HIST 331,    Medieval Mediterranean
(Also listed as CORE 365, JC)

Spring Semester 2008

Presentation 1:

Constantine, Paganism, and the Jews

The presentation will examine the evidence and explore how Constantine's conversion to Christianity influenced the religious, political, and cultural milieu of the Roman world, particularly the status of Jews and pagans.  The presentation itself may take any form, but must incorporate in some way the following readings:

Primary sources:

• Constantine establishes Constantinople
• Constantine I: Laws for Christians
• Jews and the Later Roman Law
• Julian the Apostate and the Jews
• Ambrose: Dispute with Symmachus

Secondary works:

• Scott Bradbury, "Constantine and the Problem of Anti-Pagan Legislation in the Fourth Century," Classical Philology 89 (1994): 120-139. Stable url:
  http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0009-837X%28199404%2989%3A2%3C120%3ACATPOA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-P
• H. A. Drake, "Constantine and Consensus," Church History 64 (1995): 1-15. Stable url: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0009-6407%28199503%2964%3A1%3C1%3ACAC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-9
• H. A. Drake, "Lambs into Lions: Explaining Early Christian Intolerance." Past and Present 153 (1996): 3-36. Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0031-2746%28199611%290%3A153%3C3%3ALILEEC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-D
• Solomon Grayzel, "The Jews and Roman Law." The Jewish Quarterly Review (N.S.) 59 (1968): 93-117. Stable url: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0021-6682%28196810%292%3A59%3A2%3C93%3ATJARL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-8
• G. W. Bowersock, "From Emperor to Bishop: The Self-Conscious Transformation of Political Power in the Fourth Century A.D." Classical Philology 81 (1986): 298-307. Stable url: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0009-837X%28198610%2981%3A4%3C298%3AFETBTS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-C
   

Some suggestions for class participation/discussion:

• Role play: Divide your fellow students into three groups: pagans, Jews, and Christians. Explain to each group separately how Constantine's new policies will affect their daily lives. Then present to the entire class Constantine's Laws, and solicit their reactions.
• Debate: Attempt to define Constantine's definition of religious tolerance, based upon the Edict of Milan and in light of his later actions.
• Elicit reaction: Does knowing more about Constantine's religious policies change your perception of the history of Christianity? Explain the basis for your reaction.

Prepared 10 January 2003

Updated January 09, 2008

T. Vann

Department of History / College of Saint Benedict/St. John's University