Constantine Dynasty, Religion and Power in the Later Roman Empire

by Barnes, Timothy D.

• ISBN13: 9781405117272
• ISBN10: 1405117273
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-05-06
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Drawing on recent scholarly advances and new evidence, Timothy Barnes offers a fresh and exciting study of Constantine and his life. First study of Constantine to make use of Kevin Wilkinsonrs"s re-dating of the poet Palladas to the reign of Constantine, disproving the predominant scholarly belief that Constantine remained tolerant in matters of religion to the end of his reign Clearly sets out the problems associated with depictions of Constantine and answers them with great clarity Includes Barnesrs" own research into the marriage of Constantiners"s parents, Constantiners"s status as a crown prince and his fatherrs"s legitimate heir, and his dynastic plans

Author Biography

Timothy Barnes is Emeritus Professor of Classics at the University of Toronto. He is the author of Constantine and Eusebius (1981), The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine (1982), Athanasius and Constantius, Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993), Ammianus Marcellinus and the Representation and Historical Reality (1998), and Early Christian Hagiography and Roman History (2010). He is also the author of many fundamental scholarly articles on the history of the Roman Empire.

Table of Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

Official Lies and the ?Constantinian Question?

The Progress of Historical Research

Contemporary Perspectives on Constantine

Coins, Inscriptions and Monuments

The Soldier and the Stable-Girl

The Social Status of Helena

The Marriage of Constantine?s Parents

Constantius? Second Wife

The Later Life of Helena

Constantine, the Ruins of Babylon and the Court of Pharaoh

The Diocletianic Tetrarchy (293-305)

The Appointment of New Emperors

Constantine in the East (293-305)

The Dynastic Coup of 305

The Road to Rome

Constantine?s Recognition as a Legitimate Emperor

Politics and Warfare 306-310

The Vision of Constantine

The Invasion of Italy

Constantine in Rome and Christmas 312

Constantinian Churches in Rome

Annex: The Legal Status of Constantine, 306-311

Brothers-in-Law

Constantine and Licinius in Milan

Was there an ?Edict of Milan??

Towards War

From Cibalae (316) to Chrysopolis (324)

The Transformation of the East

The Foundation of Constantinople

An Imperial Sermon

The Council of Nicaea

A Christian Capital for a Christian Roman Empire

Pro-Christian Legislation

Constantine and Ecclesiastical Politics

East and West in the Fourth Century

Dynastic Politics after the Council of Nicaea

The Deaths of Crispus and Fausta

A Third Wife for Constantine?

The Organisation of the Empire

Constantine?s Dynastic Plans

An Astrologer?s Praise of Constantine

Epilogue

Tables A. Marriage Alliances and Children: Members of the Imperial College 293-311

B. Children and Grandchildren of Constantius, the Father of Constantine

C. The Dynastic Marriages of 335 and 336

Appendices 1. The Career of Lactantius

Galerius? Sarmatian Victories

The Panegyrici Latini and Constantine

Eusebius, On Easter (De Solemnitate Paschali)

Nicagoras in Egypt

Praxagoras of Athens

An Anonymous Panegyric of Constantine Notes

Bibliography

Index

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