I.The
Rise of Constantine (306-337)
A. The situation in 306:Tetrarchs = Constantius
(Wern Augustus); Severus (Wern Caesar); Galerius (Eern Augustus); Maximin
Daia (Eern Caesar)
-Death of Constantius (306) = Proclamation of Constantine
-Usurpation 306 (with help of Maximian Herculius,
his father)
-Council of Carnuntum (308): Maximian must resign, Maxentius = public enemy, Licinius proclaimed Augustus
-Invention ofa Dynasty: Constantine’s “connection” to
Claudius Gothicus
C. Battle of the Milvian
Bridge (312)
-"In this sign you will conquer" = Chi-Rho (labarum)
-A Christian Capital?:Colossal
Statue; Churches (Basilicas):St.
Peter’s and Lateran; Arch
of Constantine
II.
Constantine and Licinius
A. Territorial Sparing:Licinius and Maximin
Daia (313)
B. Battle of Chrysopolis (324):Constantine
defeats Licinius; rules alone
III.Administrative
Reforms
A. A New Rome?: Constantinople dedicated May 11, 330; built from pagan spoils
B. Army:Comitatenses (accompanying troops)
= imperial army of mobile units of c. 1,000; barbarians
C. Currency:Solidus (gold) = 1/72nd lb.
IV.
Constantine and Christianity
A. Toleration: Galerius’ Edict of Toleration (311); Conference of Milan (313)
B. Council of Nicaea (325): Arius and Arianism
(nature of Christ = same with God (homoousios)?
C. Benefits: Bishops as judges; tax exemption for clergy; “Donations of Constantine”;
church building (Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem)
D.Death in 337: Planned Persian expedition (Christian
motivation? "Bishop of those outside")
V.
A Christian Empire
A. Constantine the Pagan:Arch with Sol
Invictus; The Porphyry Column
and its statue of Unconquerable Sun
B. Constantine and Paganism:Pontifex Maximus;
Hispellum insc. (LR 174)
C.Conversion: Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus (Urban
prefect)
D. Waning of Paganism:
Ambrose halts Symmachus and the “Altar of Victory” in 384; the Battle
of the Frigidus (394)
