Constantine’s Empire

Arch of Constantine 315 CE

A. Economic Decline 1. Success – slavery

2. End of conquests 3. Shortage of gold/silver

B. Military vulnerability

C. Political upheaval 1. Problem of imperial succession

II. The Terrible Third Century

A. New Sort of Empire 1. Tetrarchy

II. Military and Society under Diocletian and Constantine

B. Military Reforms1. Larger2. Mobile3. Multiple capitals

C. Administrative Reforms1. Smaller provinces2. Division of civil and military command3. Regularized tax system

II. Military and Society under Diocletian and Constantine

D. Economic Reforms 1. Binding laborers to the land or crafts 2. Continued costs of great cities 3. Importance of East greater than West

II. Military and Society under Diocletian and Constantine

Baths of Diocletian c. 300 CE

Baths of Caracalla c. 215 CE

III. Constantine and the Church

A. Christianity becomes a world religion

B. Christian differences

Pantheon (Rome c. 125 CE)

III. Constantine and the Church

A. Christianity becomes a world religion

B. Christian differences1. Religion of a book2. A religious community3. A life apart from majority4. Triumph over death

C. Constantine favors Christians1. Grants rights, property

Sarcophagus, 4th century

Basilica Ulpia Rome 113 CE

Church of Santa Maria MaggioreRome, 432 CE

III. Constantine and the Church

A. Christianity becomes a world religion

B. Christian differences1. Religion of a book2. A religious community3. A life apart from majority4. Triumph over death

C. Constantine favors Christians1. Grants rights, property

Sarcophagus, 4th century

2. Imperial authority in church3. Dilemma for Christians

Of this world or not?

IV. The Meaning of Constantinople

A. Symbol of the New Christian Empire founded by Constantine