Age of the Christian Roman Empire I How Keanu Reeves changed the church forever OK, Maybe Not

Age of the Christian Roman Empire I Constantine The Best and Worst thing ever to Happen to Christianity Constantine

AKA Caius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Claudius Constantius Magnus

End of Galerius EwwwwwEwwwww Edict of Toleration 311Edict of Toleration 311 Empire split between Maxentius, Maximian and ConstantineEmpire split between Maxentius, Maximian and Constantine EwwwwwEwwwww Edict of Toleration 311Edict of Toleration 311 Empire split between Maxentius, Maximian and ConstantineEmpire split between Maxentius, Maximian and Constantine

Constantine’s Early Life Son of Co-Emperor Constantius Chlorus and HelenaSon of Co-Emperor Constantius Chlorus and Helena Served under Diocletian during the Egyptian and Persian WarsServed under Diocletian during the Egyptian and Persian Wars Returned to father in Gaul to become EmperorReturned to father in Gaul to become Emperor Son of Co-Emperor Constantius Chlorus and HelenaSon of Co-Emperor Constantius Chlorus and Helena Served under Diocletian during the Egyptian and Persian WarsServed under Diocletian during the Egyptian and Persian Wars Returned to father in Gaul to become EmperorReturned to father in Gaul to become Emperor

Constantine’s Conquest Maximian Herculius father of MaxentiusMaximian Herculius father of Maxentius Galerius DiesGalerius Dies Maxentius now “Co” Emperor with ConstantineMaxentius now “Co” Emperor with Constantine Battle of Milvian BridgeBattle of Milvian Bridge Maximian Herculius father of MaxentiusMaximian Herculius father of Maxentius Galerius DiesGalerius Dies Maxentius now “Co” Emperor with ConstantineMaxentius now “Co” Emperor with Constantine Battle of Milvian BridgeBattle of Milvian Bridge

Tuto Nike Hoc Vince Constantine’s Vision Actual AppearanceActual Appearance Pious FraudPious Fraud IllusionIllusion There are no miracles, just pretty cloudsThere are no miracles, just pretty clouds DreamDream Actual AppearanceActual Appearance Pious FraudPious Fraud IllusionIllusion There are no miracles, just pretty cloudsThere are no miracles, just pretty clouds DreamDream

Constantine Wins

Yay!

Effects of Constantine Winning Edict of Toleration with Co-Regent LiciniusEdict of Toleration with Co-Regent Licinius Christian clergy exempt from military/municipal dutyChristian clergy exempt from military/municipal duty Abolished offensive pagan customsAbolished offensive pagan customs Emancipation of Christian slavesEmancipation of Christian slaves Legalized bequests to catholic churchesLegalized bequests to catholic churches Sunday -> dies Solis (day of the Sun)Sunday -> dies Solis (day of the Sun) Contributed to the building of ChurchesContributed to the building of Churches

Bad Constantine Warred against his brother in law Licinius defeating him in 324Warred against his brother in law Licinius defeating him in 324 Violates promise of mercy and executes Licinius and 11 year old son LiciniusViolates promise of mercy and executes Licinius and 11 year old son Licinius Executes Crispus his eldest son for treason as well as committing incest with Fausta (Constantine’s Wife)Executes Crispus his eldest son for treason as well as committing incest with Fausta (Constantine’s Wife) Warred against his brother in law Licinius defeating him in 324Warred against his brother in law Licinius defeating him in 324 Violates promise of mercy and executes Licinius and 11 year old son LiciniusViolates promise of mercy and executes Licinius and 11 year old son Licinius Executes Crispus his eldest son for treason as well as committing incest with Fausta (Constantine’s Wife)Executes Crispus his eldest son for treason as well as committing incest with Fausta (Constantine’s Wife)

Move to Byzantium 330AD Byzantium is renamed ConstantinopleByzantium is renamed Constantinople Many Churches builtMany Churches built Idols eliminated (modified)Idols eliminated (modified) 60 ft. Statue ApollosChristConstantine60 ft. Statue ApollosChristConstantine Byzantium is renamed ConstantinopleByzantium is renamed Constantinople Many Churches builtMany Churches built Idols eliminated (modified)Idols eliminated (modified) 60 ft. Statue ApollosChristConstantine60 ft. Statue ApollosChristConstantine

End of Constantine Deathbed baptism, performed by the semi-Arian bishop Eusebius of NicomediaDeathbed baptism, performed by the semi-Arian bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia Baptized declaring “Now let us cast away all duplicity”Baptized declaring “Now let us cast away all duplicity” Wore only baptism robes until death a few days later, on Pentecost, May, 22, 337Wore only baptism robes until death a few days later, on Pentecost, May, 22, 337

Saint Helena Daughter of an Innkeeper (maybe)Daughter of an Innkeeper (maybe) Concubine of ConstantiusConcubine of Constantius Mother of ConstantineMother of Constantine Found the True CrossFound the True Cross Built Churches in JerusalemBuilt Churches in Jerusalem Daughter of an Innkeeper (maybe)Daughter of an Innkeeper (maybe) Concubine of ConstantiusConcubine of Constantius Mother of ConstantineMother of Constantine Found the True CrossFound the True Cross Built Churches in JerusalemBuilt Churches in Jerusalem

Post Constantine Empire is Divided between his 3 sons Constantine II, Constans, and ConstantiusEmpire is Divided between his 3 sons Constantine II, Constans, and Constantius Not very christian boysNot very christian boys Constans killed Con II, then was in turn killed by the barbarian MagnetiusConstans killed Con II, then was in turn killed by the barbarian Magnetius Constantius defeated Magnetius who then committed suicide and became the sole Emperor of the Rome. A weak ruler who died a natural death.Constantius defeated Magnetius who then committed suicide and became the sole Emperor of the Rome. A weak ruler who died a natural death. Empire is Divided between his 3 sons Constantine II, Constans, and ConstantiusEmpire is Divided between his 3 sons Constantine II, Constans, and Constantius Not very christian boysNot very christian boys Constans killed Con II, then was in turn killed by the barbarian MagnetiusConstans killed Con II, then was in turn killed by the barbarian Magnetius Constantius defeated Magnetius who then committed suicide and became the sole Emperor of the Rome. A weak ruler who died a natural death.Constantius defeated Magnetius who then committed suicide and became the sole Emperor of the Rome. A weak ruler who died a natural death.

Julian the Apostate Nephew of ConstantineNephew of Constantine Last hurrah for PaganismLast hurrah for Paganism Persecuted Christians non-violentlyPersecuted Christians non-violently Stoic and Virtuous by Roman standardsStoic and Virtuous by Roman standards Sought to christianize PaganismSought to christianize Paganism Schools run by PagansSchools run by Pagans Nice to Jews, tried and failed to rebuild the TempleNice to Jews, tried and failed to rebuild the Temple Nephew of ConstantineNephew of Constantine Last hurrah for PaganismLast hurrah for Paganism Persecuted Christians non-violentlyPersecuted Christians non-violently Stoic and Virtuous by Roman standardsStoic and Virtuous by Roman standards Sought to christianize PaganismSought to christianize Paganism Schools run by PagansSchools run by Pagans Nice to Jews, tried and failed to rebuild the TempleNice to Jews, tried and failed to rebuild the Temple

Theodosius the Great The true beginning of the Christianized EmperorsThe true beginning of the Christianized Emperors Chastised by Ambrose for massacreChastised by Ambrose for massacre Initiated the final suppression of PaganismInitiated the final suppression of Paganism 391 banned under heavy fine the visiting of Pagan temples for religious purposes391 banned under heavy fine the visiting of Pagan temples for religious purposes Without state support of approval Paganism collapsed as a systemWithout state support of approval Paganism collapsed as a system

Positive Effects of the Christianized Roman Empire 1.Increased respect for women 2.Better treatment of slaves/freedom for Christian slaves 3.Gladiator games slowed if not stopped 4.More justice in Roman legislation 5.Missionary work accelerated 1.Increased respect for women 2.Better treatment of slaves/freedom for Christian slaves 3.Gladiator games slowed if not stopped 4.More justice in Roman legislation 5.Missionary work accelerated

Negative Effects of the Christianized Roman Empire 1.Pseudo-Conversion to maintain power 2.Interference of government with Church affairs 3.Weakening of the faith 4.Persecution of Pagans/Heretics 1.Pseudo-Conversion to maintain power 2.Interference of government with Church affairs 3.Weakening of the faith 4.Persecution of Pagans/Heretics