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==Introduction==[[File:Constantine's conversion.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|The Conversion of Constantine by Reubens]]__NOTOC__One of the most important figures in the ancient world was the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. He set the stage for Christianity to become the official state religion of the Roman Empire and in doing so he not only changed that Empire but also world history. This research will discuss the evidence for Constantine's "conversion" to Christianity and identify when he can be called an actual Christian. It will focus on Constantine's alleged conversion before the t Battle of the Milvian Bridge in October, 312 AD. There are many who have argued that Constantine did not really convert to Christianity at the time. There are those who doubt if Constantine did actually convert and that his beliefs were not those of an orthodox Christian until much later in life. The work will assert that Constantine did not have a conversion experience before the Milvian Bridge, as shown in the Christian sources and that he took many years to become a Christian. [[File:Constantine's conversion.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The Conversion of Constantine by Reubens]]

==Background==After the Third Century Crisis, the Roman Empire had been stabilized by a series of Illyrian Emperors. There are many who have argued that Constantine did not really convert to Christianity at this time had been growing more popular especially in the urban areas of the Empire, despite periodic bouts of persecution. At the time of Constantine’s birth, the empire was experiencing something of a revival under the system known as the Tetrarchy established by Diocletian. During this emperor’s reign, there was a prolonged persecution of the Christians. The Tetrarchy involved several co-Emperor’s cooperating in the administration of the far-flung Empire and in the defence of its long borders </ref> Cameron, A. The later Roman Empire, AD 284-430 (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. 1993), p 56</ref>. This system after the death of Diocletian’s main heir, Galerius, collapsed. The co-emperors There are those who had under the Diocletian system worked together, now fought each other for supreme power doubt if Constantine did actually convert and there was a civil war throughout the Empire. Constantine’s father had been one of the co-emperors. He had succeeded that his father and was the de-facto ruler beliefs were not those of an orthodox Christian until much of western Europe. When Maxentius deposed the co-emperor later in Italy, Constantine saw an opportunity to gain new territorieslife. The Christian bishop Eusebius of Caesarea claimed work will assert that Constantine wanted to save Rome from did not have a tyranny <ref> Eusebius, xviiii</ref>. Constantine had advanced quickly from his base in France but his army was significantly smaller than his enemy’s. He approached Rome and camped his army conversion experience before the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD<ref>Cameron, p 113</ref>. Then according to Christian accounts, he had a dream or vision. The traditional account states that Constantine saw a Christian emblem as shown in the sky. He saw this as a portent and this that led him to order his legionnaires to mark their shields with the Christian sign, the Chi Rho, similar to a cross. Lacentius relates how According to the Roman writer Lacentius Constantine ‘had marked on their shields the letter Χ, with a perpendicular line drawn through it sources and turned round thus at the top, being the cipher of CHRIST. <ref> Lactantius, De Mortibus Persecutorum Chapter XLIV </ref>. Many have seen this as proof that Constantine converted to Christianity before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Their argument is that after his vision that Constantine became totally committed to Christianity. The next day the army of Constantine inflicted a great defeat on Maxentius and he marched into Rome, the first Christian emperor <ref> Lactantius. X,IV</ref>. Later he defeated the ruler of the Eastern Empire and once more unified the Roman provinces under a single emperor. Constantine was a very effective ruler, he reformed the administration and rebuilt took many cities, but he was an autocrat. He brought stability years to the Roman empire after the civil wars and established become a dynasty. Constantine also built the city of Constantinople (later Byzantium) and in doing so he laid the foundations for the medieval Byzantine Empire. His most important legacy was that he ended the persecution of Christians and legalized Christianity <ref> Cameron, p 114</ref>Christian.

==Did Constantine Become a Christian?=Background===Many such as After the Third Century Crisis, the Christian writer Eusebius argued that Constantine’s order that his troops put Roman Empire had been stabilized by a Christian symbol on their shields was proof his conversion before the Battle series of the Milvian Bridge Illyrian Emperors. Christianity at this time had been growing more popular especially in 312 AD. However, it was usual for a leader to seek the support urban areas of a God. In the polytheism, prevalent in the Roman Empire, people would simply offer sacrificSe and thanks to despite periodic bouts of persecution. At the deity that they believed would be most likely to help them. time of Constantine’s instructions for his soldiers could be interpreted as merely seeking birth, the support empire was experiencing something of a revival under the Christian God and not system known as a sign of his conversion to Christianitythe Tetrarchy established by Diocletian. LacentiusDuring this emperor’s reign, a contemporary writer argued that because Constantine ordered his soldiers to display a Christian symbol <ref> Lacentius XIV</ref>, it did not mean that he had converted. Adopting a Christian symbol there was a remarkable action, given that the Roman elite scorned that religion and that most prolonged persecution of the population was pagan. However, Constantine had appeared to sympathize with the Christians during the persecution of Diocletian in particular. The Christian community Tetrarchy involved several co-Emperor’s cooperating in the west had been generally spared the worst effects administration of the persecution. There is a longfar-standing argument flung Empire and in the secondary literature that Constantine ‘conversion’ before the Milvian Bridge was a strategy to secure Christian support and to unify the empiredefence of its long borders. However, this is unlikely given the relative strengths of Christianity and paganism in the Empire <ref> RothCameron, J. (2013)A. Constantine revisited (London, Wipf & Stock Pub, 2015), p. 67 </refi> Paganism was not in any way in decline in the Empire during Constantine’s reign. In this context, Constantine’s alleged conversion would have been remarkable, especially given his ambition to unify the The later Roman Empire. The army was still largely pagan, and every Emperor depended on for his authority and even his life, on the soldiers' loyalty AD 284-430<ref/i> Cameron(Cambridge, pMass. 104</ref>: Harvard University Press. Then there was the Roman and Provincial nobility, who were still pagan, and every Roman Emperor needed their cooperation to control the Empire <ref>Cameron1993), p. 10256</ref>. The fact that Constantine did order his legionaries to display a Christian symbol in battle is significant in This system after the development death of his religious beliefs. Because such a move was politically riskyDiocletian’s main heir, Galerius, in the context of the times when so many were pagancollapsed. This would suggest that Constantine did have some religious experience before The co-emperors who had under the Milivian BridgeDiocletian system worked together, even if it now fought each other for supreme power and there was not an outright conversion. Constantine’s experience in 312 AD, cannot be regarded as a conversion because it was not followed by his baptism and civil war throughout the public profession of that religion. In the 4th century, AD baptism was the final and public proof of conversionEmpire.

==Constantine Constantine’s father had been one of the co-emperors. He had succeeded his father and was the Church==If Constantine did have a conversion experience before de-facto ruler of much of western Europe. When Maxentius deposed the Milvian Bridge then he would have championed the Church co-emperor in the years after itItaly, Constantine saw an opportunity to gain new territories. The relationship of Christian bishop Eusebius of Caesarea claimed that Constantine wanted to the Church is essential if we are to understand if he had save Rome from a genuine conversion experience in 312 ADtyranny. He began immediately to favor the Christians after <ref> Eusebius, xviiii</ref> Constantine had advanced quickly from his base in France but his army was significantly smaller than his victory over Maxentiusenemy’s. In 313 AD he reached an agreement with He approached Rome and camped his army before the Emperor Milvian Bridge in the Licinius312 AD.<ref>Cameron, that ended the persecution in the eastern half of the Empire<p 113</ref> DrakeThen according to Christian accounts, H.Ahe had a dream or vision., "The Impact of traditional account states that Constantine on Christianity", saw a Christian emblem in Lenski, N (edthe sky.), The Cambridge Companion He saw this as a portent and this that led him to order his legionnaires to mark their shields with the Age of ConstantineChristian sign, Cambridgethe Chi Rho, 2006: 111-136 </ref> similar to a cross. Lacentius relates how According to the Roman writer Lacentius Constantine‘had marked on their shields the letter Χ, after 312 AD began to favor the Christian clergy and he began with a large scale Church building program in Rome perpendicular line drawn through it and elsewhere in his empireturned round thus at the top, being the cipher of CHRIST. He built Basilicas and churches<ref> Lactantius, especially in Rome. De Mortibus Persecutorum Chapter XLIV </ref>  Many have seen this as proof that Constantine promoted many Christians converted to important positions in Christianity before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Their argument is that after his vision that Constantine became totally committed to Christianity. The next day the army of Constantine inflicted a great defeat on Maxentius and they were very influential at his court as advisors he marched into Rome, the first Christian emperor.<ref>DrakeLactantius. X, 2006, p. 121IV</ref>. These could be interpreted as Later he defeated the actions ruler of the Eastern Empire and once more unified the Roman provinces under a new convert, who was eager to demonstrate his faithsingle emperor. However, there was much about Constantine that was not Christian a very effective ruler, he reformed the administration and rebuilt many cities, but he was noticeably war-like, while most Christians at the time were pacifistsan autocrat. The Church was elevated He brought stability to a position of influence but it was clearly under the control of Roman empire after the civil wars and established a dynasty. Constantine. This favoritism towards also built the Christian Church did not lead to any conspiracies or revolts city of Constantinople (later Byzantium) and there is little evidence of any resentment from in doing so he laid the foundations for the pagan majoritymedieval Byzantine Empire. Constantine His most important legacy was careful not to offend that he ended the significant pagan population in the Empirepersecution of Christians and legalized Christianity. In fact<ref> Cameron, at one stage p 114</ref> ===Did Constantine Become a Christian?===Many such as the Emperor seemed to favor the worship of the Sun. This period has been glossed over by Christian writers or conveniently ignored <ref> Cameron, p 115</ref>writer Eusebius argued that Constantine’s order that his troops put a Christian symbol on their shields was proof his conversion before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. Constantine’s policies and legislation were not explicitly Christian and he did not make However, it the official religionwas usual for a leader to seek the support of a God. These show In the polytheism, prevalent in the Roman Empire, people would simply offer sacrificSe and thanks to the deity that while he was very much influenced by Christianity that he was in no way an orthodox Christian Emperor, they believed would be most likely to help them. Constantine’s instructions for his soldiers could be interpreted as shown in merely seeking the support of the Christian sourcesGod and not as a sign of his conversion to Christianity. [[File: Lacentius, a contemporary writer argued that because Constantine Chiaramonti Inv1749.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A bust of Constantine]]==Constantine and Church Unity==The Church in Constantine’s time was very dividedordered his soldiers to display a Christian symbol,<ref> Lacentius XIV</ref> it did not mean that he had converted. It Adopting a Christian symbol was divided on theological issues a remarkable action, given that the Roman elite scorned that religion and these had led to schisms in that most of the Christian communitypopulation was pagan.  However, Constantine was had appeared to prove to be very interested sympathize with the Christians during the persecution of Diocletian in particular. The Christian community in the unity west had been generally spared the worst effects of the Church after 312 ADpersecution. He held There is a series of Councils long-standing argument in the secondary literature that Constantine ‘conversion’ before the Milvian Bridge was a strategy to be very important in secure Christian support and to unify the development of the Church and its doctrinesempire. At these Constantine attempted to persuade the Bishops to come to an agreement on theological matters such as the nature However, this is unlikely given the relative strengths of Christ, which was at Christianity and paganism in the heart of the Arian controversy. He attempted to ensure that there were no breakaway Churches and he prevented the formation of independent Christians churches </Empire.<ref> EusebiusRoth, VIJ. (2013). <i>Constantine revisited</i> (London, Wipf & Stock Pub, 2015), p. 67 </ref>. Constantine constantly attempted to achieve unity  Paganism was not in any way in decline in the Church and one that had a set of beliefs founded on the scripturesEmpire during Constantine’s reign. These efforts In this context, Constantine’s alleged conversion would indicate that he had have been genuinely converted at remarkable, especially given his ambition to unify the Milvian Bridge in 312 ADRoman Empire. Constantine The army was an autocratic ruler still largely pagan, and he attempted to impose order every Emperor depended on every aspect of Roman for his authority and even his life, as indicated by his administrative reforms on the soldiers' loyalty.<ref> Cameron, p 112. 104</ref>. The Christian Church Then there was a very important part of the life of people in Roman and Provincial nobility, who were still pagan, and every Roman Emperor needed their cooperation to control the Roman Empire. Its theological disputes could potentially destabilize the Empire <<ref> RappCameron, Cp., "Imperial Ideology in the Making: Eusebius 102</ref> The fact that Constantine did order his legionaries to display a Christian symbol in battle is significant in the development of Caesarea on Constantine as Bishop"his religious beliefs. Because such a move was politically risky, Journal of Theological Studies, 49 (1998): 684-95</ref>. Eusebius portrays Egypt as ungovernable because in the context of the theological controversies that times when so many were dividing pagan. This would suggest that Constantine did have some religious experience before the church in that province <ref> EusebiusMilivian Bridge, IV</ref>even if it was not an outright conversion. According to Eusebius Constantine’s experience in every city ‘bishops were engaged in obstinate conflict with bishops312 AD, and people rising against people’ <ref> Eusebiuscannot be regarded as a conversion because it was not followed by his baptism and the public profession of that religion. In the 4th century, Vita Constantini. Vi </ref>AD baptism was the final and public proof of conversion. The deep interest that  ===Constantine had in the unity of and the Christian Church cannot be construed as indicating that he was a full professed Christian. ===[[File: Constantine multiple CdM Beistegui 233Chiaramonti Inv1749.jpgFile.pngjpg|200px300px|thumbthumbnail|left|A gold coin bust of Constantine]]==If Constantine and Conversion== To understand if Constantine did have did have a conversion experience at the time of the Battle of before the Milvian Bridge there needs to be an understanding of what conversion meant at then he would have championed the Church in the time <ref> Rapp, p. 65</ref>years after it. The relationship of Constantine was not technically to the Church is essential if we are to understand if he had a Christian after genuine conversion experience in 312 AD, or for many years afterward, because he had not been baptized and was therefore not a full member of . He began immediately to favor the ChurchChristians after his victory over Maxentius. However In 313 AD he reached an agreement with the Emperor in the Licinius, that ended the conversion process could be gradual persecution in the eastern half of the Empire.<ref> ElliotDrake, Thomas GH.A., '"The Impact of Constantine's Conversion; do we really need it?' Phoenix 41 (1987on Christianity", in Lenski, N (ed.), 420-438 <i>The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine</refi> . Constantine only seems to have slowly accepted Christian doctrine. Before this, he probably still had some lingering faith in some of the pagan deitiesCambridge, especially the sun2006: 111-god, whose worship was very popular <136 </ref> Elliot, p. 430 <dh-ad/ref>.  Constantine was not suddenly converted , after 312 AD began to Christianity before favor the Milvian Bridge, but that episode was very important Christian clergy and he began a large scale Church building program in Rome and elsewhere in his growing attachment to the Church empire. He built Basilicas and its doctrineschurches, especially in Rome. The growing relationship between Constantine and the Christian Church would indicate promoted many Christians to important positions in his army and they were very influential at his growing commitment to Christianitycourt as advisors <ref>Drake, 2006, but that is was a long-drawn out processp. 121</ref> Smith, M.D.These could be interpreted as the actions of a new convert, "The Religion of Constantius I"who was eager to demonstrate his faith. However, Greek, Roman there was much about Constantine that was not Christian and Byzantine Studies 38 (1997): 187he was noticeably war-209</ref>like, while most Christians at the time were pacifists. The ‘vision’ before the Milvian Bridge, that prompted him Church was elevated to order his soldiers to enter battle with a Christian sign position of influence but it was crucial in his early religious developmentclearly under the control of Constantine. It seems that Constantine’s conversion was almost a life-long process  This favoritism towards the Christian Church did not lead to any conspiracies or revolts and he there is little evidence of any resentment from the pagan majority. Constantine was careful not a true Christian in 312 AD or for many years afterto offend the significant pagan population in the Empire. Indeed he was probably an old man before he was a true In fact, at one stage the Emperor seemed to favor the worship of the Sun. This period has been glossed over by Christianwriters or conveniently ignored. He only accepted baptism on his deathbed and perhaps only then could he be considered a Christian <ref<ref> SmithCameron, p. 189115</ref>[[File:FileConstantine’s policies and legislation were not explicitly Christian and he did not make it the official religion.png|200px|thumb|left|alt text]]These show that while he was very much influenced by Christianity that he was in no way an orthodox Christian Emperor, as shown in the Christian sources.  ==Conclusion=Constantine and Church Unity===To conclude, tradition states that [[File:Constantine converted to Christianity before the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 ADmultiple CdM Beistegui 233. Eusebius alone states that jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|A gold coin of Constantine ]]The Church in Constantine’s time was converted and he very divided. It was a divided on theological issues and these had led to schisms in the Christian bishop <ref> Eusebius, Vita Constantini. Vi </ref>community. Constantine was already sympathetic to Christianity before prove to be very interested in the unity of the Battle in Church after 312 AD. and very gradually converted to Christianity. He did not receive baptism until just before his death. A prolonged conversion process was typical held a series of Councils that was to be very important in the development of the period Church and it was only with the onset of death that the emperor could convertits doctrines. It would have been very difficult for him At these Constantine attempted to rule a largely pagan population if he had become a full member persuade the Bishops to come to an agreement on theological matters such as the nature of Christ, which was at the Churchheart of the Arian controversy. Constantine did not convert in 312 AD, but He attempted to ensure that there were no breakaway Churches and he prevented the vision formation of independent Christians churches.<ref> Eusebius, VI</ref> Constantine, before constantly attempted to achieve unity in the Battle of the Milivian Bridge was an important stage in his eventual conversion to Christianity. It can be said with some confidence Church and one that Constantine had a set of beliefs founded on the Great scriptures. These efforts would indicate that he had been genuinely converted at the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. Constantine was a life-long supporter of Christianity but did not actually become a full committed Christian until his baptism shortly before he died. an autocratic ruler and he attempted to impose order on every aspect of Roman life, as indicated by his administrative reforms.<ref> Cameron, p 112</ref> The Christian Church was a very important part of the life of people in the Roman Empire. Its theological disputes could potentially destabilize the Empire.<ref> Rapp, C., "Imperial Ideology in the Making: Eusebius of Caesarea on Constantine as Bishop", <i>Journal of Theological Studies, 49</i> (1998): 684-95</ref>. Eusebius portrays Egypt as ungovernable because of the theological controversies that were dividing the church in that province <ref> Eusebius, IV</ref> According to Eusebius in every city ‘bishops were engaged in obstinate conflict with bishops, and people rising against people’ <ref> Eusebius, Vita Constantini. Vi </ref>. The deep interest that Constantine had in the unity of the Christian Church cannot be construed as indicating that he was a full professed Christian. ===Constantine and Conversion===To understand if Constantine did have a conversion experience at the time of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge there needs to be an understanding of what conversion meant at the time.<ref>Rapp, p. 65</ref> Constantine was not technically a Christian after 312 AD, or for many years afterward, because he had not been baptized and was therefore not a full member of the Church. However, the conversion process could be gradual.<ref> Elliot, Thomas G., 'Constantine's Conversion; do we really need it?' Phoenix 41 (1987), 420-438 </ref> Constantine only seems to have slowly accepted Christian doctrine. Before this, he probably still had some lingering faith in some of the pagan deities, especially the sun-god, whose worship was very popular.<ref> Elliot, p. 430</ref>  Constantine was not suddenly converted to Christianity before the Milvian Bridge, but that episode was very important in his growing attachment to the Church and its doctrines. The growing relationship between Constantine and the Christian Church would indicate his growing commitment to Christianity, but that is was a long-drawn out process.<ref> Smith, M.D., "The Religion of Constantius I", Greek, Roman and Byzantine Studies 38 (1997): 187-209</ref> The ‘vision’ before the Milvian Bridge, that prompted him to order his soldiers to enter battle with a Christian sign was crucial in his early religious development. It seems that Constantine’s conversion was almost a life-long process and he was not a true Christian in 312 AD or for many years after. Indeed he was probably an old man before he was a true Christian. He only accepted baptism on his deathbed and perhaps only then could he be considered a Christian.<ref> Smith, p. 189</ref> ===Conclusion===To conclude, tradition states that Constantine converted to Christianity before the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. Eusebius alone states that Constantine was converted and he was a Christian bishop.<ref> Eusebius, <i>Vita Constantini</i>. Vi </ref> Constantine was already sympathetic to Christianity before the Battle in 312 AD. and very gradually converted to Christianity. He did not receive baptism until just before his death. A prolonged conversion process was typical of the period and it was only with the onset of death that the emperor could convert. It would have been very difficult for him to rule a largely pagan population if he had become a full member of the Church. Constantine did not convert in 312 AD, but the vision of Constantine, before the Battle of the Milivian Bridge was an important stage in his eventual conversion to Christianity. It can be said with some confidence that Constantine the Great was a life-long supporter of Christianity but did not actually become a fully committed Christian until his baptism shortly before he died. ===References===<references/> ==References=={{Contributors}}