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  • Constantine the Great was baptized, May 22 337


    Beatriz Camino
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    Constantine the Great was baptized, May 22 337

    Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great (27 Feb 272 – 22 May 337), ascended to the throne of the Roman Empire in 306 and reigned until 337. He was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity and played a significant role in shaping the destiny of this religion, transforming it from a persecuted and marginalized faith to an influential force within the Empire.

    Christianity before Constantine

    Prior to the reign of Constantine the Great, Christianity endured relentless persecution and marginalization within the Roman Empire. According to historians, the first official persecution of Christians by the Roman authorities can be traced back to 64 AD, when Emperor Nero attempted to blame them for the Great Fire of Rome. Moreover, according to Church tradition, it was during his reign that the apostles Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome.

    Over the span of two and a half centuries, Christians suffered from sporadic and localized persecutions that sought to suppress their faith. However, the most extensive and systematic campaign of persecution was initiated by Diocletian in 303 AD. During the infamous Great Persecution, Christian buildings and homes were demolished, and their sacred texts were confiscated and burned. Christians were arrested, tortured, mutilated, burned, and condemned to gladiatorial contests. The Great Persecution persisted until April 311, when Galerius, the senior emperor of the Tetrarchy, joined forces with Constantine, who held the position of Caesar in the Western Empire, and Licinius, Caesar in the East. Together, they issued an edict of toleration that granted Christians the right to freely practice their religion.

    Constantine and Christianity

    One of the most significant turning points in Christian history occurred when Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. Even though the exact details of this conversion remain somewhat shrouded in mystery and subject to historical interpretation, it is speculated that his mother, Helena, played a role in exposing him to the Christian faith. Nevertheless, Constantine only declared himself a Christian after issuing the Edict of Milan in 313 AD.

    Amidst the tumultuous Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy that raged from 306 to 324, Constantine experienced a series of remarkable events that would shape his religious and political trajectory. On the eve of the decisive Battle of the Milvian Bridge on 28 October 312, he had a vision in which he saw a cross of light in the sky accompanied by the words, "In this sign, you shall conquer." Interpreting this as a divine message, Constantine adopted the Christian symbol, the Chi-Rho, and ordered his soldiers to paint it on their shields. Following the battle and the defeat of his rival Maxentius, Constantine became the undisputed emperor in the West.

    The accession of Constantine had far-reaching consequences for early Christianity, as he took over the role of patron of the Christian faith. He supported the Church financially, had several basilicas built, granted privileges to clergy, promoted Christians to high-ranking offices, and returned property confiscated during the Great Persecution of Diocletian. In 313, he and Licinius issued the Edict of Milan, granting religious freedom to all religions, including Christianity. This edict marked a significant departure from previous Roman policies and laid the groundwork for Christianity's eventual rise to prominence in the Empire.

    Between 324 and 330, Constantine built a new city, New Rome, at Byzantium, which would be named Constantinople in his honour. Unlike "old" Rome, the city began to employ overtly Christian architecture, contained churches within the city walls, and had no pre-existing temples from other religions. Constantine's conversion to Christianity culminated in his baptism, which is believed to have occurred sometime around 337, shortly before his death.

    Constantine's Legacy

    Constantine's embrace of Christianity had profound implications for both the religion and the Roman Empire. His reign set a precedent for the role of the Christian emperor, establishing a sense of responsibility for the spiritual well-being of his subjects. Subsequent emperors saw it as their duty to assist the Church in defining and upholding orthodoxy.

    Another notable outcome was the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, convened by Constantine himself. This ecumenical council was the first major attempt by Christians to define orthodoxy for the whole Church by addressing theological disputes within the religion, particularly the Arian controversy. The council produced the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ and became a foundational statement of Christian belief.

    While some modern scholars debate his beliefs and his comprehension of Christianity, there is a consensus that he did much for pushing Christianity towards the mainstream of Roman culture. In the long term, his influence initiated a process of Christianization throughout the Empire, paving the way for Christianity to ultimately become the state religion of the Roman Empire.

     

    Roman Empire CONSTANTINE I THE GREAT Argenteus 306-307 AD VIRTVS MILITVM / RT Mint of Rome SILVER 62/70 VERY RARE (RIC 154/R) ancient Roman Imperial coins for saleCONSTANTINE I THE GREAT (307/10-337). Rome, Extremely Rare with no example online.Divus Constantine I The Great AETERNA PIETAS Globe & Spear Extremely Rare gVF

    Constantine I The Great Fully Silvered Follis Sol Arles RIC 57 nEFConstantine I (307/310-337). Æ Follis - Rome - R/ Pax - VERY RAREConstantine I (307/310-337). Æ Medallion (28mm, 20.25g). Struck on the occasion of the foundation of Constantinople 327/8. CONSTANTI-NOPOLIS Helmeted and draped bust Constantinople

     

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