Constantine the Great and Christianity

Quick Facts: Who was Constantine the Great and Christianity?

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Constantine the Great and Christianity

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Emperor who legalized Christianity and established the model for the state church.

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Origins & Early Life

During the reign of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great (306–337 AD), Christianity began to transition to the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. Historians remain uncertain about Constantine's reasons for favoring Christianity, and theologians and historians have often argued about which form of early Christianity he subscribed to. There is no consensus among scholars as to whether he was raised a Christian, whether he adopted his mother Helena's Christianity in his youth, or whether, as claimed by Eusebius of Caesarea, he encouraged her to convert to the faith he had adopted. Constantine ruled the Roman Empire as sole emperor for much of his reign. Some scholars allege that his main objective was to gain unanimous approval and submission to his authority from all classes, and therefore he chose Christianity to conduct his political propaganda, believing that it was the most appropriate religion that could fit with the imperial cult.

Career & Major Achievements

Regardless, under the Constantinian dynasty Christianity expanded throughout the empire, launching the era of the state church of the Roman Empire. Whether Constantine sincerely converted to Christianity or remained loyal to paganism is a matter of debate among historians. His formal conversion in 312 is almost universally acknowledged among historians, despite that it was claimed he was baptized only on his deathbed by the Arian bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia in 337; the real reasons behind it remain unknown and are debated also. Constantine's decision to cease the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire was a turning point for early Christianity, sometimes referred to as the Triumph of the Church, the Peace of the Church or the Constantinian shift. In 313, Constantine and Licinius issued the Edict of Milan decriminalizing Christian worship.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The emperor became a great patron of the Church and set a precedent for the position of the Christian emperor within the Church and raised the notions of orthodoxy, Christendom, ecumenical councils, and the state church of the Roman Empire declared by edict in 380. He is revered as a saint and isapostolos in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and various Eastern Catholic Churches for his example as a Christian monarch. The first recorded official persecution of Christians on behalf of the Roman Empire was in AD 64, when, as reported by the Roman historian Tacitus, Emperor Nero attempted to blame Christians for the Great Fire of Rome. According to Church tradition, it was during the reign of Nero that Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome. However, modern historians debate whether the Roman government distinguished between Christians and Jews prior to Nerva's modification of the Fiscus Judaicus in 96, from which point practising Jews paid the tax and Christians did not.

Notable Quotes by Constantine the Great and Christianity

“I believe that I owe my successes to the protection of the High God alone.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Constantine the Great and Christianity

True or False: “Constantine's conversion was universally accepted by all contemporary historians as a straightforward, single event.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Ancient sources disagree on the timing and nature of his conversion; some suggest it was gradual while others cite specific visions.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Constantine V — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Byzantine Emperor known for military reforms and support of Iconoclasm (741-775)
• Constantine VII — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Byzantine Emperor known for the Geoponika and literary works.
• Constantine VIII — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Byzantine Emperor (962–1028), known for a long, nominal co-emperorship.
• Constantine XI Palaiologos — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The final Byzantine Emperor, whose death marked the end of the Eastern Roman Empire.
• Constantinople — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The enduring capital of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, now known as Istanbul.
• Constantius II — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Roman Emperor whose reign was marked by border wars and religious strife.

Frequently Asked Questions about Constantine the Great and Christianity