Question

1.Describe the changing relationship between early Christians and leaders of the Roman empire, from the death of Jesus to the reign of Constantine. 2. How was Constantine's conversion a "turning point" in history and what were the effects of his conversion? Answer in 2-3 paragraphs.

Answer 1

During the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (306–337 AD), Christianity began to transition to the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. Historians remain uncertain about Constantine's reasons for favoring Christianity, and theologians and historians have often argued about which form of Early Christianity he subscribed to. There is no consensus among scholars as to whether he adopted his mother Helena's Christianity in his youth, or, as claimed by Eusebius, encouraged her to convert to the faith himself. Some scholars question the extent to which he should be considered a Christian emperor: "Constantine saw himself as an 'emperor of the Christian people'. If this made him a Christian is the subject of ... debate,"although he allegedly received a baptism shortly before his death.

Constantine's decision to cease the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire was a turning point for Early Christianity, sometimes referred to as the Triumph of the Church, the Peace of the Church or the Constantinian shift. In 313, Constantine and Licinius issued the Edict of Milan decriminalizing Christian worship. The emperor became a great patron of the Church and set a precedent for the position of the Christian emperor within the Church and the notion of orthodoxy, Christendom, ecumenical councils, and the state church of the Roman Empire declared by edict in 380. He is revered as a saint and isapostolos in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and various Eastern Catholic Churches for his example as a "Christian monarch."

A major turning point in western history occurred when the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in 312 CE.

Whether Constantine's conversion was sincere or politically motivated (or a combination of the two), historians can only speculate. But the result was the end of persecution of Christians and the beginning of Christendom.

In 313 Constantine issued the "Edict of Milan," which granted official toleration of Christianity and other religions. He ordered that Sunday be granted the same legal rights as pagan feasts and that feasts in memory of Christian martyrs be recognized.

Constantine also outlawed gladiatorial shows (although they persisted until the 5th century) and forbade Jews to stone to death other Jews who converted to Christianity.

Contrary to popular belief, however, Constantine did not make Christianity the official religion of the empire. This was accomplished by Emperor Theodosius in 380. Constantine's program was one of toleration only, and he continued to support both Christianity and paganism.

In 314, the cross appeared on Constantine's coins, but so did the figures of Sol Invictus and Mars Convervator. He raised his children as Christians and secured Christian clergy as personal advisors, but retained the title pontifex maximus, the chief priest of the state cult, until his death.

Effects

When Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, it not only affected him and his religious lifestyle but more importantly, his Roman Empire and the Christian religion. At the time of his coming of power in 312 AD, Christianity was forbidden and followers were often tortured or executed. But with the conversion to Christianity by the ruler Constantine, the religion became more accepted and soon grew to be the official religion of Rome. Another effect of Constantine's conversion on the Roman society was the bringing together of church and state, while up until this point was kept mostly separate. His position as a government ruler and great interest in Christianity brought together the two worlds. Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity had many radical effects on the Roman society and the future of the religion.

Before Constantine came into power, Maxentius ruled Italy. During his reign, many Romans were slaughtered and Christianity was looked down upon. Constantine was planning to go into battle with Maxentius, but "he sought divine assistance" (266). He received a vision where he was told to bear the Saviour's name on a cross and be victorious in battle. He did this and later defeated Maxentius at The Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Soon after becoming ruler, he made the gradual conversion to Christianity and abandoned his old pagan practices. In the Edict of Milan (313), Constantine officially made the Christian religion legal and thus protecting it. In the past Christian followers suffered great persecution and the religion itself was forbidden and shunned. But with the conversion of Constantine, much of that changed,