Which of the following statements best evaluates why Constantine I converted to Christianity during his fight to gain control of the Roman Empire?(1 point)
Responses
Constantine thought he saw a cross in the sky the night before a big battle and believed this celestial clue helped him win the battle.
Constantine thought he saw a cross in the sky the night before a big battle and believed this celestial clue helped him win the battle.
Constantine never became a Christian; he died a pagan.
Constantine never became a Christian; he died a pagan.
Constantine and Licinius, the emperor of the eastern half of the Roman Empire, met and announced a decision to let people publicly believe in Christianity without fear of being persecuted. After that, Constantine thought it was safe to convert.
Constantine and Licinius, the emperor of the eastern half of the Roman Empire, met and announced a decision to let people publicly believe in Christianity without fear of being persecuted. After that, Constantine thought it was safe to convert.
Constantine was already a Christian before he began fighting to gain control of the western portion of the empire and only made it public after the fighting started.
Constantine thought he saw a cross in the sky the night before a big battle and believed this celestial clue helped him win the battle.
The statement that best evaluates why Constantine I converted to Christianity during his fight to gain control of the Roman Empire is:
Constantine and Licinius, the emperor of the eastern half of the Roman Empire, met and announced a decision to let people publicly believe in Christianity without fear of being persecuted. After that, Constantine thought it was safe to convert.
The statement that best evaluates why Constantine I converted to Christianity during his fight to gain control of the Roman Empire is the third statement: "Constantine and Licinius, the emperor of the eastern half of the Roman Empire, met and announced a decision to let people publicly believe in Christianity without fear of being persecuted. After that, Constantine thought it was safe to convert."
To find the answer, we need to analyze the historical context and events surrounding Constantine's conversion. In the early 4th century, the Roman Empire was divided into two parts, with Constantine ruling the western half and Licinius ruling the eastern half. At this time, Christianity was one among several religions in the Roman Empire, but it faced varying degrees of persecution.
In 313 AD, Constantine and Licinius issued the Edict of Milan, which proclaimed religious tolerance and allowed people to publicly practice Christianity without fear of persecution. This marked a significant turning point in the acceptance of Christianity in the Roman Empire.
While Constantine's conversion to Christianity is often attributed to a vision he had before the Battle of Milvian Bridge, where he saw a cross in the sky and heard the words "in this sign, conquer," the timing of his conversion suggests that it was more likely influenced by the Edict of Milan. The ability to openly embrace Christianity without being persecuted would have provided Constantine with political and social benefits, as it would have gained him the support of a growing and influential religious faction within the empire.
Therefore, the third statement, which highlights the Edict of Milan as a catalyst for Constantine's conversion, provides the most accurate evaluation of the historical context and motivations behind his decision to become a Christian.