DIOCLETIAN & CONSTANTINE CHRISTIANITY & THE EMPIRE The Tumultuous Third Century • AD 69–192 9 emperors averaged >13 yrs – 7 died naturally 2 from violence • 192–284 2 died naturally, 55 violently • 192–235 9 emperors averaged <5 yrs • 235–284 – 29 ruled averaged 1.6 years – 19 usurpers new emperor declared every year 1 Early Christianity • Apostolic Church: Sect of Judaism – Led by surviving apostles and family members – Maintained many of the beliefs, traditions and scripture of the Jews • Differences split from Judaism – AD 50: Council of Jerusalem, – Work of St Paul Issues for the Early Church • PERSECUTIONS • SECRECY • PROSLETYZING • ORGANIZATION into bishoprics • ORTHODOXY & HERESY – Huge number of different beliefs. e.g. Manichaeism, Arianism 2 DIOCLETIAN • b. 244, reigned 284–305, d. 311 • TETRARCHY – Augustus of the East and of the West – Caesar of the East and of the West 3 Diocletian’s Achievements • Stabilized the empire – Peace with Persia • Reformed: – administration – legal system – tax system • Retired 4 But… AUTOCRATIC RULE: • Living god – Elaborate ceremony – Abasement – Crown and purple • Demanded absolute loyalty CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION • AD 299: Early persecutions • AD 303: “Great Persecution” • “Edict against the Christians”: – Destruction of houses of worship – Destruction of texts – Banned group worship – Arrest of bishops and leaders 5 Consequences • Deaths: ~ 3000–3500 – Martyrs: Marcellinus, St. Sebastian – many more imprisoned & tortured • Church survived – Power of faith – Examples of martyrs The End of Persecution • Edict of Tolerance – AD 311 – Issued by the Tetrarchy – Admitted failure of the persecution – Decriminalized Christianity 6 The End of the Tetrarchy • 305 Diocletian and co-Augustus retire – Caesars succeed them • 306 Constantius I Chlorus dies – Three claimants to be Augustus, inc. Constantine, son of Constantius • 309 “solution” adds a claimant, Licinius • 309–313 CIVIL WAR: 6 men, 1 Empire 7 The Battle of Milvian Bridge • Constantine vs. Maxentius • AD 312 • Constantine’s “Vision” – “In this sign, you shall conquer.” – But only accounts come from Christians • Constantine wins ⇒ Emperor of the West 8 Constantine as Co-Emperor • Licinius: Emperor of the East • Allies through marriage • Together enact Edict of Milan • AD 324 – Constantine defeats Licinius – Constantine becomes Emperor of the entire Roman world THIS IS A TURNING POINT FOR CHRISTIANITY AND FOR ROME THE EDICT OF MILAN • AD 313 • Issued by Constantine and Licinius • Legalized Christianity and all other religions • Restored property to Christians • Removed references to any specific god from all official documents – Only references to “Divinity” or “Supreme Divinity” 9 A CHRISTIAN EMPEROR • Appointed Christians to high office • Funded the Church • Granted freedom from taxes to clergy • Presided over Council of Nicaea, 326 10 COUNCIL OF NICAEA • Convened by Constantine in AD 325 • First ECUMENICAL COUNCIL – ca. 300 bishops • Decided ORTHODOXY – Nicene Creed – Decided Canons (laws) of the Church – Condemned ARIANISM as heresy 11 COUNCIL OF NICAEA: FIRST TIME THAT CHRISTIAN LEADERS FROM AROUND CHRISTENDOM GATHERED IN AN ASSEMBLY TO DECIDE DOCTRINAL ORTHODOXY AND CHURCH CANONS The reign of Constantine saw the influence of the POLITICAL (the Emperor) on the SPIRITUAL (the Church) for the first time in the Christian Church 12 NOVA ROMA • Moved capital to Byzantium – Renamed “New Rome” – Renamed Constantinople after his death • Secured borders • Reformed laws • Appointed competent men • Maintained East/West divisions 13.