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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
In 312, the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. Or did he? This 11 page paper evaluates several sources to see what they say about his alleged conversion, and argues that there is simply no way to tell whether or not the conversion was a genuine religious experience, or politically expedient. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Page Count:
11 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_HVEvlCon.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
he actions can just as easily be seen as those of a consummate politician and war leader who declared his allegiance to the new religion because it was expedient. This
paper discusses some of the sources that describe his conversation, and whether or not they seem unbiased or slanted. Discussion We begin with "The Conflict of Religions," which tells us
something extraordinary: under the "Edict of Milan," Constantine decided that it would be in the interest of public safety and security if he granted "to the Christians and to all
men unrestricted right to follow the form of worship each desired" ("The Conflict of Religions" 603). The emperor mandates that under this policy, "no one whatsoever should be defined freedom
to devote himself either to the cult of the Christians or to such religion as he deems best suited for himself" ("The Conflict or Religions" 603). This edict was dispatched
to the Roman governors of all the Eastern provinces, telling them in no uncertain terms that everyone would enjoy "free and untrammeled freedom in their religion or cult" ("The Conflict
of Religions" 603). Constantine may have done this in order to keep Rome in a position of neutrality with regard to religion, but there is also the possibility that his
refusal to do away with pagan practices entirely is because of his own adherence to them. This impression grows stronger the more one reads; in the section entitled "Constantine and
Emperor Worship" it is revealed that "Constantine prohibited all forms of worship of himself" ("The Conflict of Religions" 608). However, he didnt take any measures to enforce the prohibition, with
the result that people did worship him. Far from dismaying him or making him uncomfortable, the "unwelcome" devotion led him to grant a petition that a temple be built to
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