1. Constantine the Great and Toleration

2. Constantine and Toleration Constantine the Great, Capitoline Museum, Rome Constantine I (ca. 272-337) Constantine I (ca. 272-337) Parents Constantius Chlorus (r. 293-306) Helena Early years Court of Diocletian Officer in Roman army Religion: solar monotheism

3. Constantine and Toleration Constantine I, York Minster Constantine I (r. 306-337) Constantine I (r. 306-337) After abdication of Diocletian, returned to Britannia After abdication of Diocletian, returned to Britannia Constantine proclaimed himself emperor Constantine proclaimed himself emperor Ended Christian persecution in his territories Ended Christian persecution in his territories Toleration Toleration Restitution Restitution

4. Constantine and Toleration Galerius Affairs in the Empire 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!

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

6. Constantine and Toleration Milvian Bridge, Rome

7. Constantine and Toleration Constantine’s Conversion Constantine’s Conversion Vision before battle? Soldiers marched with Christian symbol Constantine now Christian

8. Constantine and Toleration

9. Arch of Constantine (312-15), Rome

10. Constantine and Toleration

11. The Edict of Milan (313) The Edict of Milan (313) Freedom granted to practice any religion Anti-Christian laws repealed Mandatory restitution of Christian property Emperor sought favor of the “Supreme Deity” Constantine I, S. Lorenzo Maggiore, Milan

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

19. Constantine and Toleration Questions? Questions?