The Roman Empire under Constantine (Grade 5). The Board of Constantine in the Roman Empire

Sole power over the empire went to the new emperor very hard, after a long and bitter struggle with the generals at the dawn of the 4th century. The era of Constantine rule began in the Roman Empire. He managed to organize his power so firmly and managed so decisively that the rest of the rulers, like his predecessors and successors, were no match for him.

Innovations

What form of government was the Roman Empire under Constantine? Absolute monarchy. He wanted to have absolute power, but for this it was necessary to change self-awareness and, in modern terms, to think about a new image. Like his predecessor, the founder of the tetrarchy's stylization and the supporter of the rise of imperial power Diocletian, the new emperor continued and significantly strengthened the direction chosen by his predecessor, from this the distance of the principles of Augustus's government increased even more.

Under the new imperial rule, the elements of the symbolism of power underwent changes. This grip can only be envied. The innovation was that he took over the representations from the Eastern, Greek and Christian worlds at once. Contradictions that arise in this case, Constantine did not care. Naturally, they could not get along in a harmonious synthesis, they could not make up their own traditions, which had their own traditions, therefore they were in general connected with a new state founded by Constantine himself.

External superiority

These innovations and the success associated with them, could not but affect the external features of the emperor, who strove to emphasize his magnificence. Constantine no longer wanted to wear a Roman toga, but demanded an ornate tunic. I also wanted to change the outfit: a simple soldier's shell of emperors, he replaced with luxurious armor. When he went on a campaign, he wore a shell of gold and a magnificent helmet. A little later, having marked his twenty-year reign, began to appear in public in a diadem, which for Rome acquired the significance of the symbol of absolute imperial power.

Propaganda of victory

External exaltation was expressed in the construction of colossal statues, inscriptions and images on coins. There is also a connection of various details. For example, the proximity to the portraits of the predecessors, Augustus and Alexander the Great, and the appearance in the images of a halo above the head. External claims to the world size of the empire reflected on the many symbols of eternity, in which Constantine included himself. The "ruler of the world" was thus glorified as the victor of all nations.

The Roman Empire under Constantine propagandized the victory over the Sarmatians and Goths, the Franks and the Alamannians. Also, the universal qualities of the winner were rooted in the minds of people. Interestingly, the title of Constantine ("Invincible") was replaced by "Winner" - this sounds more active. Also characteristic of his rejection of the element of the divine title or attribute, because he united all religions.

Cult of the Emperor

The Roman Empire under Constantine faced a choice: whether to continue the traditional views on the form of government or not? It was a contradiction and would become incompatible with Christian views. One god knows what it cost the emperor to compromise. He permits the erection of a temple in honor of the Flavian dynasty, that is, in fact, in his honor. But with the reservation that the structure should not be tarnished by any criminal and impious superstitions. He also does not interfere with the organization of regular theater and gladiatorial shows.

Justice

The Roman Empire under Constantine began to obey the new laws. The determination of Constantine in power affected the interference in legislation and justice. By a decision that was carried out in 318, he gave the imperial edicts a legal quality that was higher than the accepted norms. The main provisions of the legislation, focus and style were not unified. In them extreme brutality with unexpected concessions and humanitarian tendencies coexisted with respect for traditional concepts of law.

Extreme measures against those who violated the law differed the Roman Empire under Constantine. Grade 5 - that's when the school is studying this topic. The punishment could be applied, which consisted in sewing in a sack with snakes, after which it was thrown into the abyss or the sea. But such radical measures were taken only with regard to the kidnappers of children and livestock, parricides and thieves. Also horrified death penalty. By law, the violation of marital fidelity, love affair and marriages with unequal self (that is, between the free and the slave) were punishable by death.

But also in another decree it was said that those who are sentenced to gladiatorial battles or mines should not be branded on their faces, since the image created in the heavenly likeness should not be spoiled. From the same series, the law that a prisoner can see sunlight once a day.

The Roman Empire under the emperor Constantine remained a slave state, the institution of slavery remained unchanged. But the amendments were made, in particular, Constantine called for moderate treatment of slaves, limiting their punishment. Also, slaves, who created families, could not forcibly be separated during the sale. The social sphere has improved thanks to guardianship laws that expanded the rights of guardians. Measures were taken in favor of the children who were planted.

The Roman Empire under Constantine

Briefly his activities can be described as follows:

• Forced measures to protect the state from the constant incursions of barbarians became the need to keep large armies on the borders. The Greeks and Romans called the barbarians a people whose language and manners they did not recognize and did not understand, considering them rude and uneducated. Especially the provinces of the western part of the empire, the German tribes were spiteful . Roman commanders needed a strong and to fight for the throne.
• Attach the columns to the ground. Colons began to live even worse, because they now had to not only give part of the harvest to the owner of the land, but also pay a tax to the imperial treasury. Therefore, they began to scatter wherever. The emperor issued a decree, in which he forbade the colonists to leave the sites for which they were secured. Their children were to receive the same land that their parents were processing.
• Also created the conditions for the development of the Christian faith Roman Empire under Constantine (grade 5 school program gives knowledge about this). When Constantine ruled, there were more Christians. Believers of each city chose a priest. Gathered together, the priests determined the chief, regional leader of Christians, he became known as bishop (supervisor). The mission of the latter was to convince the authorities of Rome that Christians are not dangerous and pray for them and their servants. In the end, Constantine realized that they did not call on the people to act against his throne and his empire. Therefore, he issued a decree permitting Christians to openly pray and build temples.

New capital

What is history telling us about (class 5)? The Roman empire under Constantine was divided into two parts. The emperor himself did not like Rome, so he lived in other cities. He moved the capital from Rome to the Greek city of Byzantium, which was located on the shores of the Bosporus. Two paths crossed here, water and land. The new capital began to change before our eyes: palaces and houses were built, water pipes with baths, theaters with circuses, and also Christian churches. The city was luxuriously decorated - from the Empire were brought beautiful statues and columns. It happened in 330, at this time the capital of the Roman Empire moved to Constantinople.