Constantine
Effectively created imperial church and Christendom, dissolved Tetrarchy and seized entire control
Enacted Sunday law, provided Christians with religious freedom but did not convert himself until death bed, followed Unconquered Sun
Established new capital
Basilicas
Typical floor plan of churches during reign of Constantine
Important buildings rectangular in shape, divided into naves by rows of columns
Atrium, naves, sanctuary - fountain for ritual washing in atrium, sanctuary perpendicular to naves
Tapestries and mo
Eusebius of Caesarea
Sought to establish Constantine as first emperor chosen by God, culmination of events uniting church and empire
Divine intervention interpreted from end of Christian persecution, written in "Church History"
"Official theology" wealth and influence were di
Donatism
North Africa had strongest faction
Held that turning over scriptures to imperial authorities was heinous, those who were "traditores" were not legitimate clergy
Broke when Caecilian consecrated as bishop of Carthage without all Numidian bishops present an
Circumcellions
2nd half of 4th c. radical group who often sympathized with Donatists
Operated in countryside, carrying out assault of wealthy
Fanatical devotion to North African martyrs (lived outside their shrines)
Augustine of Hippo would justify use of force against
Arianism
Concerned with proper Christian understanding of the nature of the Logos in relation to God
Arius, opposed by Alexander bishop of Alexandria, went back to Origen referring to same substance
Taught Logos as subordinate to God (itself a created being)
Council of Nicaea
Called and dominated by Constantine in AD 325 in an effort to resolve theological conflicts
Arianism main occasion for convening the council - theological decisions made here became standard of orthodox faith for majority of churches in the world
Arians (
Ulfilas
Formerly Wulfila from Dacia
Eusebius, bishop of Nicomedia, ordained Ulfilas bishop to Gothic lands in AD 340
Created written Gothic language, translated Christian Bible, which would achieve mass conversion among the tribal persons
Arian texts as taught by