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Doctrine

Council of Nicaea

There was debates over the interpretation of the Christian Faith. The Trinity was an area of discussion. The council established an orthodoxy within the Christian faith, but standardizing the view of the Trinity and other elements of the Christian faith.

The doctrine of the church was under great controversy throughout the 4th Century. As prior to Constantine there was no definite doctrine for Christianity. Therefore different regions and sectors had different interpretations.

2 schools of debate:

Arianism

Nestorianism

Constantine

Conversion of Constantine

Society

Constantine began the conversion of the Empire towards Christianity. His mother Helena, played a major role in the conversion, due to being a devout christian herself. Constantine ensured the tolerance of the Christian faith and also helped fund the building of Churches and statues. With his influence he helped the growth of a Christian ruling class. His rule has been dubbed as the victory of the Christians. However, Pagan traditions were still prominent during this period. Also, Constantine kept many pagan rituals in his rule.

Within Society, Christianity was arguably among the lower classes and slaves. However, the Women in society were largely involved in the faith across the sectors. The Men were usually pagan.

Constantine Basilica

Theodosius I

Ruled 379-395

Julian

Reign: 361-363

Theodosius is the last emperors to rule both Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire together. Under his leadership, he decreed that all citizens has to be Christian. He replaced the state religion with the orthodoxy religion established in Nicaea in 325. Thus, he condemned heretics and forcibly removed them from government and society. He tolerated pagans at first, but then he began to oppress the practice of Pagan Rituals.

Conclusion

He was the last of the Constantine Dynasty and the last non-christian emperor of the Roman Empire. After consecutive Christian Emperors, Julian brought back the ways of the old Empire into his reign. He revived Pagan rituals and rejected the Christian faith. However, he encouraged and endorsed the tolerance of religion and allowed freedom of religion. His aim was to undermine Christianity rather than persecute them.

Persecution

  • The persecution of the Christians at the start of the Century did not suggest a golden age
  • However, the Emperors were overall christian
  • Time of great debate over orthodoxy
  • Tolerance of Christians was encouraged
  • Century Ended with Christianity as state religion.

The christians being fed to the lions

The Christians were largely used as scapegoats. In 303-311, Diocletian and Galerius started a purge of the palace. The Christians were dubbed the reason for a failed sacrifice and this promoted to numerous edicts to purge the courts and army of Christians.

Edict of Milan 313

We thought it fit to commend these things most fully to your care that you may know that we have given to those Christians free and unrestricted opportunity of religious worship.When you see that this has been granted to them by us, your Worship will know that we have also conceded to other religions the right of open and free observance of their worship for the sake of the peace of our times, that each one may have the free opportunity to worship as he pleases; this regulation is made that we may not seem to detract from any dignity or any religion.

St.George before Diocletian

- The terms of the Edict Of Milan

Was the 4th Century a 'Golden Age' for Christianity?

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