Conversion of Constantine to Christianity Essay

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 the Church at Nicomedia be demolished and the scriptures burned. Christian men, women, and children were gathered together and told to offer a collective sacrifice to pagan gods. If they refused, they were executed. Also, Rome ruled that any Christian killed while attacking a pagan statue would be kept off the list of…

Santa Costanza, an ancient church of Rome, depicts more than a building. Representing an early treasure of Italy, this church illustrates a great masterpiece of architecture. A circular structure outside the walls of ancient Rome, Via Nomentana, was built as a mausoleum for Constantina, daughter of Constantine I (Poetschke 52). The ambulatory is surrounded by a central dome and the building is constructed as a tholos related design. The structure has survived stability in its original form, but…

Constantine’s conversion to Christianity was a pivotal turning point in the highly pagan regime of the Roman Empire (Afoldi, 1948). There has been much speculation by historians and scholars surrounding whether the conversion to Christianity was a carefully articulated political maneuver by Constantine, for military supremacy of the Roman Empire. Historically, scholars suggest that the context in which Constantine was said to have converted to Christianity was a militaristic based context, with…

Although Constantine and Clovis lived during different times, both men which who were very powerful experienced an event that affected not only their lives, but also the lives of thousands of people around them. Each man cried out for the help of the Christian God in desperation on the battlefield in which both men had received Gods’ favor. Constantine and Clovis each accepted Christ right after their battle turned out in a victory. Even though Constantine and Clovis are pretty much similar,…

consolidation and growth of Constantine’s 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…

Constantine is often regarded as the first Christian emperor, receiving veneration as a saint in both the Eastern and Western churches. The myth of “Saint Constantine” states that he awoke in the middle of the night, a bead of sweat might have been dripping down his temple, as he recalled the dream that initiated the rise of Christianity . Visions of Christ had told him in this dream to paint the first letter of Jesus’s last name on his army’s shields and for the spears to be made into crosses .…

Results of Conversion After defeating Maxentius and gaining control of Rome, Italy and North Africa, Constantine meet with Licinius in 313 to enter into alliance and consolidate his power. Together they would establish a policy of religious toleration. The Edict of Milan was the “Magna Charta of religious liberty,”[15] and it benefitted Christians in the following ways: 1) It allowed and even obligated Christians and non-Christians alike to preserve and uphold their own faiths and assemblies,…

Constantine once said “How pleasing to the wise and intelligent portion of mankind is the concord which exists among you” (“Constantine the Great”). Constantine ruled from A.D. 306 to 337, and was most commonly known for being the first Christian Emperor. Constantine fought to take power after his father’s death and saw a vision that would convert him to a Christian forever. The life of Constantine revolved around his family, his conversion to christianity and the type of leader he was…

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…

since the foundation of the Empire in 27 B.C., Constantine’s adherence to Christianity was unheard of, but also extremely important in establishing the Church into Rome’s culture. By abolishing Paganism, initiating several reforms in the city and openly encouraging conversion, Constantine acted as a catalyst for the growing faith. His influence established a wholly unified Roman Empire dedicated to Jesus Christ and his teachings, subsequently leading him to become one of the most renowned…