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During much of the early years of Christianity, the fledgling religion was perennially persecuted by the Romans. This was only a few centuries after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was because the Roman Empire saw Christianity as another threat to its control. Mainly in their outer provinces, the Levant and the adjacent regions.
Regardless, being a Christian was not something easy—and could, in some cases, be the cause of one’s death. It is a testament to those first believers and those first converts. They who risked their lives because they so believed in the promise of Christ.
It was only during the 3rd century AD that things began to turn around for the whole of Christianity. This was the period wherein Emperor Constantine I rose to power.
Constantine the Great
As the first Roman emperor to openly profess his faith in Christ, Constantine I changed everything. He remains one of the most profoundly influential figures in Christian history. There may have been another emperor to stand in his place if he hadn’t converted to the faith.
Yet because he did, he changed the trajectory of the Roman Empire. He changed the burgeoning Church and, undoubtedly, the course of the entire world.
Photo by Davi Pimentel
The First Christian Emperor: Humble Beginnings
A son of a Roman army officer, the man who would be known as Constantine was born in the region of Moesia (present-day Serbia) to a mother of lower-class standing. Because of this, much of his upbringing was shaped by the military career of his father. He, too, would rise among the ranks of the Roman legions.
During this period, the Roman Empire was governed by the Tetrarchy system, wherein the empire was divided in two, and each half was ruled over by an augustus and a caesar, essentially a half-emperor and his designated heir. One of the Tetrarchs of this time was Constantius I, father of Constantine I. Under such a fractured system, civil wars were a constant.
In 306 AD, when his father died, Constantine was named augustus by his and his father’s armies. Needless to say, this sparked a series of civil wars against other claimants of the title. Yet, armed with lethal political and military acumen, Constantine I won, becoming the sole emperor of the western half of the Roman Empire.
The First Christian Emperor: Conversion
While it is a verifiable fact that Constantine I was the first Christian emperor, there is some debate as to when and why he converted in the first place. A popular theory among historians is that he was visited by a vision of God, who proclaimed in the sky that he would conquer the empire. There are also those who propose that his Christian roots stemmed from his mother, Helena, who herself is a devout Christian.
Photo by Bruna Finelli
No matter his reasons, the consequences of his conversion became manifest when, as emperor, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD. This imperial mandate essentially granted Christians the freedom to practice their religion, marking a pivotal point in Christian history and ending centuries of unjust persecution.
The First Christian Emperor: The Constantinian Shift
Starting from the Edict of Milan, Christianity underwent a dramatic transformation. From being a minority faith hidden by the punishment of death, it became a dominant force within the Roman Empire. Under Constantine the Great’s patronage, the early Church grew in size and power and eventually became a major institution of the ancient and classical world.
It was also under Constantine that the First Council of Nicaea was convened in 325 AD. This was the first ever of its kind, gathering the most prominent bishops and priests from across the empire and beyond in one place. Here, the council debated amongst each other on theological concerns, both mainstream and controversial. From this council, the Nicene Creed was formulated, a foundational statement of early Christian belief.
A Soldier’s Journey
While there are plenty of things that this article about the first Christian emperor can’t cover everything, there is no doubt that without Constantine I’s influence and presence, Christianity would be a lot different today.
But, if you want another glimpse at the history and plight of Christians but on a more personal level, this historical fiction novel about Ancient Rome by Michael H. Lavery, A Man’s Search for Truth, Lucius: A Soldier’s Journey, takes you on a journey of personal faith and discovery.
Click the link above to order a copy today.
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