Rome has a complex history with many layers that one must peal individually to fully comprehend. A very complicated time for the political stage of the empire was during the 4th century, when Rome was divided into East and West. The shifting powers at the time led to one of the most influential incidents in Roman history, the Battle of Milvian Bridge. On the 28th of October 312 A.D., two of the greatest authorities at the time faced off on the outskirts of Rome. Constantine the Great engaged with his 40,000 troops against Maxentius, who had 100,000 men at his disposal. The victor of this battle would determine the course of Rome 's history for the centuries to come. Though the odds seemed uneven, Constantine destroyed Maxentius and his army.
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Constantine the Great was the first emperor who truly put forth the notion of letting all the people in his empire worship whichever divine being they wished to. He furthered the work Diocletian, the previous emperor, did in many different ways. Constantine first and foremost, officially legalized Christianity jointly with Licinus by putting together the Edict of Milan in 313 AD. The edict formally granted freedom for Christians and all other men to worship freely whichever divinity they wished to at the time. Furthermore, under his rule, the Christian church gained the right to inherit property and the Clergy were relieved from paying taxes. Also, with Constantine 's newfound love of Christianity, many basilicas and building projects were put in motion around Rome and in the creating of the 'Holy Land '. Constantine also played a great role in the fundamentals of the Nicene Creed, a definition of what it means to be Christian, and the disapproval of Arianism. In addition, although the emperor tolerated certain pagan religious practices, pagan sacrifices were forbidden, temple treasuries seized, gladiatorial contests ended, crucifixions abolished and laws enacted against sexual immorality and ritual prostitution. Lastly, Constantine contributed to the large development of the Bible. He ordered Eusebius to arrange for 50 lavish copies of …show more content…
Constantinople was consecrated on May 11th, 330 AD. Constantine saw the location, military and political advantages in the ancient Greek city Byzantium, renamed Constantinople. He restored the city and made it the empires new capital, calling it the 'New Rome '. The city seemingly further distinguished the division between East and West of Constantinople 's newly unified Empire. As a strategic standpoint, the city is located on the Bosporus Straight, which gives it easy access to the Black Sea, as well as the option to control traffic smoothly. The city also gives out to an excellent harbour, the Golden Horn, which can be easily defended in case of attack. Constantinople also gives facilitates access to the Balkan provinces and eastern frontier. Constantine quadrupled the city 's territory, erected two major churches and thus created the new Christian capital. The city resembled Old Rome 's physical features and
Constantine the Great was the first emperor who truly put forth the notion of letting all the people in his empire worship whichever divine being they wished to. He furthered the work Diocletian, the previous emperor, did in many different ways. Constantine first and foremost, officially legalized Christianity jointly with Licinus by putting together the Edict of Milan in 313 AD. The edict formally granted freedom for Christians and all other men to worship freely whichever divinity they wished to at the time. Furthermore, under his rule, the Christian church gained the right to inherit property and the Clergy were relieved from paying taxes. Also, with Constantine 's newfound love of Christianity, many basilicas and building projects were put in motion around Rome and in the creating of the 'Holy Land '. Constantine also played a great role in the fundamentals of the Nicene Creed, a definition of what it means to be Christian, and the disapproval of Arianism. In addition, although the emperor tolerated certain pagan religious practices, pagan sacrifices were forbidden, temple treasuries seized, gladiatorial contests ended, crucifixions abolished and laws enacted against sexual immorality and ritual prostitution. Lastly, Constantine contributed to the large development of the Bible. He ordered Eusebius to arrange for 50 lavish copies of …show more content…
Constantinople was consecrated on May 11th, 330 AD. Constantine saw the location, military and political advantages in the ancient Greek city Byzantium, renamed Constantinople. He restored the city and made it the empires new capital, calling it the 'New Rome '. The city seemingly further distinguished the division between East and West of Constantinople 's newly unified Empire. As a strategic standpoint, the city is located on the Bosporus Straight, which gives it easy access to the Black Sea, as well as the option to control traffic smoothly. The city also gives out to an excellent harbour, the Golden Horn, which can be easily defended in case of attack. Constantinople also gives facilitates access to the Balkan provinces and eastern frontier. Constantine quadrupled the city 's territory, erected two major churches and thus created the new Christian capital. The city resembled Old Rome 's physical features and