Constantine I

The movie Agora depicts the escalating conflict between Christians and pagans in Roman Alexandria in the late fourth century under the emperor Theodosius I. Agora’s attempt to describe the dynamic of the conflict between Christianity and pagan Neoplatonism, especially the violence employed and shifting power, falls short of the true historical complexity by simplifying and distorting the historical narrative. Agora’s portrayal of the Christian faction known as the parabalani and their…

and Christianity, captured a worldwide code of ethics and followers due to many mediums. Both beliefs grew with vast similarities and differences while possessing extraordinary advantages like writing and influential people like the Roman Emperor Constantine and the great Ashoka. Their similarities begin with the minor basis of religion and main purpose: being a code of ethics to measure up the mortal and outer world. The recognition of Buddhism and Christianity that earlier forms of religion…

Through the rise Monasticism, both secular and religious advancements were made. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century, Monasticism rose out of a desire to leave civilization, which had been overtaken by the brutal Germanic Tribes, and devote oneself entirely to prayer and asceticism, in order to imitate Christ. Though the Monastic life of prayer and asceticism gave a new life to the faith and also evangelized the Germanic Tribes. Because of this rapid conversion of the…

Pliny was a civil servant of the governor of Bithynia from 111.113 A.D. This letter from Pliny to Trajan is one of the most famous letter in the history of Christianity, written around 112 A.D., which he wrote when he met Christians for the first time in his district and didn’t know how to deal with them. At first, he did few things but, then he thought to write a letter to the Emperor of Trajan describing what he had done so far and asking for the guidance for the coming days. This famous…

The changing relationship between early Christians and leaders of the roman empire started with Pliny the young who was a friend of emperor Trajan and an extremely respected roman official. Pliny was placed in power as the governor and one of his duties was to maintain order because the people were complaining that the temples are empty and no one was buying the certain thing for the gods. Pliny was forced to deal with the Christians as criminals. So he came up with the strategy of asking the…

In 312 AD, the transformation from Roman control to Christianity began with the conversion of the Emperor Constantine. He had more faith in one true God than of arms and soldiers. One night, he prayed a heartfelt prayer for God to stretch out His right hand to help him through his trouble. While in prayer, he had a vision. He saw a cross of light in the heavens…

Rome was consumed. Now in a difficult position, he blamed Christian arsonists. This led to a large, state-sanctioned killing of Christians that continued, on-and-off depending on various historical events and periods of peace, to AD 313, when Constantine ended it with the Edict of Milan. One of the supporters of this persecution was Emperor Diocletian. Beginning in AD 303, Diocletian’s persecution of Christians was the worst and final persecution in the Roman Empire. Diocletian dictated that…

Constantine is one of the most powerful men in Rome, he became the emperor in 306. His conversion to Christianity had a huge impact on the Church and the religion itself. Constantine had a vision right before Milvian Bridge battle. He and his army saw a cross of light in the sky above the sun with words that are in Greek. The words were In hoc signo vinces, which translates to In this sign conquer. Later that night, Constantine had a dream, he saw Christ, who had a message for him. Christ told…

Constantinus Augustus, “Constantine”. Both of these men inspired changes for the Roman Empire, such as: political reforms, spiritual reforms, and social reforms. This paper will discuss which of the two men should have been deemed the true “Augusti”. The decline of Rome was sharp, but had long lasting effects. Rome’s social environment, economic system, currency, and its allies deteriorated. This…

power and with it the development of Christianity. David Potter, author of Constantine the Emperor, argues that Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus Augustus, or more commonly known as Constantine, “is best known as the emperor of Rome who converted to Christianity and in doing so made it possible for Christianity to become a world religion.” With the growth of Christianity Potter’s assertion is hard to argue – Constantine does indeed deserve his place as the most authoritative ancient force…