GREAT WHITE HEROES Constantine The Great c272/3-337 ....Born Maissus Moesia Superior ( modern day Serbia ) Source Biography on line Constantine was Roman Emperor (A.D. 306-337). He was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. With co-Emperor Licinius he issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed tolerance of all religions throughout the empire. Constantine was born in Naissus, Moesia Superior (modern day Serbia). In 293, the Roman Empire was divided in two by Diocletian, leading to a Western and Eastern Augustus. Constantine received a formal education at Diocletians court where he learnt Latin and Greek and was able to mix with a variety of pagan and Christian scholars. However, the time was also a period of widespread persecution of Christians. In 303, Dioceltian began the great persecution of Christians which led to widespread arrests, executions, and destruction of Church property. Constantine would later claim he opposed those measures, though it is more likely likely he did nothing. In 305, Constantine left the confines of Galerius court and joined his father in Britain, where he made a base in York. On the death of his father, Constantine was declared Augustus, a decision reluctantly accepted by Galerius. There then followed years of turmoil and civil war in which Constantine found himself fighting opponents to Roman rule, but also from within different Roman factions. Constantine was a great military commander winning major victories over the Franks and Alamanni in 306-08, and later against the Visigoths in 332 and the Sarmations in 334. On 28 October 312, the forces of Maxentius met Constantines forces on the river Tyber. Constantines army was outnumbered 2:1. But, legends states that in the night he had a significant dream, where he had a vision of Jesus and was told to use the Christian cross. Constantine made his soldiers go into battle with the Christian cross and he made a promise that if successful in battle he would adopt Christianity. Eusebius, a Christian friend of Constantine describes this moment he saw with his own eyes in the heavens a trophy of the cross arising from the light of the sun, carrying the message, In Hoc Signo Vinces or with this sign, you will conquer In the battle the following morning, Constantine was decisively successful, and he was able to enter Rome on the next day. On entering Rome, Constantine embarked on a lengthy propaganda campaign to legitimise his rule and portray himself as a liberator over the tyrant Maxentius. Constantine was able to consolidate his role, proving his military superiority over his rivals. In 313, he signed with Licinius the edict of Milan. This legalised Christianity and allowed freedom of worship. This edict was often ignored, but it was still an important moment with the principle of tolerating Christianity accepted within the Roman empire. Another critical moment in the history of early Christianity was in 325 when he summoned the Council of Nicaea, The Council of Nicaea led to the Nicene Creed, which was the most important tract in formalising what Christianity actually was. The Nicene creed asserted the view of St Paul that Christ was divine, and made other versions of Christianity, such as gnosticism and arianism as heretical Constantine created a new city at Byzantium Constantinople (later Istanbul) this was to be the new Rome of the East. The city was famous for its beautiful adornments, fountains and sports venues. Constantines Christianity is a matter of conjecture. He didnt profess Christianity until he was over 40. As well as making tribute to Christianity; he continued to pay his respect to the old pagan traditions and sacrifices to Apollo and Hercules. Constantines mother St Helena was much stronger in her profession of Christian faith. It is believe she was able to influence her son in promoting and protecting Christianity - even if she couldnt make him share her faith. In 337, Constantine fell ill and tried to make it back to his capital Constantinople. As he was dying he asked to be baptised by the bishops in the River Jordan...
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 08:29:36 +0000