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 never became a Christian; he died a pagan.
Constantine and Licinius, the emperor of the eastern half of the Roman Empire, met and announced a decision to let people
publicly believe in Chnstianity without fear of being persecuted. After that, Constantine thought it was safe to convert
Constantine thought he saw a cross in the sky the night before a big battle and belleved this celestial clue helped him win
the battie
Constantine was already a Christian before he began fighting to gain control of the westem portion of the empire and only
made it public after the fighting started.
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The correct statement 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.
The statement that best evaluates why Constantine I converted to Christianity during his fight to gain control of the Roman Empire 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.
To evaluate why Constantine I converted to Christianity during his fight to gain control of the Roman Empire, we need to analyze the given statements and find the one that aligns with historical evidence.
1. "Constantine never became a Christian; he died a pagan." This statement is not accurate as historical records show that Constantine did convert to Christianity.
2. "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." This statement is partially correct. Licinius did issue an edict of toleration that ended the persecution of Christians in the Eastern Roman Empire, but it does not explain why Constantine converted personally.
3. "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." This statement refers to the event known as the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE. According to historical accounts, Constantine claimed to have had a vision of a cross in the sky before the battle, accompanied by the words "in hoc signo vinces" (in this sign, you will conquer). Constantine interpreted this as a sign from the Christian God and attributed his victory to the divine intervention. This event played a significant role in his conversion to Christianity.
4. "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." This statement does not align with historical evidence. Constantine's conversion to Christianity occurred around the time of the Battle of Milvian Bridge, as mentioned in the previous statement.
Based on the historical accounts, the most accurate statement 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. This event played a significant role in Constantine's conversion to Christianity.