Like Buddhism, Christianity spread throughout the world as people moved from region to region. Today, there are many Christian denominations, each one the result of one group's adaptation of Christian beliefs and practices to fit that group's history, values, and way of life. The Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination, with over one billion followers. In total, nearly one third of the world’s population is Christian.
During the Classical era, though, the vast majority of the world's people were what Christians called pagans—they worshiped numerous gods, and rejected the one God of Christianity. How, then, did Christianity become the dominant religion in Europe by the end of the Classical era? Find out in this slideshow.
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Constantine was the emperor of Rome from 306-337 CE. He inherited a policy of persecuting Christians, but in 312, while he was fighting a rebellion, he claimed to see a vision of the Christian cross with the message “with this sign, you will conquer.” Constantine had his men draw crosses on their shields, and he won his battle. A few months later, in 313, he issued a decree ending the persecution of Christians.
Constantine allowed Christians to practice, and he supported the new religion, but he had no qualms about continuing to worship pagan gods. In 321, he called for all his subjects, Christian and pagan, to observe a day of worship of the sun god. Constantine also expected his subjects to revere him. Although Constantine was usually depicted as a saint, as in this mosaic, historians believe he adopted Christianity as just one of his religions, in order to harness its power, and not out of true religious conviction.
This is the Hagia Eirene, a replica of the first Christian church built in Constantinople, the emperor Constantine’s capital city. The original was burned down in 532 CE. Constantine wanted his capital to reflect his glory, so he plundered statues from the conquered lands of his empire and brought them to Constantinople. Pagan statues and temples filled the city, but since the emperor was also a Christian, that religion had monumental architecture as well. |
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What major event enabled Christianity to spread quickly throughout the world?
- A Roman emperor replaced pagan temples and statues with Christian churches and icons.
- Christians moved in small groups around the world, converting people to Christianity.
- Emperor Constantine adopted Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.
- Christians won their freedom at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.
Under Constantine, the Roman Emperor from 306-337 CE, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, which led to its rapid spread throughout Europe as the Empire gained land and power.
Under Constantine, the Roman Emperor from 306-337 CE, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, which led to its rapid spread throughout Europe as the Empire gained land and power.
Under Constantine, the Roman Emperor from 306-337 CE, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, which led to its rapid spread throughout Europe as the Empire gained land and power.
Under Constantine, the Roman Emperor from 306-337 CE, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, which led to its rapid spread throughout Europe as the Empire gained land and power.
What was Constantine’s motivation for adopting Christianity as the official religion of Rome in the 4th century CE?
- spirituality
- politics
- safety
- wealth
Constantine adopted Christianity for political reasons. He noticed Christians were resolved in their faith and did not give it up no matter the circumstance. Constantine wanted to use that resolve to unite the people of his empire.
Constantine adopted Christianity for political reasons. He noticed Christians were resolved in their faith and did not give it up no matter the circumstance. Constantine wanted to use that resolve to unite the people of his empire.
Constantine adopted Christianity for political reasons. He noticed Christians were resolved in their faith and did not give it up no matter the circumstance. Constantine wanted to use that resolve to unite the people of his empire.
Constantine adopted Christianity for political reasons. He noticed Christians were resolved in their faith and did not give it up no matter the circumstance. Constantine wanted to use that resolve to unite the people of his empire.
Summary
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