Classical Studies 3450E Lecture 64: Classical Studies 3450 Lecture Notes April 2 2018
10 Apr 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Other claimants: maximian"s son protests the elevation of constantine, maxentius, the son of an ex-augustus, passed over in the initial plan, uses discontent at rome to back usurpation. Constantine ascendant: while others are fighting constantine was reinforcing his position, builds up troops and defenses, solidifies loyalties, remains neutral but doesn"t alienate anyone, secures position through dynastic marriage, complex but effective, 309 313. If he had been smart he would have stayed in rome: leaves the security of rome, constantine has a vision on the eve of battle in hoc signo vinces. Constantine and religion: associated with the rise of official christianity, sol invictus, his patron deity, also links to apollo in traditional pantheon, monotheism not new to constantine, spring of 312, he asserted power of mens divinia. Divine mine : vague but flexible, the sign given to him before battle came from the christian god, he trusted in it and was victorious.
