Western and Eastern Empires Split Quick Check
Which of the following statements best evaluates why Constantine I converted to Christianity during his fight to gain control of the Roman Empire? (1 point)
• Constantine and Licinius, the emperor of the easter half of the Roman Empire, met and announced a decision to let people publicly believe in Christianity without fear of being
persecuted. After that, Constantine thought it was safe to convert.
• Constantine was already a Christian before he began fighting to gain control of the western portion of the empire and only made it public after the fighting started.
• Constantine thought he saw a cross in the sky the night before a big battle and believed this celestial clue helped him win the battle.
• Constantine never became a Christian; he died a pagan.
• Constantine thought he saw a cross in the sky the night before a big battle and believed this celestial clue helped him win the battle.
The statement that best evaluates why Constantine I converted to Christianity during his fight to gain control of the Roman Empire is: Constantine and Licinius, the emperor of the eastern half of the Roman Empire, met and announced a decision to let people publicly believe in Christianity without fear of being persecuted. After that, Constantine thought it was safe to convert.
To determine the correct answer, we need to evaluate the reasons why Constantine I converted to Christianity during his fight to gain control of the Roman Empire.
One way to approach this question is to eliminate the statements that can be proven false or contradicted by historical evidence.
Regarding the first statement, while Constantine and Licinius did issue the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, granting religious toleration to Christians, this does not necessarily imply that Constantine converted to Christianity solely because it was safe to do so. The Edict of Milan allowed for the freedom of religious belief, but it does not explicitly state that Constantine converted at that point. Therefore, we cannot definitively conclude that this statement is true.
The second statement suggests that Constantine was already a Christian before he began fighting for control of the western part of the Roman Empire. However, historical evidence indicates that Constantine's conversion to Christianity took place during his reign, rather than before his rise to power. This statement is therefore false.
Regarding the third statement, there is evidence to support Constantine's reported vision of a cross in the sky before a significant battle, which is known as the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. It is believed that Constantine interpreted this vision as a divine sign and subsequently converted to Christianity. While this celestial event does not directly imply that Constantine converted solely due to this experience, it is a significant factor in his decision. Therefore, this statement represents a valid reason for Constantine's conversion.
The fourth statement claims that Constantine never became a Christian and died as a pagan. This statement is false, as numerous historical accounts confirm Constantine's conversion to Christianity.
Based on the evaluation of the statements, the correct answer is: Constantine thought he saw a cross in the sky the night before a big battle and believed this celestial clue helped him win the battle.