Constantine

§ Civil War-next 18 yrs.-Milvian Bridge: Summer, 312--decisive battle; Constantine's vision

§ 313: Edict of Milan: religious toleration--ends persecution of Christians

§ 324: Constantine controlled complete Roman Empire; began construction of Constantinople (capital from 330)

§ 337: Constantine was baptized only on his deathbed

Arius (250-336) & The Trinity

§ 318: Arius offers explanation of Trinity at council in Alexandria: the Son is a created being

§ Council of Nicea (325): 1^st Ecumenical Council--addressed Arius & the Trinity

§ Decides that Father and Son are both the same being: God; Arianism persists

End of Arianism

1. 325-37: Nicea to death of Constantine--most visible unity

2. 337-61: Rule of Constantius--Arianism favored

3. 361-81: Revival of Nicene thinking

§ Holy Spirit added to discussion

§ Formula: 3 hypostases (entities/persons) in 1 ousia (essence/substance)

The 1^st Council of Constantinople (381; 2^nd Ecumenical Council)

§ 379: Theodosius becomes Emperor: makes Christianity official religion; paganism outlawed; favors Nicene Christianity--Arianism outlawed

§ Theodosius calls Council of Constantinople to reaffirm Nicea: adds Holy Spirit and clarifies

Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

§ Life: Confessions; Manicheanism

§ Milan & Ambrose; converts to Christianity in 386

§ Controversy with Pelagius: Free will and Original Sin (410-430)

Barbarians & the Western Roman Empire

§ Theodosius I redivides empire, East & West (395): different fates

§ 476: Fall of Rome; 1453: Fall of Roman/Byzantine Empire

§ The Goths: pushed into Roman Empire by Huns: 370s; allowed to settle in Roman Empire; revolt

§ Battle of Adrianople (378): Goths defeat Romans; 410 Goths sack Rome; settle in Italy, Spain

§ Theodoric (493-526)—Gothic leader

§ The Vandals: 407 crossed the Rhine; 429 N. Africa; 431 Carthage; 455 sacked Rome; ruled N. Africa until 533

§ 476: last Western Roman emperor deposed; “replaced” by Barbarian kingdoms; Barbarian rulers were Arians

§ Gaul/France: Burgundians (South/Arians) & Franks (North/Pagans); Meroveus/ Merovingians

§ Clovis: conversion 496; orthodox, not Arian

§ Boethius (480-525/6)— Consolation of Philosophy

Christian Monasticism and Asceticism

§ Antony (ca. 250-356): becomes the "first monk" in 269

§ Anchoritic vs. Cenobitic monasticism: Pachomius (ca. 286-346); monastic "rules"

§ Benedict of Nursia (480-550): beginings of Western monasticism: Monte Cassino

The Rise of the Papacy

§ Bishop Stephen I—255

§ 382—Pope Damasus

§ Leo the Great (440-61); convinced Atilla the Hun not to sack Rome (452); Vandals not to burn city (455)

§ Byzantine reconquest of Italy; appearance of Lombards (568); Pelagius II pays not to sack Rome (579)

§ Gregory the Great (540-604; Pope from 590): negotiated peace with Lombards; secured food supply; rebuilt Rome

§ Extended authority: converted Spain; mission to convert England; theologian & reformer; Gregorian chants; Purgatory

§ Donation of Constantine (mid-700s); supposedly from Constantine to Pope Sylvester in 326