Week 4: The Imperial Religion: The Conversion of Constantine Flashcards
what events almost caused the collapse of the Roman Empire before Constantine came into power?
Invasion, civil war, outbreaks of plague and economic depression
what solution was put in place to prevent the collapse of the Roman Empire?
absolute power was divided between four rulers
what was the arrangement of four rules called?
‘Tetrarchy’
why did the tetrarchy begin to breakdown in the first decade of the 4th century?
the threat of invasion receded and difficulties arose concerning succession as during 309-313 most claimants were eliminated
who suicide did Constantine force?
Maximian’s in 310
which claimant died of natural causes?
Galerius in 311
who had power in Italy and North Africa?
Maxentius
when was Maxentius defeated?
at the Battle of Milivian Bridge 312
when did maximinus commit suicide?
313 after being defeated in Licinius
when did Constantine defeat Licinius
in 324 and then Constantine declared himself sole emperor of a reunited Roman Empire
did Constantine show interest in christianity in the early period?
no
when did Constantine declare himself to be a christian?
after victory at Milivian bridge on October 312
when was Constantine originally proclaimed emperor?
312
when was the verdict of Milan issued?
313
what was the erdict of Milan?
proclaimed freedom in both the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire
what effect did the Erdict of Milan have on Christianity?
gave it no real privileges but but paved the way for it to play a role in Roman society
why did Constantine originally continue with roman pagan symbolism?
so as not to cause social discontent to early on in his reign
what important turning point took place in 321?
Constantine proclaimed that christians and non-christians should worship on the day of the sun. this clearly reflected the christian day of worship on a Sunday
what appeared on coins, alongside traditional pagan images?
christian symbols
what did Constantine stipulate that his statue in the forum should depict?
a cross ‘the sign of suffering that brought salvation
why was Constantine’s campaign against Licinius religious?
licinius had reneged the erdict of Milan and introduced policies which discriminated against christians.
what was Constantinople declared as after Constantine became sole emperor of the Roman Empire?
‘the new rome’
what became a matter of both political and theological importance?
doctrinal debates
who do some scholars regard as christianises biggest enemy at the end of the third century?
The Egyptian cult Isis
what left Paganism vulnerable
the state withdrawal of support
who was responsible for the building of large basilicas in many European cities?
Constantine
what did churches allow christianity
public presence
why was christianity not ready for its rapid transformation?
because bishops were merely leaders of congregations and had now became pillars of roman society with power and influence, they were used to home churches, simple forms of worship were now complex and adapted to the splendour of the basilicas
who tried to reestablish paganism as the main imperial religion?
Julian the Apostate in 361-3
what was the core role of religion in Roman Empire?
social cohesion
what ensured social cohesion yet distinct identity?
each city had its own patron deities, and family religious rituals were carefully observed
