Transcript Constantine the Great and Toleration

Constantine the Great
and Toleration
Constantine and Toleration
How can we explain Constantine’s
significance for Christian history?
 How can we compare/contrast him with
other Roman emperors thus far?
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Constantine and Toleration
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Constantine I
(ca. 272-337)
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Parents
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Early years
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Constantine the Great,
Capitoline Museum, Rome
Constantius Chlorus
(r. 293-306)
Helena
Court of Diocletian
Officer in Roman army
Religion: solar
monotheism
Constantine and Toleration
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Constantine I
(r. 306-337)
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After abdication of
Diocletian, returned to
Britannia
Constantine
proclaimed himself
emperor
Ended Christian
persecution in his
territories
Constantine I, York Minster
Constantine and Toleration
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Affairs in the Empire
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Persecution under Galerius,
then toleration (311)
Galerius died (311)
Maximinus Daia
disregarded edict 
renewed persecution
Coup of Maxentius (306)
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Galerius
Proclaimed himself
emperor
Betrayed Constantine 
war!
Constantine and Toleration
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Constantine vs. Maxentius (312)
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Constantine invaded Italy  Rome
Battle of Milvian Bridge (October 28, 312) 
Constantine victorious
No resistance from Maxentius’s supporters in
North Africa
Constantine sovereign of Latin West
By 324, controlled entire Roman world
Constantine and Toleration
Milvian Bridge, Rome
Constantine and Toleration
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Constantine’s Conversion
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Vision before battle?
Soldiers marched with Christian symbol
Constantine now Christian
Granted Christians toleration 313
Constantine and Toleration
Constantine and Toleration
Arch of Constantine (312-15), Rome
Constantine and Toleration
Constantine and Toleration
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Constantine and the
Christians
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Privileged position!
Christian army
Lavished wealth on
Church
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Shrines to martyrs
Churches!
Constantine and Toleration
The Lateran Basilica (312-18), Rome
Constantine and Toleration
Statue of Constantine I, Lateran Basilica
Constantine and Toleration
Old St. Peter’s (324), Rome
Constantine and Toleration
Column from Old St. Peter’s, Vatican Grottoes
Constantine and Toleration
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem
Constantine and Toleration
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Constantine and
Constantinople
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Founded as “New
Rome” (324)
Center of government
Numerous attractions
Center of Greek
culture
To be a “Christian” city
Constantine and Constantinople,
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Constantine and Toleration
Column of Constantine, Istanbul
Constantine and Toleration
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Questions?
Constantine and Toleration
How can we explain Constantine’s
significance for Christian history?
 How can we compare/contrast him with
other Roman emperors thus far?
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Primary Source
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Edicts of Toleration
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What does “toleration” mean?
Who were the authors?
What were their intentions?
How can we contrast these documents?