1. Constantine the Great and Toleration

2. Constantine and Toleration
How can we explain Constantine’s significance for Christian history?
How can we compare/contrast him with other Roman emperors thus far?

3. Constantine and Toleration
Constantine I (ca )
Parents
Constantius Chlorus (r )
Helena
Early years
Court of Diocletian
Officer in Roman army
Religion: solar monotheism
Constantine the Great,
Capitoline Museum, Rome

4. Constantine and Toleration
Constantine I (r )
After abdication of Diocletian, returned to Britannia
Constantine proclaimed himself emperor
Ended Christian persecution in his territories
Constantine I, York Minster

5. Constantine and Toleration
Affairs in the Empire
Persecution under Galerius, then toleration (311)
Galerius died (311)
Maximinus Daia disregarded edict  renewed persecution
Coup of Maxentius (306)
Proclaimed himself emperor
Betrayed Constantine  war!
Galerius

6. Constantine and Toleration
Constantine vs. Maxentius (312)
Constantine invaded Italy  Rome
Battle of Milvian Bridge (October 28, 312)  Constantine victorious
No resistance from Maxentius’s supporters in North Africa
Constantine sovereign of Latin West
By 324, controlled entire Roman world

7. Constantine and Toleration
Milvian Bridge, Rome

8. Constantine and Toleration
Constantine’s Conversion
Vision before battle?
Soldiers marched with Christian symbol
Constantine now Christian
Granted Christians toleration 313

9. Constantine and Toleration

10. Constantine and Toleration
Arch of Constantine (312-15), Rome

11. Constantine and Toleration

12. Constantine and Toleration
Constantine and the Christians
Privileged position!
Christian army
Lavished wealth on Church
Shrines to martyrs
Churches!

13. Constantine and Toleration
The Lateran Basilica (312-18), Rome

14. Constantine and Toleration
Statue of Constantine I, Lateran Basilica

15. Constantine and Toleration
Old St. Peter’s (324), Rome

16. Constantine and Toleration
Column from Old St. Peter’s, Vatican Grottoes

17. Constantine and Toleration
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem

18. Constantine and Toleration
Constantine and Constantinople
Founded as “New Rome” (324)
Center of government
Numerous attractions
Center of Greek culture
To be a “Christian” city
Constantine and Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

19. Constantine and Toleration
Column of Constantine, Istanbul

20. Constantine and Toleration
Questions?

21. Constantine and Toleration
How can we explain Constantine’s significance for Christian history?
How can we compare/contrast him with other Roman emperors thus far?

22. Primary Source Edicts of Toleration What does “toleration” mean?
Who were the authors?
What were their intentions?
How can we contrast these documents?