HY 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Last Roman Emperor, Diocletianic Persecution, Diocletian
30 May 2018
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I.The Conversion of Christianity
A. At beginning of fourth century, Rome less than 5 percent Christian
1. Christianity beginning to have an impact
2. Diocletian opposed to any group perceived as subversive
3. If not loyal to Rome's gods, citizenship was revoked
4. "The Great Persecution" of Christians
a. Results in increased interest in social justice and equality
b. Increasing interest in Christianity
c. Coincides with emergence of Neoplatonism
B. Constantine's conversion—vision at Milvian Bridge (312)
1. Preparing to march on Italy and claim power
2. Saw vision before the battle "in this sign you will conquer"
3. Placed Christian symbols on banners and shields
. Attempt to curry favor with local Christian warriors
a. True motives of conversion unclear
4. Victorious in battle—rewarded the Christian clergy
. Patronized construction of churches throughout empire
5. Issued Edict of Milan guaranteeing freedom of worship throughout the empire
6. Made Christianity a favored religion
C. From Imperial Sect to Imperial Institution
1. Christianity grew organically; not designed as a religious system
. Constantine's conversion requires systemization
a. Institutionalization of the Church presents challenges
2. Doctrinal quarrels
. Arians and Athanasians: the Trinity
3. The importance of orthodoxy
4. Christian theology and the classical tradition
5. Council of Nicea (325)
. Arian heresy is condemned
a. Emperor presided over councils
6. The growth of ecclesiastical organization
. Clergy and laity
a. Hierarchical organization
i. Distinctions of rank
ii. The pope as bishop of Rome
iii. The Petrine Succession
7. Changing attitudes toward women, marriage, and the body
. Christianity initially favorable toward women
. Jesus had many women followers
i. Women leaders of many early churches
a. Women absent from the institutional Church
. Strong patriarchy of Rome
i. Christianity identified with Roman masculinity cults
ii. Emphasis on asceticism—alternate path to sanctity
b. Virginity as highest spiritual standard
c. The denigration of sexuality
8. Christians and Pagans
. Christianity highly urbanized; non-Christians called paganus, a derogatory term
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