Christianity in the Era of Constantine 312-337A.D From Confession to Division A Historical Religious Study

Abstract

confession of Christian's Religion in Roman Empire in the 4^th Century A.D. led to the emergence of new era in this empire because religion was regarded as one of the significant civilizational traits that a society, a government or an era is recognized by.  Although Christianity was being in a constant spread over three centuries in the empire, the emperors had made all their best to confront and eradicate this religion. However, it became an outstanding de facto in the 4^th century and could draw the attention of supporters across the empire, especial in its remote areas.  So, this issue became the future policy of the empire.  Therefore, after the Constantine’s permission of Christianity via Edict of Milan in 313 A.D., he tried to adapt its principles in the rules and instructions of the government in order to achieve his political objectives including a united empire that could be run by one emperor. Although the main aim of Constantine’s adoption of Christianity is to unify the empire, the Christianity, like any other type of ideology, was subsequently undergone the process of interpretation by different religious figures and trends. And this led to the appearance of different doctrines that mostly hold the name of their founders, such as Arius, Asnasius, and Monophysite. These diversities resulted in mental, social and consequently political divisions across the empire although many gatherings and meetings were held to stop these divisions but they did not work.  As a consequence, the eastern and the western churches were further driven away from each other, and the emperors started to support one of the trends over others for their own benefits and for keeping the empire’s internal issues under the control.