A majority of the population on earth share the beliefs of Christianity. However, many do not realize the main reason why the religion has become dominant. Throughout history, religion had always been an important part to the lives of people. It has, and remains to shape the daily lives of others around the world, regardless of which religion they choose to worship. In the Roman Empire, paganism had been a dominant religion until the reign of Constantine. To him, Christianity would be the key to strengthen the empire and acknowledge the persecuted Christians throughout the land. He was able to use his opportunities to spread his passion for the religion, and eventually, the empire followed. Despite the strong presence of Paganism before his
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During the time of Diocletian, the previous Roman ruler, the empire hardly obtained the greatness and happiness that was given by Constantine. Paganism was also popular during Diocletian’s rule, and it was against the law to not worship the Roman Gods. Constantine’s rule, however, demolished the corrupt law that conflicted with the freedom of religion for the citizens and created social unjust towards the Christians. Sources show that Constantine’s first victory at the battle at Milvian Bridge in 312, where Maxentius and Constantine fought to possess all power over the western empire, was a result of his vision to place the sign of the cross on each of his soldiers’ armor and convert to Christianity (Phillips). He “accepted the vision. He adopted the sign. He had the cross inscribed on his soldiers' armor”, which pushed him to extend the religion throughout the empire, despite being a previous Pagan (Louth). This event was his first step into his thriving power. Constantine’s visions of Christ were his main motive for conversion, for he knew that this was God’s way of communication and “by this sign, [he would] conquer” (Philips). His insight was then used to win wars throughout Europe and Asia, which resulted in the expansion of the Roman Empire. Through this, Constantine was able to conquer the holy land and keep track …show more content…
During the time of Diocletian, there were little remnants of Christian gathering spaces because of the persecution towards the religion. Any signs of Christianity were abolished, which forced those who still worshiped God to hide from society in fear of being persecuted due to the ruler’s reforms. Christians were looked down upon and had a low profile in the Roman Empire until the reign of Constantine. After his vision in 312, Constantine was able to use his new opportunity of power to provide Christianity the life it needs to thrive in the Roman Empire. Once he became emperor, “cathedrals were again rising from their foundations high into the air, and far surpassing in magnificence those previously destroyed by the enemy”, which Constantine used to slowly, but efficiently, show the strength of the religion (Louth, 323). His love for Christianity reflected upon his privileges that he “poured towards the Christians instead of restoring their loss from the persecution”, such as giving money and property to bishops (Phillips). Out of all of his reforms, Constantine’s building projects were what made Christianity a major presence in the empire. Churches like the Hagia Sophia brought attraction to the people and awareness to the growing faith. Constantine’s establishment of Constantinople in the middle of the Roman Empire had also made an important input to the spread of Christianity. Constantinople was
During the time of Diocletian, the previous Roman ruler, the empire hardly obtained the greatness and happiness that was given by Constantine. Paganism was also popular during Diocletian’s rule, and it was against the law to not worship the Roman Gods. Constantine’s rule, however, demolished the corrupt law that conflicted with the freedom of religion for the citizens and created social unjust towards the Christians. Sources show that Constantine’s first victory at the battle at Milvian Bridge in 312, where Maxentius and Constantine fought to possess all power over the western empire, was a result of his vision to place the sign of the cross on each of his soldiers’ armor and convert to Christianity (Phillips). He “accepted the vision. He adopted the sign. He had the cross inscribed on his soldiers' armor”, which pushed him to extend the religion throughout the empire, despite being a previous Pagan (Louth). This event was his first step into his thriving power. Constantine’s visions of Christ were his main motive for conversion, for he knew that this was God’s way of communication and “by this sign, [he would] conquer” (Philips). His insight was then used to win wars throughout Europe and Asia, which resulted in the expansion of the Roman Empire. Through this, Constantine was able to conquer the holy land and keep track …show more content…
During the time of Diocletian, there were little remnants of Christian gathering spaces because of the persecution towards the religion. Any signs of Christianity were abolished, which forced those who still worshiped God to hide from society in fear of being persecuted due to the ruler’s reforms. Christians were looked down upon and had a low profile in the Roman Empire until the reign of Constantine. After his vision in 312, Constantine was able to use his new opportunity of power to provide Christianity the life it needs to thrive in the Roman Empire. Once he became emperor, “cathedrals were again rising from their foundations high into the air, and far surpassing in magnificence those previously destroyed by the enemy”, which Constantine used to slowly, but efficiently, show the strength of the religion (Louth, 323). His love for Christianity reflected upon his privileges that he “poured towards the Christians instead of restoring their loss from the persecution”, such as giving money and property to bishops (Phillips). Out of all of his reforms, Constantine’s building projects were what made Christianity a major presence in the empire. Churches like the Hagia Sophia brought attraction to the people and awareness to the growing faith. Constantine’s establishment of Constantinople in the middle of the Roman Empire had also made an important input to the spread of Christianity. Constantinople was