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Constantine the Great: The reorganization of the Empire and the triumph of the Church

Chapter 20: INDEX
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About This Book

The narrative traces the emperor's rise amid late Roman administrative reforms, the persecution of Christians, his succession and consolidation of power, and the political struggles with rivals. It examines his conversion to Christianity and the legal and ecclesiastical measures that followed, including imperial patronage, engagement with theological disputes, and the Arian controversy culminating in the Council of Nicaea. The work also treats domestic tragedies and dynastic murders, the founding and shaping of a new imperial capital, and wide administrative reorganization of the state. Concluding chapters assess his death, character, and the enduring relationship forged between imperial authority and the Christian church.

INDEX

A

  • Achillas, 190
  • Acts of Pilate, The, anti-Christian pamphlet, 145, 146
  • Adrianople, battle of, 128, 158
  • Ælianus, Proconsul of Africa, 172, 173
  • Alemanni defeated by Crispus, 124
  • Alexander, a Phrygian, leads revolt in Africa, 76
  • Alexander of Alexandria, holds Arius in high esteem, 190;
    • becomes involved in controversy with Arius, 192 ff.;
    • summons provincial synod, 195;
    • denounces Arians, 201 ff.;
    • attacks Eusebius of Nicomedia, 203;
    • at Council of Nicæa, 214;
    • influenced by Athanasius, 215;
    • prayer for the truth in regard to Arius, 274, 298;
    • death, 286;
    • refuses to admit Arius to communion, 298
  • Amandus, Admiral, defeated by Crispus, 129
  • Ambrose, St., exhortations to avoid marriage, 348;
    • influenced by Virgil, 353.
  • Ammianus Marcellinus, quoted, 345
  • Anastasia, half-sister to Constantine, 120
  • Anastasis, Church of, dedicated,3 11
  • Ancyra, Council of, canons, 153
  • Annibalianus, son-in-law of Constantine, 309
  • Antony, Saint, 147, 297
  • Anulinus, proconsul of Africa, letter from Constantine to, 167, 168
  • Apollo, statue of, 270, 271
  • Arcadius, rebuilds walls of Constantinople, 266
  • Arch of Constantine, 91
  • Arian controversy, 189 ff., 223 ff.;
    • Canon Bright on, 194;
    • Gibbon on, 194
  • Arianism, origin, 189 ff.;
    • leading tenet, 193 ff., 198, 223, 224;
    • Canon Bright on, 194;
    • class to which it appealed, 197 ff.;
    • claims, 198 ff.;
    • formal condemnation of, 229
  • Arians, edicts against, 286;
    • and Constantia, 289;
    • paramount at Imperial Court, 290;
    • plot against Athanasius, 290
  • “Ariomaniacs,” 206
  • Aristaces repeats Nicene Creed to his father, 285
  • Arius, a power in Alexandria, 190;
    • character, 190, 191;
    • preaching strange doctrine, 191;
    • starts controversy, 192 ff.;
    • denounces Alexander, 193;
    • defends his doctrine before synod, 195 ff.;
    • excommunicated, 196, 231, 236;
    • finds champion in Eusebius of Nicomedia, 200 ff.;
    • synod of Bithynian bishops sympathises with, 202 ff.;
    • Thalia, 204 ff., 222, 231;
    • Constantine intervenes between Alexander and, 207 ff.;
    • at Council of Nicæa, 214, 221, 231, 236;
    • and Eusebian party, 229 ff.;
    • recalled from exile, 287, 288;
    • Constantine’s attack on, 288;
    • pronounced a true Catholic by Council of Tyre, 295;
    • returns to Alexandria, 297;
    • questioned as to his faith, by Constantine, 297;
    • seeks admission to Church at Constantinople, 298, 299;
    • death, 299, 300
  • Arles, Council of, 173-176;
  • Armenia, recovered for Rome, 6;
    • Saint Gregory in, 27
  • Arsenius, legend of withered hand, 293
  • Athanasians and baptism of Constantine, 315
  • Athanasius, Saint, on help given to persecuted Christians, 28;
    • First Discourse against the Arians, quoted, 204, 205;
    • influence on Alexander, 214, 215;
    • leader of Trinitarians, 221;
    • on Council of Nicæa, 222-224;
    • in Arian controversy, 227;
    • condemnation of, 231, 295;
    • banished, 239, 296;
    • elected bishop, 286;
    • plot against, 290;
    • refuses to restore Arius to communion, 291;
    • Constantine threatens, 291, 292;
    • campaign of calumny against, 292;
    • refuses to attend trial at Cæsarea, 293;
    • trial at Council of Tyre, 293-295;
    • appeals to Constantine, 294, 295
  • Augustæum, the, 268, 269
  • Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo, on Botrus and Celestius, 164;
    • on Donatists, 181, 182;
    • on the Circumcelliones, 186;
    • and the Donatist schism, 187;
    • on Constantine, 329;
    • on Christian duty, 351;
    • and ancient literature, 353
  • Aurelian, Emperor, recovers Britain and Gaul, 3;
    • murdered, 4;
    • persecution of Christians, 13;
    • influence on Galerius, 17;
    • subdues Goths and Sarmatæ, 123
  • Ausonius, 354

B

  • Bassianus, 120
  • Botrus, deacon, 164
  • Bright, Canon, quoted, on Arianism, 194, 199;
    • on philosophy and the Church, 227
  • Britain, Carausius ruler of, 6;
    • Constantius ruler of, 8;
    • Constantine ruler of, 51, 56, 76, 82;
    • Constantius recovers, 52, 53;
    • Crispus ruler of, 124
  • Burnt Pillar, the, 270
  • Bury, Professor, quoted, on Constantine, 328
  • Byzantium, capitulation of, 115, 128;
    • naval battle at, 129, 259;
    • advantages of position, 259, 261;
    • chosen by Constantine as site for a new city, 259, 260;
    • renowned, 2 61;
    • withstandsPhilip of Macedon, 262;
    • Polybius on, 262;
    • prosperity, 262, 263
  • Byzas, the Megarian, founder of Byzantium, 261

C

  • Cæcilianus, rebukes Lucilla, 163;
    • elected bishop, 164;
    • position challenged, 165, 166, 170, 171, 173, 178;
    • letter from Constantine to, 166, 167;
    • summoned to Rome, 180, 181;
    • Constantine’s verdict on, 182;
    • Donatists refuse to obey, 184
  • Cæsarea, Council of, 292, 293
  • Caius, 238
  • Candidianus executed, 119
  • Carausius, 6, 65
  • Carinus, son of Carus, Empire divided between Numerian and, 4;
    • death, 5
  • Carnuntum, conference at, 63, 64
  • Carthage sacked, 76
  • Carthage, Council of, 188
  • Carus devastates Persia, 4
  • Catholic Party, 165 ff.; 297
  • Celestius, deacon, 164
  • “Champions of the Lord,” the, 185
  • Chrestus, Bishop of Syracuse, 175
  • Christian martyrsmartyrs, 15, 17 ff., 28, 30 ff., 136 ff., 147, 157
  • Christian schools of Antioch and Alexandria, 213
  • Christianity, rapid spread, 12;
    • embraced by Constantine, 93 ff., 306, 312 ff.;
    • element in disintegration of Empire, 343, 344, 346;
    • element of assimilation, 345;
    • tendency to depopulate Empire, 346-350;
    • and asceticism, 346-348;
    • and military service, 350-352;
    • and literature and art, 352-354;
    • influence upon Roman Empire, 355, 356
  • Christians, persecution of, 12 ff., 27, 134 ff.;
    • erect church at Nicomedia, 13;
    • and Neo-Platonists, 19, 20
  • Chrysopolis, battle of, 130, 158
  • Church, the, condition in reign of Diocletian, 12-14, 16;
  • Cibalis, battle of, 121
  • Circumcelliones, a religious sect, 185, 186
  • Cirta, capital of Numidia, sacked, 76;
  • Cirta, synod of, 161, 162
  • Cistern of Philoxenos, 273
  • Claudian, 354
  • Claudius subdues Goths and Sarmatæ, 3, 123
  • Coins, 239, 314, 318
  • Colonus, the, condition, 340, 342, 343
  • Column of Constantine, 270
  • Constans, son of Constantine, 238, 309
  • Constantia, wife of Licinius, pleads for his life 131;
  • Constantina, daughter of Constantine, 309
  • Constantina, new name of Cirta, 186
  • Constantine, Emperor, birth and parentage, 43, 44;
    • birthplace, 44, 260;
    • early life and characteristics, 45;
    • ambitions, 46;
    • escape from Galerius, 47;
    • joins his father, 48;
    • saluted as Augustus by the troops, 49;
    • declares himself Emperor, 50;
    • acknowledged as Cæsar by Galerius, 50;
    • Cæsar of the West, 51;
    • victory over the Franks, 53-55;
    • attitude toward Galerius, 60;
    • marriage, 61;
    • alliance of Maximian and Maxentius with, 62;
    • relations with Diocletian, 64;
    • acknowledged as Augustus by Galerius, 66;
    • recognises Maximian, 67;
    • expedition against the Franks, 67, 68;
    • quells Maximian, 69;
    • plots against, 70, 71;
    • his domain, 76;
    • alliance of Licinius with, 79;
    • war with Maxentius, 80 ff.;
    • battle of Milvian Bridge, 86, 87;
    • triumphal procession in Rome, 88;
    • disbands Prætorians, 89;
    • acts of conciliation, 90;
    • games and festivals in honour of, 91;
    • vision of the Cross and conversion, 92, 95 ff.;
    • issues Edict of Milan, 107 ff.;
    • and Licinius share Roman Empire, 120;
    • war with Licinius, 120 ff.;
    • defeats Licinius at Cibalis, 121;
    • defeats Licinius at Mardia, 121;
    • treaty with Licinius, 122;
    • appoints Crispus as Cæsar,1 22;
    • his sons, 123;
    • rupture with Licinius, 123 ff., 154;
    • triumphs of, 124;
    • champion of the Church, 126, 127;
    • defeats Licinius at Adrianople, 128;
    • victory at Byzantium, 129;
    • generalship of, 130;
    • victory at Chrysopolis, 130;
    • treatment of Licinius, 131, 132;
    • signs edict of toleration, 140;
    • overthrow of Maxentius, 153;
    • recalls exiled Christians, 158;
    • and the Donatists, 159 ff.;
    • African bishops appeal to, 159;
    • presents money to African clergy, 166;
    • letter to Cæcilianus, 166;
    • letter to Anulinus, 167;
    • party of Majorinus appeal to, 169;
    • letter to Miltiades, 169;
    • letter to Ælianus, 172-174;
    • letter to Chrestus, 175;
    • letter to Council of Arles, 178-180;
    • summons Cæcilianus to Rome, 180;
    • letter to Donatist bishops, 180;
    • letter to Probianus, 181;
    • passes judgment on Cæcilianus, 182;
    • change of policy, 183;
    • ignores African Church, 185;
    • letter to the Catholics and his opinion of the Donatists, 187;
    • and Arian controversy, 189, 207-210, 285-297;
    • calls Council of Nicæa, 211;
    • opens the Council, 217-219;
    • and Nicene Creed, 230;
    • celebrates his Vicennalia, 232, 233, 239, 322;
    • farewell speech to Council of Nicæa, 233, 234;
    • letter “To the Churches,” 235;
    • family, 237;
    • mother’s influence upon, 238, 239;
    • and Procession of the Knights, 240;
    • edict to his subjects, 241;
    • turns against Crispus, 242;
    • murder of Crispus, Licinianus, and Fausta, 243-247;
    • repentance, 247, 249;
    • donation of, 248, 249;
    • baptism, 248, 249;
    • builds churches, 249, 251, 318, 319;
    • campaigns against the Goths and Sarmatæ, 252, 253;
    • confession of faith, 254, 255;
    • relations with Persia, 254-256;
    • founder of Constantinople, 257 ff.;
    • edicts against the Arians, 286;
    • character, 301 ff.;
    • passion for building, 302, 303;
    • division of the Empire, 307-311;
    • education of his sons, 308;
    • celebrates Tricennalia, 311;
    • fatal malady, 312, 313;
    • death and burial, 256, 313, 314;
    • and religious parties, 316;
    • daily religious life, 317;
    • edict for observance of Lord’s day, 319;
    • prayer, 319;
    • policy toward old religion, 320 ff.;
    • edict giving religious freedom, 321;
    • Pontifex Maximus, 322 ff.;
    • and divination, 326;
    • edict to abolish gladiatorial shows, 327;
    • reforms, 330;
    • attitude of subjects to, 331;
    • organisation of Empire, 331;
    • fiscal system of, 339-342
  • Constantine, son of the Emperor Constantine, 296, 309
  • Constantinople, foundation of, 257 ff.;
    • called “New Rome,” 258;
    • and Napoleon, 259;
    • part rebuilt, 266;
    • called Septicollis, 266;
    • dedication, 267;
    • plan and buildings, 269;
    • forum, 269;
    • palaces, 272;
    • aqueducts, 273;
    • Hippodrome, 274, 276;
    • churches, 274-276
  • Constantinus, son of Constantine, 309, 314
  • Constantius, son of Constantine, persecution of Christians, 134;
    • birth, 238;
    • appointed Cæsar of Gaul, 242;
    • named consul, 243
  • Constantius Chlorus, Cæsar, 5;
    • goes to Britain, 6;
    • domain, 8;
    • character, 16, 328;
    • attitude toward Christians, 16, 26;
    • becomes emperor, 40;
    • ancestry, 44;
    • marriage, 44;
    • loyalty, 46;
    • death, 49
  • Consuls, 334
  • “Council of the 318,” the, 212
  • Crispus, son of Constantine, becomes Cæsar, 122;
    • victory over Alemanni, 124, 125;
    • victory over Amandus, 129;
    • heir to throne, 237;
    • victories, 237;
    • and Fausta, 238;
    • Constantine turns against, 242, 243;
    • death, 243
  • Curia, the, 338

D

  • Dalmatius, 310
  • Damasus, Pope, 152
  • Datianus, 29
  • Decius, Emperor, persecution of the Christians, 13
  • Diocletian, Emperor, accession, 5, 45;
    • chooses colleagues, 5;
    • recovers Armenia for Rome 6;
    • attitude toward Galerius, 7, 8;
    • controlling spirit in the Empire, 8;
    • locates his capital, 8, 57;
    • domain, 8;
    • changes introduced by, 9;
    • decentralisation in the provinces, 10;
    • prosperous reign, 11;
    • persecution of the Christians, 12, 24 ff., 79, 160;
    • wife and daughters, 13;
    • neutrality toward the Church, 14;
    • neutralitychanged to antagonism, 16, 19;
    • influenced by Galerius, 16, 25, 70, 74;
    • edict against the Manichæans, 22, 23;
    • and Galerius, 23;
    • edicts against the Christians, 26, 99, 134;
    • motive for persecution, 38;
    • abdication, 39, 41, 43;
    • chooses new Cæsars, 40, 41;
    • retires to private life, 40, 46;
    • system of organisation, 50, 65, 66, 74, 123, 242, 311, 330, 331, 337;
    • recognises Carausius, 51;
    • invited to conference at Carnuntum, 63, 64;
    • relations with Constantine, 64;
    • treatment of the Senate, 90;
    • declinesin vitation to wedding of Constantine’s sister, 106;
    • wife and daughter, 118, 119;
    • wishes daughter to live with him, 119;
    • celebrates Vicennalia, 134, 239, 240;
    • proclaims amnesty, 134
  • Donatist schism, 159-188
  • Donatists, 159-188;
    • Constantine’s letter to, 180;
    • raison d’etre, 183;
    • increase in numbers, 185
  • Donatus Magnus, leader of Donatist schism, 166, 173, 184, 185
  • Donatus of Casæ Nigræ, 165
  • Donatus of Mascula, 161

E

  • Easter, celebration, 231, 232
  • Education, basis of, 353;
    • and Christianity, 354
  • Eusebian party, rise, 221;
    • and Nicene Creed, 229, 230;
    • in favour at Imperial Court, 290;
    • confounded at Arius’s death, 299
  • Eusebius of Cæsarea, on Constantine’s conversion, 93 ff.;
    • letter of Constantine to, 158;
    • friend of Arius, 196, 214;
    • teachings, 200;
    • on Arian controversy, 206;
    • supports middle party at Council of Nicæa, 221;
    • creed of, 224, 225;
    • signs Nicene Creed, 229, 230;
    • on Constantine’s baptism, death, and burial, 312, 315;
    • on Constantine’s daily life, 317;
    • on Constantine’s religious policy, 320 ff.
  • Eusebius of Nicomedia, as historian, 25;
    • History of the Church, 27, 71, 97;
    • Life of Constantine, 27, 97;
    • champion of Arius, 200 ff., 214;
    • calls a synod of Bithynian bishops, 202;
    • attacked by Alexander, 203;
    • leader of middle party at Council of Nicæa, 221;
    • character, 222;
    • and the word “Homoousion,” 224;
    • signs Nicene Creed, 231;
    • exiled, 231, 236;
    • recalled, 287, 288;
    • succeeds Hosius as adviser to Constantine, 290, 300, 316;
    • attack on Athanasius, 291 ff.;
    • attempt to restore Arius, 291;
    • baptises Constantine, 313
  • Eustathius, Bishop of Antioch, charges against, 291
  • Eutropius, on Constantine’s character, 306, 307