Ancient History, Rome: Biographies

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Constantine the Great

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church | 2000 | | Copyright

Constantine the Great (d. 337), Roman Emperor. The son of the Emp. Constantius Chlorus and St Helena, he was proclaimed Emperor at York in 306, and became senior ruler of the Empire after the battle of the Milvian Bridge (312). Following instructions received (according to Lactantius) in a dream, Constantine had fought under the sign of the Cross; he attributed his victory to the Christian God and soon afterwards toleration and imperial favour were given to Christianity.

Constantine's policy was to unite the Church and State by the closest possible ties. In 313 the Donatists appealed to him to settle their controversy with the Church in Africa. He heard the case himself in 316 and gave judgement against the Donatists. When rioting followed, he reinforced his verdict with repressive measures, but was unable to end the schism. A similar appeal from the contending parties led him to summon the Council of Nicaea (325) to settle the Arian dispute.

After his victory at Chrysopolis (324) had made him sole Emperor, Constantine fixed his capital at Byzantium (rebuilt and inaugurated as ‘Constantinople’ in 330). He had to deal cautiously with paganism, which remained influential among his subjects, but his commitment to Christianity is clear in his policy and legislation, even though he was not baptized until just before his death (deferment of Baptism was then common). In 321 he ordered that Sunday should be a public holiday, and he liberally endowed Christian church building, especially in Palestine, Rome, and Constantinople. Legend has added much to history, including among its embellishments the ‘Donation of Constantine’. In the E. he is venerated as a saint; feast day (with St Helena), 21 May.

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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Constantine the Great." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Constantine the Great." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-ConstantinetheGreat.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Constantine the Great." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-ConstantinetheGreat.html

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