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I started watching a lecture series on the Early Middle Ages and the lecturer presented a few political theories of Constantine's conversion to Christianity that historians have advanced which could explain why he converted. I have summarized/paraphrased them here:1) He figured Christians would be very loyal to him since they were essentially at the bottom of the social strata and had been greatly persecuted by imperial decree (especially under Constantine's predecessor, Diocletian). Converting to Christianity would therefore give him a solid base of supporters.2) Since a hierarchy of bishops, churches, etc. were already established in the empire, he thought that he could exert control over this by converting. It would therefore have strengthened his governance.3) No political theory suffices. Christians were still rather sparse in the Western half of the empire, the higher ruling classes were pagan and not Christian, and many Christians living were women, slaves, and freed slaves (basically those at the bottom of society). It would not have made political sense for Constantine to convert.Are any of these convincing? Are there other political theories you can think of?
Yeah, I agree. It's probably too much of a stretch to think otherwise. The only other potential explanation I might find somewhat plausible is that Constantine noticed Christians were basically offering themselves to be martyred by Roman authorities, and if that kind of resoluteness was part of the Christian spirit then they would make for the most excellent of citizens. But then again their low numbers would have made it too great of a stretch to want to adopt the religion for the entire population. I'm trying to look for an analogy, and it might be akin to President Bush converting to Islam in order to give him a new "authority" in the War on Terror....
I kind of like #1 but #3 does sound most plausible. #1 sounds the best in today's cynical climate. I am not sure politicians were so cynical back then although they were certainly calculating.
I believe Constantine thought he saw a vision and interpreted it to mean the new Christian religion. Politically he would use such a story to legitmize his actions as having divine origins…you have to remember that in the Classical World, everything was believed to be a result of omens and signs. People looked to anything and everything for a portent or sign of what their next action should be. Constantine was subject to the same beliefs, and also was shrewd enough to employ these tactics to build support for his cause. Still he took a very large risk in choosing Christianity since it was still a relatively weak religion at the time…but Constantine was competing against others for the throne so he had to differentiate himself from them in some astounding way. Very good topic here Phid.
Was he emperor during the Council of Nicaea? If so, I might say that #2 is quite plausable as well. My textbook says says Constantine “received counsel from Pope Miltiades and Ossius of Cordoba, a wealthy Christian.” Don't know who they were, but apparently they had some major influence in the Empire, at least in the Iberian peninsula.scout, IMHO, they were ALL incredibly cynical!
I'd like to add that if the assimilated Viking lines were converted, in Asia, than Constantine would have been aligning himself with the old world version of “Good Fellas,” #2.ooh, did I say Vikings? I think I meant Barbarians! ;D
Was he emperor during the Council of Nicaea? If so, I might say that #2 is quite plausable as well. My textbook says says Constantine "received counsel from Pope Miltiades and Ossius of Cordoba, a wealthy Christian." Don't know who they were, but apparently they had some major influence in the Empire, at least in the Iberian peninsula.
Yes, I believe that Constantine actually made the final decision at the Council of Nicaea. However, this came in 325 A.D., and the Edict of Milan was in 313 A.D....so the openness to Christianity was already in place many years before the Council convened.
I'd like to add that if the assimilated Viking lines were converted, in Asia, than Constantine would have been aligning himself with the old world version of "Good Fellas," #2.ooh, did I say Vikings? I think I meant Barbarians! ;D
I don't know that the barbarians would have come into play in regard to such a decision at that time in the early 4th century. The Visigoths became a thorn in the side of the Empire around 375 A.D., and I don't think that there were attempts to convert them during Constantine's reign. If memory serves me correctly, they were required to convert as part of the deal that allowed them to cross the Danube when they needed protection from the Huns to the East.
