Role Of Christianity In Eusebiu Constantine's Legalization Of Christianity

During Rome’s early encounters with its religions, Roman officials suppressed Christian followers once they felt threatened by the growth of Christianity, yet this religion would eventually become the official religion of the empire. The pax Romana saw a period of expansion and prosperity until the Roman empire became vulnerable to political conflicts in the 3rd century. In attempt to rebuild Rome’s stability, some emperors, like Constantine I, turned to “Divine assistance” (Eusebius, Chapter 27). Eusebius was a historian and close bishop to the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine I. Although the inconsistency of religious orders by emperors in the 4th century may depict a weak relationship between Rome and Christianity, other religions actually lost prominence as Christianity became the leading religion that unified a crumbling Roman empire. In, “The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine”,
After converting to Christianity, Constantine endowed several religious reforms that he felt necessary to improve the Roman Empire. For example, Constantine “ordered the Sign of the Saviour’s Cross to be engraven on his Soldiers’ Shields” (Eusebius, Chapter 21). Constantine deemed the cross as a protectant for his armies. Foreign invasions attacking Rome in the 3rd century pushed Constantine to search for a “more powerful aid than his military forces” (Eusebius, Chapter 32). The Roman army at this time relied on Christianity to unify and encourage its troops. In addition to the change in Roman armies, Constantine also “made the priests of God his counselors”, further legitimizing his rule by appointing religious counselors at his side. (Eusebius, Chapter 32). These religious reforms show how Roman emperors began to disregard polytheism as Christianity took prominence as a more appealing religion throughout the Roman