The Ambiguous Emperor

The Ambiguous Emperor

Constantine was the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire, but was he really a Christian?

HIS FULL name was Flavius Valerius Constantinus, but we know him as Constantine. He was the son of Constantius Chlorus, the western emperor of the Roman Empire, and his concubine, a barmaid named Helena. When his father died in 306, Constantine was proclaimed emperor by his father’s troops. Meanwhile, back in Rome the Praetorian Guard proclaimed Maxentius as western emperor.

On October 26, 312, Constantine and his troops reached a point about five miles north of Rome, prepared to do battle with Maxentius the following day. Eusebius, a church historian living at the time, tells us that Constantine swore to him that he saw a flaming cross in the sky that evening with the Greek words for “In This Sign Conquer.” He also reported that he had a dream that night in which Christ commanded him to have his soldiers mark their shields with the letters chi and rho, the first and second letters of the Greek word for “Christ,” superimposed one upon the other. The next morning when he ordered his troops to put the inscription on their shields, it was a great encouragement to the many Christians in his army.

Meanwhile in Rome Maxentius spent the night before the battle engaged in sacrifices and divinations. The impending battle was shaping up to be between the army of Christ and the army of the Roman gods.

Maxentius decided to do battle directly in front of the Tiber River with the Milvian Bridge behind him, approximately a mile from the gates of Rome. His decision showed exceedingly poor judgment for if he lost, escape would be impossible. And lose he did to the outnumbered forces of Constantine. According to Eusebius, Constantine advanced “invoking the God of heaven, and his son and word our Lord Jesus Christ, the saviour of all.” Maxentius was thrown into the Tiber along with many of his troops. His body was found the next day, and Constantine entered Rome as the undisputed emperor of the western empire.

The following year Constantine met with Licinius, emperor of the eastern empire, and issued the Edict of Milan, granting Christians freedom of worship along with compensation and return of confiscated church property.

An uneasy peace existed between Constantine and Licinius until 323 when Constantine defeated Licinius in battle, becoming the sole emperor. He then founded the city of Constantinople (today’s Istanbul) as capital of his empire.

Constantine is most remembered for his church policies. In addition to the Edict of Milan, he allowed bishops to settle civil lawsuits, he closed courts of law and workshops on Sundays, and banned gladiatorial games. He also took an active role in church affairs, summoning the Council of Nicea in 325.

But there was a darker side to Constantine. In 326 he had his wife, the sister of Maxentius, and one son executed under suspicious circumstances. He also never relinquished his position as chief priest of the pagan state religion, and his coins proclaimed his allegiance to the sun god. He delayed Christian baptism until shortly before his death. Yet whatever his personal spiritual state, because of Constantine, Christianity became the religion of the Roman Empire.

Reflection

Prior to Constantine Christians had experienced wave after wave of persecution. Then suddenly under Constantine it became the unofficial state religion. Do you think this was a positive development or a negative one? What are some of the benefits and drawbacks to Christianity’s being the state religion?

All governments have been placed in power by God.

Romans 13:1