320 AD Constantine and the Foundations of the Byzantine Church
The conversion of Constantine after his victorious vision of the cross marked a pivotal moment for Christianity. His patronage brought the faith into the social mainstream and laid the foundations of the Byzantine Church. The ‘Publication’ of Christian Scripture The emergence of the codex, or modern book form, played a pivotal role in the spread […]
330 AD How Constantine’s Constantinople Shaped History
In 324 CE, the Roman emperor Constantine defeated his rival Licinius to become sole ruler of the Roman empire. Shortly after, he made a decision that would change the course of history – founding a new imperial capital on the site of the ancient city of Byzantium. Christened Constantinople in 330 CE, this “New Rome” […]
300 AD The Legal Status of Christianity in the Roman Empire
The legal status of Christianity in the Roman Empire during the first three centuries AD is complex. While there was no specific law targeting Christians, persecutions began in the apostolic era under Nero and continued intermittently until the early 4th century. Initially viewed as a Jewish sect, Christians were exempt from requirements to participate in […]