The conversion of Constantine
The Conversion of Constantine
Constantine the great ruled the Roman Empire in the early fourth century C.E. from 306 until his death in 337 C.E. He became the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity and legalize the Christian religion. One of the most significant accomplishments during Constantine’s rule as Roman Emperor was the reversal of the Christian persecutions that were put in place by previous Emperor, including Diocletian’s great persecution of 303 C.E. There was great controversy concerning Constantine’s conversion because he never declared Christianity as his official religion of the realm. The date of his conversion has been debated and might have also been influenced by his mother Helena, who was a Christian as well. Most likely it occurred following the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 C.E. In 313 C.E. he legalized the Edict of Milan, where it ordered the removal of penalties for confessing to Christianity and the return of confiscated property to the Christians. The conversion of Constantine to Christianity might have Constantine convened the first ecumenical council in 325 C.E. known as the council of Nicea, which was to establish a unified doctrine for the religion. Constantine was influential in the development of religion in many ways, including legalizing Christianity.
Ballimes, Victoria, J. Encyclopedia of Global Religions. “Constantine (ca. 272-337 ce).”
Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2011. http://www.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=htpp://www.credoreference.com/entry/sagegr/constantine/ca-272-337-ce (accessed January 25, 2013).
The Impact of the Fall of the Western Empire on the Church
During the multi-sided civil war which followed, Constantine converted to Christianity in 312 C.E. Constantine moved his capitol in 330 to the ancient Greek city of Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople (city of Constantine). The Roman Empire was completely divided. Its western half succumbed to barbarian invaders over the course
Constantine the great ruled the Roman Empire in the early fourth century C.E. from 306 until his death in 337 C.E. He became the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity and legalize the Christian religion. One of the most significant accomplishments during Constantine’s rule as Roman Emperor was the reversal of the Christian persecutions that were put in place by previous Emperor, including Diocletian’s great persecution of 303 C.E. There was great controversy concerning Constantine’s conversion because he never declared Christianity as his official religion of the realm. The date of his conversion has been debated and might have also been influenced by his mother Helena, who was a Christian as well. Most likely it occurred following the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 C.E. In 313 C.E. he legalized the Edict of Milan, where it ordered the removal of penalties for confessing to Christianity and the return of confiscated property to the Christians. The conversion of Constantine to Christianity might have Constantine convened the first ecumenical council in 325 C.E. known as the council of Nicea, which was to establish a unified doctrine for the religion. Constantine was influential in the development of religion in many ways, including legalizing Christianity.
Ballimes, Victoria, J. Encyclopedia of Global Religions. “Constantine (ca. 272-337 ce).”
Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2011. http://www.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=htpp://www.credoreference.com/entry/sagegr/constantine/ca-272-337-ce (accessed January 25, 2013).
The Impact of the Fall of the Western Empire on the Church
During the multi-sided civil war which followed, Constantine converted to Christianity in 312 C.E. Constantine moved his capitol in 330 to the ancient Greek city of Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople (city of Constantine). The Roman Empire was completely divided. Its western half succumbed to barbarian invaders over the course