Constantine: Dynasty, Religion and Power in the Later Roman Empire

290 Pages·2011·5.844 MB·English

by  Timothy Barnes

BBaarrnneess__ffffiirrss..iinndddd vvii 99//1144//22001133 11::0055::4433 PPMM
Constantine
BBaarrnneess__ffffiirrss..iinndddd ii 99//1144//22001133 11::0055::4422 PPMM
Blackwell Ancient Lives
At a time when much scholarly writing on the ancient world is abstract and
analytical, this series presents engaging, accessible accounts of the most influential
figures of antiquity. It re-peoples the ancient landscape; and while never losing sight
of the vast gulf that separates antiquity from our own world, it seeks to communi-
cate the delight of reading historical narratives to discover “what happened next.”
Published
Cleopatra and Egypt
Sally-Ann Ashton
Alexander the Great in his World
Carol G. Thomas
Nero
Jürgen Malitz
Tiberius
Robin Seager
King Hammurabi of Babylon
Marc Van De Mieroop
Pompey the Great
Robin Seager
The Age of Augustus, second edition
Werner Eck
Hannibal
Serge Lancel
Constantine: Dynasty, Religion and Power in the Later Roman Empire
Timothy Barnes
BBaarrnneess__ffffiirrss..iinndddd iiii 99//1144//22001133 11::0055::4422 PPMM
Constantine
Dynasty, Religion and Power
in the Later Roman Empire
Timothy Barnes
BBaarrnneess__ffffiirrss..iinndddd iiiiii 99//1144//22001133 11::0055::4422 PPMM
This paperback edition first published 2014
© 2014 Timothy Barnes
Edition history: Blackwell Publishing Ltd (hardback, 2011)
Registered Office
John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK
Editorial Offices
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA
9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK
The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK
For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about
how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell.
The right of Timothy Barnes to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in
accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988,
without the prior permission of the publisher.
Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print
may not be available in electronic books.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All
brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or
vendor mentioned in this book.
Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts
in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or
completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is
not engaged in rendering professional services and neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable
for damages arising herefrom. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services
of a competent professional should be sought.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Barnes, Timothy David.
Constantine : dynasty, religion, and power in the later Roman Empire / Timothy Barnes.
p. cm. – (Blackwell ancient lives)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4051-1727-2 (hbk. : alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-118-78275-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Constantine I, Emperor of Rome, d. 337. 2. Constantine I, Emperor of Rome, d. 337–Political
and social views. 3. Constantine I, Emperor of Rome, d. 337–Religion. 4. Emperors–Rome–
Biography. 5. Rome–Kings and rulers–Biography. 6. Rome–History–Constantine I, the Great,
306-337. 7. Royal houses–Rome–History. 8. Christianity and politics–Rome–History.
9. Church history–Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600. 10. Power (Social sciences)–
Rome–History. I. Title.
DG315.B36 2011
937′.08092–dc22
[B]
2010047212
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Cover image: Bust of Constantine. Photo © Paolo Gaetano Rocco / iStockphoto.
Cover design by Richard Boxhall Designs Associates
Set in 10/12pt Bembo by SPi Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India
1 2014
BBaarrnneess__ffffiirrss..iinndddd iivv 99//1144//22001133 11::0055::4433 PPMM
τουˆ δὴ συγγραφέωϚ ἔργον ἕν, ὡϚ ’επράχθη εἰπεˆιν
The sole task of the historian is to say how it happened
Lucian, On how history should be written 39
BBaarrnneess__ffffiirrss..iinndddd vv 99//1144//22001133 11::0055::4433 PPMM
BBaarrnneess__ffffiirrss..iinndddd vvii 99//1144//22001133 11::0055::4433 PPMM
CONTENTS
List of Illustrations ix
Preface x
Abbreviations xii
1 Introduction 1
Official Lies and the ‘Constantinian Question’ 2
The Progress of Historical Research 6
Contemporary Perspectives on Constantine 8
Coins, Inscriptions and Monuments 16
2 The Soldier and the Stable-Girl 27
The Social Status of Helena 30
The Marriage of Constantine’s Parents 33
Constantius’ Second Wife 38
The Later Life of Helena 42
3 Constantine, the Ruins of Babylon and the Court of Pharaoh 46
The Diocletianic Tetrarchy (293–305) 46
The Appointment of New Emperors 49
Constantine in the East (293–305) 51
The Dynastic Coup of 305 56
4 The Road to Rome 61
Constantine’s Proclamation and Recognition as Emperor 62
Politics and Warfare 306–310 66
The Vision of Constantine 74
The Invasion of Italy 80
Constantine in Rome and Christmas 312 83
BBaarrnneess__ffttoocc..iinndddd vviiii 99//1144//22001133 11::3399::1100 PPMM
viii CONTENTS
Constantinian Churches in Rome 85
Appendix: The Status of Constantine 306–311 89
5 Brothers-in-Law 90
Constantine and Licinius in Milan 90
Was there an ‘Edict of Milan’? 93
Towards War 97
From Cibalae (316) to Chrysopolis (324) 103
6 The Transformation of the East 107
The Foundation of Constantinople 111
An Imperial Sermon 113
The Council of Nicaea 120
A Christian Capital for a Christian Roman Empire 126
Pro-Christian Legislation 131
Constantine and Ecclesiastical Politics 140
East and West in the Fourth Century 142
7 Dynastic Politics after the Council of Nicaea 144
The Deaths of Crispus and Fausta 144
A Third Wife for Constantine? 150
The Organization of the Empire 153
Constantine’s Dynastic Plans 163
An Astrologer’s Praise of Constantine 168
Tables: Dynastic Alliances and Children of Emperors 285–337 170
Appendix: The Dynastic Marriages of 335 and 336 171
8 Epilogue 173
Appendix A: The Career of Lactantius 176
Appendix B: Galerius’ Sarmatian Victories 179
Appendix C: The Panegyrici Latini and Constantine 181
Appendix D: Eusebius, On Easter (De Sollemnitate Paschali) 185
Appendix E: Nicagoras in Egypt 192
Appendix F: Praxagoras of Athens 195
Appendix G: An Anonymous Panegyric of Constantine 198
Notes 201
Bibliography 226
Index 254
BBaarrnneess__ffttoocc..iinndddd vviiiiii 99//1144//22001133 11::3399::1100 PPMM