Quote:
Originally Posted by afc wimbledon
Previous emperors blew hot and cold about the church though, the initial persecution was a fairly simple consequence of early christians refusing to make an offering for the emperor, by Constantines time the church was large enough that it was both courted by previous emperors and attacked, Constantines actions were not 'out of the blue' so much as an extension of previous acts of support from his rival and previous claiments to the throne.
All of this has to be seen in the light of an empire in semi constant civil war where gaining factional support was very important.
|
I tend to think that this was more in line with what Constantine was actually attempting to do. We also tend to forget that he most likely did not embrace Christianity to the exclusion of all other religions. Constantine merely assured equal treatment for the church, and it is entirely possible that this occurred by adding Jesus to the Pantheon.