what made constantine suppurt christianity?
Constantine began to support Christianity when his life changed. According to Constantine, the Greek letters for the word Christ- chi rho- appeared in the sky above hom. Over these letters were the Latin word- in hoc signo vinces- meaning " In this sign you will conquer."So Constantine ordered his soldiers to paint crosses on their sheilds. The cross was a symbol of Christianity because Jesus had died on the cross for our sins.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_I_and_Christianity
Constantine's support for Christianity can be attributed to several factors:
1. Vision and Conversion: According to Christian traditions, Constantine had a vision before the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 AD, in which he saw a cross of light with the words "In hoc signo vinces" ("In this sign, you will conquer"). Following this vision, Constantine converted to Christianity, considering it a divine message and seeing it as a catalyst for his victory.
2. Political Consolidation: By the time Constantine became the Roman Emperor in 306 AD, the Christian population was growing, and the religion had gained significant followers within the Roman Empire. Constantine realized that supporting Christianity could help him gain popular support and unify his vast and diverse empire.
3. Edict of Milan: In 313 AD, Constantine, along with his co-emperor Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan, which granted official toleration to Christianity and ended the persecution of Christians. This edict allowed Christians to openly practice their faith and restored confiscated Christian properties. By promoting religious freedom, Constantine aimed to create stability and religious harmony in his empire.
4. Political and Theological Motives: Constantine sought to use Christianity as a tool to unify his empire, creating a common ethical and moral framework. As a political leader, Constantine also desired religious stability to support his rule and promote social order. He convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to address the theological disputes within Christianity, aiming to achieve doctrinal consensus and maintain unity.
5. Personal Belief and Christian Influences: Constantine's mother, Helena, was a Christian, which likely influenced his outlook on the religion. Additionally, Constantine himself held a personal belief in the power of Christianity and its God. He saw the Christian God as a deity who had favored him in battle and granted him military victories.
Understanding the reasons behind Constantine's support for Christianity involves analyzing historical accounts, documents, and theological developments during his reign. By examining primary and secondary sources, historians have pieced together a nuanced understanding of Constantine's motivations and actions.