Date of Defense
4-1975
Department
History
Abstract
"Constantine: The First Christian Emperor" is the chapter title in a generally used text on Roman History. But was Constantine really a Christian or was his motivation based elsewhere? This question has been the point of much scholarly discussion. Views range from a staunch support of Constantine1s faith and sincerity to the belief that Constantine was simply using Christianity as a political move to further himself. Yet beyond all this discussion there is another question which few seem to consider. Are historians justified in referring to Constantine as the first Christian emperor? Of course, this can only be answered after a study of the events of Constantine's life and his effect on society and future history. That study and a final dealing with the question of the importance of determining a binding answer about Constantine!s conversion is the scope of this essay.
Recommended Citation
Spaulding, Karla, "The Conversion of Constantine" (1975). Honors Theses. 1459.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/1459
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Campus Only