to transform the pagan empire into a Christian one, marks the beginning of Byzantine history. So the founding act was the creation of the ‘New Rome’ on the banks of the Bosphorus, the city that would bear his name: Constantinople, inaugurated on 11 May 330.
Conclusion
Emperor Constantine changed the face of the world: he restored the Roman Empire and made it a Christian empire. His reign indeed marked an evolution of imperial power. Also, in the Byzantine era, he is a symbol, which is why several emperors have symbolically taken on the title of ‘New Constantine.’ No sovereign in Byzantine history is more deserving of recognition as ‘the Great’ than Constantine because he made two decisions that changed the future of the civilized world: the recognition of Christianity and the transfer of the imperial capital from Rome to Constantinople.
Therefore, after several years of fighting, he succeeded in 312 in eliminating his most dangerous opponent, Maxentius, at the Battle of Pons Milvius near Rome. He then became master of the western part of the empire before conquering the eastern region in 324. So from a purely historical point of view, he is the one who restores the kingdom and succeeds where Diocletian failed. Therefore, he reformed the monetary system, the army – where he created elite units to defend the frontier, and the administration – where he separated the judicial and fiscal functions from the military.
I appreciate your willingness to read our article written kindly for you! Next, you can play a trivia game about Saint and the first Christian emperor, Constantine. Have a good day!
Read also: St. Cyprian. Who was Cyprian of Carthage?
Quizlet about Constantine the Great
Bibliography
- Bardill, J. (2012).Constantine, divine emperor of the Christian Golden Age. Cambridge University Press.
- Lenski, N. (2006). The reign of Constantine.The Cambridge companion to the age of Constantine, 59-90.
- Lenski, N. (2016). Constantine and the Cities. InConstantine and the Cities. University of Pennsylvania Press.
- MacMullen, R. (2014).Constantine. Routledge.
- Potter, D. (2012).Constantine the emperor. Oxford University Press.
FAQs
What was the significance of Constantine and his conversion to Christianity? ›
As the first Roman emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, Constantine played an influential role in the proclamation of the Edict of Milan in 313, which decreed tolerance for Christianity in the empire. He called the First Council of Nicaea in 325, at which the Nicene Creed was professed by Christians.
What was the impact of Constantine converting to Christianity? ›Constantine completely altered the relationship between the church and the imperial government, thereby beginning a process that eventually made Christianity the official religion of the empire. Many new converts were won, including those who converted only with the hope of advancing their careers.
How did Constantine change Christianity quizlet? ›Constantine Started to legalize christianity in 313 after the battle he won against the forces of the rival emporer. He did this through the edict of milan. Granted freedom to all christians in the roman empire.
What were the results of Constantine's conversion? ›His conversion ended the widespread persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire and greatly increased Christian power and influence in Rome. Additionally, his conversion contributed Roman law to the Catholic Heritage of the West, forming a basis of Western thought on law and justice.
Why did the Roman Empire convert to Christianity? ›The major turning point for Christianity in the Roman Empire came in the form of a vision to the future unifier, Constantine, nearly three hundred years after the death of Jesus.
How did Constantine change the religious policy of the Roman Empire? ›In 313 C.E., Roman emperor Constantine the Great ended all persecution and declared toleration for Christianity. Later that century, Christianity became the official state religion of the Empire. This drastic change in policy spread this relatively new religion to every corner of the Empire.
What's the meaning of Constantine? ›Meaning:Constant, steadfast. Constantine is a gender-neutral given name and surname of Latin origin. It derives from the Latin name Constantinus, a combination of the names Constans and Constantius, which both mean “constant” or “steadfast.” With this name, baby is sure to grow up to be someone you can always rely on!
What two changes did Constantine make during his rule? ›Constantine—who ruled from 324 CE to 337 CE—made some significant changes to the Roman Empire. Two of these changes were the new capital at Byzantium and the new Christian character of the empire (Constantine legalized Christianity and eventually converted himself).
How did Constantine promote the expansion of Christianity quizlet? ›How did Constantine promote the expansion of Christianity? - He required Roman citizens to convert to Christianity. - He named the Roman capital to honor the Christian God. - He built Christian churches throughout the Roman Empire.
Who was Constantine and how did he change the Roman Empire quizlet? ›Emperor Constantine was an emperor who united Rome and ruled the Roman Empire in 306. He made christianity the major religion in Rome and stopped the persecution of Christians, he also built a new capital of Rome called Constantinople.
What change did Constantine bring to the Church? ›
Constantine stood out because he became a Christian and unabashedly made Jesus the patron of his army. By 313, just two contenders remained, Constantine and Licinius. The two jointly issued the Edict of Milan, which made Christianity a legal religion and officially ended the persecution.
What was Constantine's most important achievement? ›One of the most significant achievements of Constantine was the construction of the impressive city of Constantinople to serve as the eastern capital of the empire. He selected the old Greek colony of Byzantium and completely rebuilt it into a spectacular new capital, and named it after himself, Constantinople.
What was the conversion of Constantine the Great? ›The Conversion of Constantine: Overview
Constantine was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 306 to 337 CE. He is best known for his conversion to Christianity, which, according to legend, occurred prior to his victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312.
During the Roman Empire, Jesus of Nazareth began preaching a message of love and forgiveness. His life and teachings led to the rise of Christianity. This religion had a great influence on the Roman Empire and on people throughout the world.
What are three reasons for the growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire? ›Its spread was greatly aided by the empire's political unification and extensive road system, as well as the belief among many Christians that the religion was something anyone could adopt, regardless of regional or religious background.
What was Constantine's policies toward Christianity? ›His religious policies, formed from these experiences, comprised increasing toleration of Christianity, limited regulations against Roman polytheism with toleration, participation in resolving religious disputes such as schism with the Donatists, and the calling of councils including the Council of Nicaea concerning ...
Why is Constantine so important? ›Who was Constantine? Constantine made Christianity the main religion of Rome, and created Constantinople, which became the most powerful city in the world. Emperor Constantine (ca A.D. 280– 337) reigned over a major transition in the Roman Empire—and much more.
Who was Constantine in the Bible? ›Constantine I was a Roman emperor who ruled early in the 4th century. He was the first Christian emperor and saw the empire begin to become a Christian state.
Why is he called Constantine the Great? ›He is known as Constantine the Great for very good reasons. After nearly 80 years, and three generations of political fragmentation, Constantine united the whole of the Roman Empire under one ruler. By 324 he had extended his power and was sole emperor, restoring stability and security to the Roman world.
When did the Roman Empire convert to Christianity? ›In 313 AD, the Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which accepted Christianity: 10 years later, it had become the official religion of the Roman Empire.
What was the Christianization of the Roman Empire? ›
The Roman Empire converted to Christianity in stages, despite the persecutions. Official recognition of the young religion was the work of Constantine, a pure product of the Tetrarchy. In 313, the Edict of Milan granted Christians, a small minority of the Empire's subjects, the right to worship freely.
What was Constantine original religion? ›Although Constantine lived much of his life as a pagan and later as a catechumen, he began to favor Christianity beginning in 312, finally becoming a Christian and being baptised by either Eusebius of Nicomedia, an Arian bishop; or by Pope Sylvester I, which is maintained by the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox ...
Who was the first person to spread Christianity? ›After Jesus, the two most significant figures in Christianity are the apostles Peter and Paul/Saul. Paul, in particular, takes a leading role in spreading the teachings of Jesus to Gentiles (non Jews) in the Roman Empire.
Who brought Christianity to the Romans? ›Constantine made Christianity the main religion of Rome, and created Constantinople, which became the most powerful city in the world. Emperor Constantine (ca A.D. 280– 337) reigned over a major transition in the Roman Empire—and much more.
Why did the Roman Empire fear Christianity? ›Although it is often claimed that Christians were persecuted for their refusal to worship the emperor, general dislike for Christians likely arose from their refusal to worship the gods or take part in sacrifice, which was expected of those living in the Roman Empire.
Where did Christianity originate from? ›Christianity began in Judea in the present-day Middle East. Jews there told prophecies about a Messiah who would remove the Romans and restore the kingdom of David. What we know about Jesus's life and his birth around 6 B.C.E., comes from the four Gospels.