Term Paper On Ancient Church History
Term Paper On Ancient Church History
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In Partial Fulfilment
Of the Requirements for the CHPA 1 course
Ancient Church History
by
May 2023
I. INTRODUCTION
The arrival of Constantine the Great, a prominent person in the history of the
Roman Empire, resulted in a significant alteration in the ancient world's religious
landscape. Constantine's reign was notable for its military victories, political shrewdness,
and visionary leadership. This paper will specifically examine Constantine the Great's
key accomplishments, offering light on his influence and the elements that helped to
establish Christianity as a respected and influential religion throughout his reign and how
it impacted the coourse of history especially for the path of the Catholic Church.
Cf. An influential figure who switched the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday - Opera
2
5
Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius, p. 3
6
Ibid, p. 72.
7
Various elected officials in ancient Rome were known as tribunes. The tribunes of the plebs and
the military tribunes were the two most significant. A college of 10 tribunes of the plebs, who held the
power of ius intercessionis to intercede on behalf of the plebeians and veto unfavorable legislation, served
as a check on the senate and the yearly magistrates for the majority of Roman history. Additionally, there
were military tribunes who oversaw divisions of the Roman army and were answerable to higher-ranking
officials like the consuls and praetors, promagistrates, and their legates.
8
Elliott, Thomas Gerorge, The Christianity of Constantine the Great, (New York: University of
Scranton Press), 1996, p. 30.
Rattini, Kristin Baird, National Geographic, Who Was Constantine, Published 26, 2019,
9
10
Lucius Caecilius Firmianus or Lactantius (c. 250 – c. 325) was an early Christian author who
became an advisor to Roman emperor Constantine, guiding his Christian religious policy in its initial stages
of emergence, and a tutor to his son Crispus. He is best known for his apologetic works, widely read during
the Renaissance by humanists, who called Lactantius the "Christian Cicero".
12
Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius, p. 28.
13
Ibid.
15
Lactantius, translated by J.L. Creed, De Mortibus Persecutorum , (Oxford: Clarendon Press,
1984), p. 44.
Vinces" ("In this sign thou shalt conquer").16 Although Eusebius is evasive about the
exact time and location of these events, they do appear in his story before the conflict
with Maxentius starts.
Along Maxentius' line, Constantine stationed his own troops the entire distance.
When he gave the command to charge, his cavalry destroyed Maxentius' cavalry. When
Maxentius sent his troops against him, he dispatched his own, driving many of them into
the Tiber, where they were killed and drowned. Maxentius' men were dispersed before
the first charge during the brief combat. His praetorians and horse guards first maintained
their ground, but they were forced to retreat to the river after being charged by
Constantinian horsemen. Maxentius rode with them and made an attempt to cross the
Ponte Milvio, but the throng of his soldiers fleeing forced him into the Tiber, where he
drowned.17 Constantine attributed his success to the Christian God no matter what he
witnessed or experienced.
In February 313, Constantine met with Licinius in Milan and developed the Edict
of Milan, which stated that Christians should be allowed to follow their religion without
oppression.18The traditional religion of the Romans was "paganism," and during the
Ancient Roman era, Christians were persecuted and even tortured. The Edict of Milan
also contained other protections for previously persecuted Christians and other articles
stipulating the return of all confiscated churches. This was the first major step towards the
support of Emperor Constantine to Christianity.
Christianity might have endured ferocious persecution and battled for legitimacy
without the Edict of Milan. It is conceivable that Christianity would have continued to be
a minority sect, which would have limited its influence in later centuries. The Edict
offered other religions throughout the Roman Empire as well as Christianity religious
tolerance. Without this essential defense, Christianity would have continued to be
persecuted and would have remained on the periphery of society.
16
Eusebius, tr. Odahl, Vita Constantini, (London: Samuel and Sons, 1999), p. 105.
17
Bowder, Diana,The Age of Constantine and Julian, (New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1987),
p. 28.
IV. PROMOTION AND LEGALIZATION OF CHRISTIANITY
Constantine, who made it plain that his achievements were only due to the
protection of the Christian High God, declared himself a Christian after turning 40,
according to Christian sources. Despite his claims to be a Christian, he waited until he
was about to pass away to be baptized because he thought that would absolve him of
whatever sins he may have committed while carrying out his policies as emperor.
He provided financial support for the Church, constructed basilicas, gave clergy
privileges (such as freedom from paying some taxes), elevated Christians to important
positions, and gave back property that had been seized during the protracted era of
persecution. His most famous building projects include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
and Old St. Peter's Basilica.19 In constructing the Old St. Peter's Basilica, Constantine
went to great lengths to erect the basilica on top of St. Peter's resting place, so much so
that it even affected the design of the basilica, including the challenge of erecting it on the
hill where St. Peter rested, making its complete construction time over 30 years from the
date Constantine ordered it to be built.
The building of churches and the funding of the clergy would have been greatly
restricted in the absence of Constantine's patronage. Due to Constantine's conversion and
subsequent support of Christianity, large sums of money were spent on churches and
other Christian structures. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which was
constructed under Constantine's sponsorship, is the most renowned example. These
impressive buildings functioned as gathering places for Christian worship and as markers
of the religion's expanding power. He also enacted a law in 321 declaring the revered
Sunday a day of rest for all citizens. Following the erasure of the pagans from his
currency, Christian symbols began to appear as Constantine's qualities, such as the chi
rho on his labarum or between his hands.
Constantine also elevated the prestige of the clergy within the empire by
exempting them from some taxes and giving them legal rights. The clergy received this
backing, which not only guaranteed their financial security but also gave them power and
influence. The development of Christian infrastructure and the dissemination of the faith
would have been hampered in the absence of such support. Christian leaders would not
R. Gerberding and J. H. Moran Cruz, Medieval Worlds, (New York: Houghton Mifflin
19
Richards, Jeffrey, The Popes and the Papacy in the Early Middle Ages, (London: Routledge,
1979), p. 14.
21
Ibid.
22
Ibid.
24
V. CONCLUSION
The path of history would have been drastically different if Constantine had not
converted to Christianity or had not defended it. The development and spread of
Christianity were significantly impacted by Constantine's acceptance of it and his
subsequent support of it. By granting religious tolerance, the Edict of Milan ensured the
continuation and expansion of Christianity. Constantine's generosity helped build
churches and supported the clergy financially, strengthening the foundation of the faith.
The Nicene Creed was developed during the Council of Nicaea solidified fundamental
principles and created theological unity. Without Constantine's assistance, Christianity
might have remained an outcast group, lacking the foundational elements and doctrinal
coherence that would have allowed it to eventually gain popularity. The Church is surely
not what it is today without Constantine. Though many controversies still surround
history we accept that it was a great driving force to not only legalize Christianity in
Rome but to spread it across the world.
VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY
A. Books:
25
Fowden, Garth, Last days of Constantine, (London: Cambridge University Press, 2012), p. 147.
Barnes, Timothy. Constantine and Eusebius. London: Harvard University Press. 1981.
Bowder, Diana. The Age of Constantine and Julian. New York: Barnes & Noble Books. 1987.
Elliott, Thomas Gerorge. The Christianity of Constantine the Great. New York: University of
Scranton Press. 1996.
Eusebius. Translated by Odahl. Vita Constantini. London: Samuel and Sons. 1999.
Fowden, Garth. Last days of Constantine. London: Cambridge University Press. 2012.
Lactantius. Translated by J.L. Creed. De Mortibus Persecutorum. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 1984.
Pohlsander, Hans. The Emperor Constantine. London: Routledge. 2004..
R. Gerberding and J. H. Moran Cruz. Medieval Worlds. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
2004.
Richards, Jeffrey. The Popes and the Papacy in the Early Middle Ages. London: Routledge. 1979.
Tejirian, Eleanor H, and Simon, Reeva Spector. Conflict, Conquest, and Conversion Two Thousand
Years of Christian Missions in the Middle East. New York: Columbia University Press. 2012.
B. INTERNET SOURCES
An influential figure who switched the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday - Opera News,
Accessed May 16, 2023.
Denova, Rebecca. World History Encyclopedia. “Constantine’s Conversion to Christianity”.
Published on May 10, 2021. Constantine’s Conversion to Christianity - World History Encyclopedia.
Accessed on May 17, 2023.
Rattini, Kristin Baird, National Geographic. “Who Was Constantine”. Published 26, 2019.
Constantine—facts and information (nationalgeographic.com). Accessed on May 16, 2023.