Essay on the Conversion of Constantine

Source Analysis

This source document is an excerpt regarding the conversion of Constantine to Christianity written by Eusebius. Eusebius was a Roman historian born around 260 CE. Eusebius was very well educated, and wrote eulogies in praise of Emperor Constantine. This particular document by Eusebius chronicles Constantine’s journey to monotheism, and ultimate conversion to Christianity.

In the document, Constantine pondered what God he should trust with his safety and assistance as emperor. He came to the conclusion that all polytheistic gods have failed past emperors, and that only the “one Supreme God” had ever been beneficial to a previous emperor. Eusebius wrote, “He considered, therefore, on what God he might rely for protection and assistance. While engaged in this enquiry, the thought occurred to him, that, of the many emperors who had preceded him, those who had rested their hopes in a multitude of gods, and served them with sacrifices and offerings, had in the first place been deceived by flattering predictions, and oracles which promised them all prosperity, and at last had met with an unhappy end, while not one of their gods had stood by to warn them of the impending wrath of heaven…”. Constantine’s journey to Christianity did not end there. To solidify his new belief, Eusebius stated that Constantine witnessed a miracle; a cross of light in the sky above the sun, bearing the inscription, CONQUER BY THIS.

Constantine’s conversion to Christianity is pivotal to history, as it began the Roman Empire’s Christianization. This document relates to the reading, as it chronicles, and details Constantine’s journey and reasoning for his conversion. In the reading, it simply states, “Constantine’s conversion in 312 set the empire on the path to official Christianization”. This primary source fleshes out Constantine’s story, and offers insight not otherwise had. This document was found on the Fordham University website at...