Constantine and the Conversion of Europe
by A. H. M. Jones
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'Constantine hardly deserves the title of Great which posterity has given him, either by his character or by his abilities. He was highly susceptible to flattery, and fell completely under the influence of any dominating personality who happened to be at his side ... Still less does Constantine deserve the title of saint, which the Eastern Church has bestowed upon him. He was, it is true, according to his lights, a good man on the whole, though his political murders - particularly that of show more Licinius - shocked even contemporary opinion, and his execution of his wife and son was felt by many to be an inexpiable stain on his character... To the other title which the Orthodox Church has bestowed upon him, "the Peer of the Apostles," he has a better claim, for his career profoundly influenced the history of the Church and the future of Christianity ... Constantine had no doubts about his imperial duty. It was his task to secure God's favour on the empire by securing, by force if necessary, that his subjects worshipped God in a manner pleasing to Him.' Originally published by Macmillan, 1948. show lessTags
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From the Publisher:
‘Constantine hardly deserves the title of Great which posterity has given him, either by his character or by his abilities. He was highly susceptible to flattery, and fell completely under the influence of any dominating personality who happened to be at his side … Still less does Constantine deserve the title of saint, which the Eastern Church has bestowed upon him. He was, it is true, according to his lights, a good man on the whole, though his political murders – particularly that of Licinius – shocked even contemporary opinion, and his execution of his wife and son was felt by many to be an inexpiable stain on his character…
To the other title which the Orthodox Church has bestowed upon him, “the Peer show more of the Apostles,” he has a better claim, for his career profoundly influenced the history of the Church and the future of Christianity … Constantine had no doubts about his imperial duty. It was his task to secure God’s favour on the empire by securing, by force if necessary, that his subjects worshipped God in a manner pleasing to Him.’
Originally published by Macmillan, 1948. show less
‘Constantine hardly deserves the title of Great which posterity has given him, either by his character or by his abilities. He was highly susceptible to flattery, and fell completely under the influence of any dominating personality who happened to be at his side … Still less does Constantine deserve the title of saint, which the Eastern Church has bestowed upon him. He was, it is true, according to his lights, a good man on the whole, though his political murders – particularly that of Licinius – shocked even contemporary opinion, and his execution of his wife and son was felt by many to be an inexpiable stain on his character…
To the other title which the Orthodox Church has bestowed upon him, “the Peer show more of the Apostles,” he has a better claim, for his career profoundly influenced the history of the Church and the future of Christianity … Constantine had no doubts about his imperial duty. It was his task to secure God’s favour on the empire by securing, by force if necessary, that his subjects worshipped God in a manner pleasing to Him.’
Originally published by Macmillan, 1948. show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Constantine and the Conversion of Europe
- Original title
- Constantine and the Conversion of Europe
- Original publication date
- 1948
- People/Characters
- Constantine the Great; Diocletian
- Important places
- Byzantium
- Important events
- Battle of Milvian Bridge
- First words
- Constantine was born at Naissus, the modern Nish, in Serbia.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Thus though Christianity lost its original homeland to Islam, its future was safe in the hands of the European nations, who were to carry it to the New World. If Constantine had not seen his heavenly vision of the Cross, would this have come about?
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, History, Religion & Spirituality, General Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 923.137 — History & geography Biographies, Genealogy, Heraldry Unique Notables Heads Of State Ancient World
- LCC
- BR180 .J6 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Christianity Christianity History By period Early and medieval
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 252
- Popularity
- 129,263
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.55)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 9
- ASINs
- 12
