Early Christianity
Christianity was different from other religions in the Greco-Roman world. Following the guidance of Jesus himself, Christians did not worship in temples, and they kept to a special lifestyle with dietary restrictions and religious often quoted the words of Jesus. It was a distinct religion by the time of Constantine the Great and he saw it as an opportunity and a way to unify the Roman Empire.
Early Christianity did not receive favorable treatment from the government. Roman authorities had seen it developed as a Judean faith with Jewish roots and they had difficulty accepting it as a legitimate alternative, due to its unfamiliarity. Religious persecution had been rampant since the days of Decius, under whom Christians were treated as an out-group not welcomed by society and a threat to the peace and unity of the Roman Empire.
Constantine and Christianity
Constantine the Great had embraced Christianity and was the first Roman emperor to embrace it as the state religion of the empire. It is assumed he was converted after 312 AD. His Sword of Divine Protection, the labarum, was a reminder of his Christian faith and he used it as a unifying symbol of the Roman Empire.
Constantine was not necessarily a Christian himself but he used Christianity to gain popular support amongst the common people. He was well aware of the potential political and social ramifications of introducing the Christian faith to the Roman Empire. It had the power to unify the people and provide a common cultural identity.
In 313 AD, with the Edict of Milan, Constantine issued an official document that declared religious freedom. It allowed all subjects to follow their own faith, publicly or privately, and it was seen as a watershed moment in the history of Christianity.
Christians Given Legitimacy
Constantine believed that Christianity could be a unifying force in the Roman Empire and he made it the official religion of the empire, which granted the religion legitimacy. This was a crucial step for the Roman Empire and its citizens.
Constantine was also a patron of the Church, sponsoring new churches and providing a safe place for Christians to practice their faith. The Church gained political and economic clout and Constantine supported it with generous donations and privileges. Constantine even created a new branch of Christianity in the form of Arianism, which was a more approachable form of Christianity for non-believers.
In 325 AD, Constantine called the Council of Nicaea to codify Christian doctrine and resolve theological disputes. The council produced the Nicene Creed, which set the standard for the Church’s theology. This was a pivotal moment in the Church’s history, when the Church was formally recognised and granted credibility in the Roman Empire as a legitimate religion.
Constantine’s Death
Constantine had played an important role in the spread of Christianity and when he died in 337 AD, Christianity was widely accepted throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. His Edict of Milan and later edicts, like the Edict of Thessalonica, made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire and this was crucial for its survival and legitimacy.
But despite his efforts to unify the empire under Christianity, his death saw the demise of the Roman Empire due to internal conflicts and external pressures, and the rise of the Byzantine Empire and its more authoritative form of Christianity.
The Aftermath of Constantine
Constantine’s actions made Christianity acceptable to non-Christians, both in terms of their rights as citizens and the monotheism of one god. Although the Roman Empire eventually fell and religious persecution was not ended, this period of nearly three centuries of prosperity and acceptance of different religious beliefs greatly contributed to the spread and diversity of Christianity.
With this, Constantine had given Christianity the power to spread beyond the boundaries of the Roman Empire and into other parts of the world. This spread of Christianity has had a lasting impact on the world and it could not have become so influential without Constantine’s support.
The Development of Christian Art
Constantine’s patronage of the Church also led to the development of Christian art. With a powerful leader and the support of the government, artists were emboldened to create religious images and monuments. Artists were able to express their faith through their art and the Church was able to propagate its teachings, through art, to broader audiences.
Constantine also promoted the building of churches. He founded Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 330 AD and the Hagia Sophia was built, representing the grandeur and power of the Church. This and other churches built during this period were symbols of the Church’s acceptance and its power in the Roman Empire.
Conclusion of the Persecutions
Under Constantine, the Church was given an unprecedented level of legitimacy and influence in the Roman Empire and this was crucial for the survival and spread of Christianity. He gave Christianity the chance it needed to thrive and become the religion that it is today.
Constantine also ended the era of Christian persecution, granting all citizens the right to worship their own faith and finally accepting Christianity. Under his rule, the Church grew stronger and more influential and the Christian faith spread far and wide, beyond the boundaries of the Roman Empire.
Legacy on the Church
With Constantine’s acts and policies, Christianity was able to develop in the Roman Empire and beyond. His legacy is still seen today, in the art, architecture and beliefs of the Church. Christians continue to look to his example and use of his Sword of Divine Protection to symbolise unity between believers of all denominations around the world.
Without Constantine, Christianity might never have become so widespread. His role in the spread of the religion is difficult to overstate. While it was still a minority religion at the time of his death, he had laid a foundation for the Christian faith to become one of the most influential religions of the world.
