Paperback, 9780801871047, 0801871042 [7] Eamon Duffy calls this the "first direct intervention by an emperor in the affairs of the church. ", "If you read one book on late antiquity this year, read this one. None of this, however, has particularly much to do with the popes, who did not even attend the Council; in fact, the first bishop of Rome to be contemporaneously referred to as "Pope" (πάππας, or pappas) is Damasus I (366-384). Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Approved third parties also use these tools in connection with our display of ads. By the eve of the conversion of Constantine, there were more than two dozen of these religious community-centers or tituli".[4]. It certainly deserves to be. The "Donation" purports to acknowledge the primacy of Rome over Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Constantinople, even though the last of these had not even been founded at the time of the claimed Donation. [10] The key debates in Nicaea had been conducted in the Greek language, with the subtleties of particular words inciting great controversy; the Latin language of the West simply "did not yet even possess adequate terminology to handle the debate properly. [1], The influence of Constantine would help solidify a strong role for the Roman emperor in the selection process: Constantine chose Julius I (337–352) for all intents and purposes, and his son Constantius II exiled Liberius and installed Felix II (an Arian) as his successor. "[10] The pope's legates signed onto the findings of the Council, and it continued to be supported by the next two popes, just as followers of Athanasius remained welcome in Rome, but the theological issues were little examined in the West. Constantine involved himself in disputes he scarcely understood in order to settle differences between warring factions of bishops. Constantine, Drake suggests, was looking not only for a god in whom to believe but also a policy he could adopt. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Old St. Peter's was begun between 326 and 330 and would have taken three decades to complete, long after the death of Constantine. ", "A thoughtful and erudite book that breaks the mold... A powerful study with a strong, coherent thesis, Constantine and the Bishops is animated by a fresh vision of the early fourth century. [13] These events were incorporated uncritically into the Liber pontificalis c. Buy Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of Intolerance (Ancient Society and History) Hardcover December 14, 1999 by (ISBN: ) from Amazon's Book Store. Unable to add item to List. [citation needed] These bishops of important cities (Metropolitan bishops) therefore rose in power over the bishops of lesser cities (later called Suffragan bishops). xx, 597pp+ index. "I have perused the letters written by your Prudences, and highly approve of the wise resolution of your colleague in the ministry, Eusebius. ", "In its scholarship and size Constantine and the Bishops is clearly a work to benefit scholars, but the clarity of its explanations make it accessible to the enterprising undergraduate as well. [13] Among other things, the document claims that Silvester I slew a dragon that had been threatening Rome. Constantine the Great's (272–337) relationship with the four Bishops of Rome during his reign is an important component of the history of the Papacy, and more generally the history of the Catholic Church. This book provides an analysis of the causes, origins, and nature of Christian coercion in which increasingly powerful bishops eventually seized the initiative. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. There is a minor basilica at the Basilique Saint Augustin in Annaba (Hippo). Hello, Sign in. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness. [12] When Pope Sixtus V erected the Egyptian obelisk to the north of the Lateran Basilica in 1588, he added to the base the inscription "Constantine was baptized here. Born in Naissus, Dacia Mediterranea (now Niš, Serbia), he was the son of Flavius Constantius, an Illyrian army officer who became one of the four emperors of the Tetrarchy. Historians who viewed imperial Rome in terms of a conflict between pagans and Christians have often regarded the emperor Constantine's conversion as the triumph of Christianity over paganism. Updating Basket.... Church House Bookshop will be closed to the public from Monday 21st December onwards: web and mail order still open for business. ", "A well organized, well documented, and well written study. But in Constantine and the Bishops , historian H. A. Drake offers a fresh and more nuanced understanding of Constantine's rule and, especially, of his relations with Christians. After the Edict of Milan, the church adopted the same governmental structure as the Empire: geographical provinces ruled by bishops. He sought compromise between factions of Christians by mutual toleration and used bribery to achieve his ends. Qtip modal. Despite the emperor's conversion to Christianity, Drake concludes, Rome remained a world filled with gods and with men seeking to depose rivals from power. Therein, Liberius's legates signed a declaration condemning the Council of Nicaea. In this book, historian H.A. But in Constantine and the Bishops, historian H. A. Drake offers a fresh and more nuanced understanding of Constantine's rule and, especially, of his relations with Christians. Constantine, H.A. [11] Pope Damasus, (366-384) was able to largely suppress the Arians with the help of Emperor Theodosius, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Ambrose of Milan. If you read one book on politics this year, read this one again... A work of visionary brilliance. [1], Julius I received Athanasius, and invited the Arian Eastern bishops then in Antioch to join him in Rome. Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of Intolerance (Ancient Society and History), Johns Hopkins University Press; New Ed edition (12 Nov. 2002), Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2012. [1] Moreover, between 324 and 330, he built Constantinople as a new capital for the empire, and—with no apologies to the Roman community of Christians—relocated key Roman families and translated many Christian relics to the new churches. Constantine was the first Roman Emperor to embrace Christianity, although he likely continued in his pre-Christian beliefs. There are currently no items added to … To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Under Pope Liberius (352-366), the Arian conflict between the emperor and bishop of Rome culminated in the Synod of Arles (353), convened by Constantius II. He and co-Emperor Licinius bestowed imperial favor on Christianity through the Edict of Milan promulgated in 313. We use cookies and similar tools to enhance your shopping experience, to provide our services, understand how customers use our services so we can make improvements, and display ads. ", "Compelling... His overarching thesis provides a persuasive new paradigm. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. But in Constantine and the Bishops, historian H. A. Drake offers a fresh and more nuanced understanding of Constantine's rule and, especially, of his relations with Christians. The legend surrounding Constantine I's victory in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312) relates his vision of the Chi Rho (☧) and the text in hoc signo vinces in the sky and his reproducing this symbol on the shields of his troops. Constantine, Drake suggests, was looking not only for a god in whom to believe but also a policy he could adopt. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. It is also racily written, interesting, and hard to put down. [12], The myth of the "Donation of Constantine" is embellished further in a 5th-century hagiographic text Vita S Silvestri (or Actus S Silvestri). But in Constantine and the Bishops, historian H. A. Drake offers a fresh and more nuanced understanding of Constantine's rule and, especially, of his relations with Christians. Learn more about Import fee deposit here. [10] The Eastern bishops would have regarded Julius I as having an equal dignity to their own episcopate, but were not pleased that he took into his communion a bishop condemned by an Eastern synod.[10]. It was without any single dominant ruling officer, its elders or leaders sharing responsibility, but distributing tasks, like that of foreign correspondent. Hardcover. It was canny bribery because he made the bishops conduits for state aid to the poor. The Council of Nicaea coincided almost exactly with the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the reign of Constantine, at which, returning the compliment paid by the emperor’s attendance at their council, the bishops were honoured participants. Constantine I (Latin: Flavius Valerius Constantinus; Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος, translit. By the mid 15th century, not even the popes themselves regarded the document as genuine. [10], The chief supporter of the Nicene Creed was Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria, but in 335 he was deposed and exiled to Gaul over unrelated fears about the Egyptian corn supply to Constantinople. Historians who viewed imperial Rome in terms of a conflict between pagans and Christians have often regarded the emperor Constantine's conversion as the triumph of Christianity over paganism. Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of Intolerance by Drake, H.A.. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000. The following year Constantine and Licinius proclaimed the toleration of Christianity with the Edict of Milan, and in 325 Constantine convened and presided over the First Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council. A book for students and scholars of ancient history and religion, "Constantine and the Bishops" shows how Christian belief motivated and gave shape to imperial rule. As the ruler of the Roman Empire, Constantine hoped that Christianity could be used to unify his subjects. Constantine allegedly kept for himself only the Eastern Roman Empire. This is a stimulating book, with a persuasive thesis. Constantine's most powerful rivals for his father's position were Maximian and his son, Maxentius, who had assumed power in Italy, controlling Africa, Sardinia, and Corsica as well. Constantine and the Bishops: Author: Harold Allen Drake: Publisher: Unknown: Release Date: 2000: Category: History: Total Pages: 609: ISBN: UOM:39015047730018: Language: English, Spanish, and … Although the "Donation" never occurred, Constantine did hand over the Lateran Palace to the bishop of Rome, and begin the construction of Old Saint Peter's Basilica (the "Constantinian Basilica"). [12], De Mortibus Persecutorum ("On the Deaths of the Persecutors", chapters 34, 35), Constantine's legalization of Christianity, Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, St Michael and All Angels' Church, Ashton-under-Lyne, History of the Christian church, Volume 1, Permanent Observer to the Council of Europe, Palace of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Palace of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Pontificio Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bishops_of_Rome_under_Constantine_the_Great&oldid=990181808, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, House of Retreat for the Clergy of Saints John and Paul, This page was last edited on 23 November 2020, at 07:33. Italian humanist Lorenzo Valla further proved its falsity in 1440 by showing that its Latin language did not correspond to that of the 4th century. Uncovering the political motivations behind Constantine's policies, Drake shows how those policies were constructed to ensure the stability of the empire and fulfill Constantine's imperial duty in securing the favor of heaven. Constantine the Great's (272–337) relationship with the four Bishops of Rome during his reign is an important component of the history of the Papacy, and more generally the history of the Catholic Church. Buy Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of Intolerance (Ancient Society and History) by Drake, H. A. There's a problem loading this menu at the moment. Sylvester was succeeded by Mark (336) and Julius I (337-352) during the life of Constantine. According to the historian Theodoret (393-458), Constantine wrote: “It was, in the first place, declared improper to follow the custom of the Jews in the celebration of this holy festival, because, their hands having been stained … Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of Intolerance (Ancient Society and History) by Drake, H. A.. Click here for the lowest price! Constantine as a ‘Bishop’ - Volume 37 Issue 1-2 - W. Seston. Historians who viewed imperial Rome in terms of a conflict between pagans and Christians have often regarded the emperor Constantine's conversion as the triumph of Christianity over paganism. "A refreshingly original and powerfully argued re-conception of the issues and the forces at work in this period of the conversion not of Constantine, but of Christianity... With laser-keen insight, bold thinking, and also a large measure of wry humor, Drake has presented a plausible and powerful interpretation of this formative moment in Western history... A riveting story, and masterfully told. Try again. But in Constantine and the Bishops, historian H. A. Drake offers a fresh and more nuanced understanding of Constantine's rule and, especially, of his relations with Christians. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. 0 Items. Prime members enjoy fast & free shipping, unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Prime Video and many more exclusive benefits. "[5], Miltiades (311–314) was pope at the time of Constantine's victory, and Constantine gifted to Miltiades the Lateran Palace, where he relocated, holding a synod in 313. Constantine, Drake suggests, was looking not only for a god in whom to believe but also a policy he could adopt. Silvester did not attend the first ecumenical council, the First Council of Nicaea (325), but sent two priests as his representatives; the Western bishops of Carthage and Milan were also in attendance. "[7] When Miltiades invited fifteen additional Italian bishops to participate in the synod and ruled against the Donatists, they appealed to Constantine again, who called for a new synod in Arles, this time headed by the bishops of Arles and Syracuse. Anyone who rejoices in our Founding Fathers' constitutional conviction that church must be kept separate from state will read Constantine and the Bishops with deepest appreciation; and perhaps those who long for the opposite should read it, too. [12] Depictions include the Stavelot Triptych (c. 1165), frescoes in I Santi Quattro Coronati, stained glass in the St Michael and All Angels' Church, Ashton-under-Lyne, and—most famously—Raphael's The Baptism of Constantine in the Raphael Rooms of the Apostolic Palace. 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