Constantinople and the Roman East

EMPIRES OF FAITH HIST 1301 | History Constantinople and the Roman East Known as the Crisis of the Third Century, the third century was a time of great turmoil and transition for the Roman government. In the brief forty-nine-year period between 235 and 284 the empire was controlled by as many as twenty-six separate pretenders to the imperial throne. Roman troops frequently proclaimed and backed new rulers. Consequently, there were almost always civil wars and conflicts on the eastern boundary. Following the devaluation of currency, which resulted in the government's coins losing value over time, the price of items rose sharply, highlighting more pressing economic issues. There were phases of reform and attempts to stabilise the administration and economy as a result of the high leadership turnover, but nothing was accomplished in terms of safeguarding the empire. However, his army proclaimed Diocletian, a military officer from Illyria in the Balkans, emperor in 284. Unlike his predecessors, his reforms had a lasting effect on the empire's eventual eastward movement. In addition to himself, Diocletian shared the title augustus with a fellow emperor, and two lesser emperors were given the title caesar. The four emperors ruled together in what was known as a tetrarchy. Although there was no official geographical division of authority, every emperor or tetrarch possessed a distinct domain of influence. In addition, each had a provincial capital city close to the empire's boundaries, where he oversaw government and coordinated military defence. The tetrarchs were related by blood and law, and they used symbols to convey a strong message. In an effort to improve the economy of the empire, Diocletian also issued a number of edicts that encouraged commerce among allies and reduced inflation. For instance, he issued the Edict on Maximum Prices in 301 with two objectives. First, the decree set a maximum price at which specific items might be sold in order to prevent inflation. Second, it established fixed values for governmentissued coins to thwart currency depreciation. demonstrates the collaboration that the four co-rulers aimed to attain. The majority of the around 300 CE carved statues are indistinguishable from one another, and their inflexible features stand in stark contrast to the idealism of the classical style that had previously dominated early Roman culture. It is not clear if Diocletian intended to abdicate at some point in order to standardise the line of succession for succeeding emperors when he founded his tetrarchy. Regardless, upon the official departure of both him and his fellow emperor Maximian from office in 305, the two surviving tetrarchs were succeeded by two other junior emperors. As a result of emperors' infighting, which helped Constantine, the son of Constantius Chlorus, rise to power, civil wars soon tore through the empire. In 306, Constantine ascended to the imperial throne following the passing of his father. He left the city of York in Britannia and made his way to Italy in 312. First, he took control of the western regions. At the Battle of Milvian Bridge in Rome, he triumphed over Maxentius, his last opponent for the crown. Constantine credited the Christian God for helping him defeat Maxentius during his rule. Constantine saw a picture of the labarum, the Greek symbols "Chi" and "Rho," which make up the initial letters of "Christ," in the sky, and was told to "conquer" by this sign, according to Eusebius, the official biographer of the emperor. It is debatable if Constantine intended this message to explicitly appeal to the Christian population of the empire, but he demonstrated his Christian sympathies. But from the beginning of his rule, he conveyed a carefully calibrated message meant to appease both traditional polytheists and Christians. A new synthesis of Roman culture and Christianity, for instance, is shown in the design and inscription of Rome's Arch of Constantine, which served to balance the emperor's conflicting interests. Images from extant Roman monuments may be seen in the arch, and the language about a heavenly entity is purposefully vague. Constantine refounded Byzantium (present-day Istanbul) as Constantinople in 330 CE to commemorate his reign, and it eventually became the new imperial capital. Due to its close proximity to commercial routes and the locations of several Roman military operations, the city's position on the eastern edge of the empire was favourable. Constantine governed until his death in 337, and his sons' reigns after him solidified his legacy. They established legislation against paganism, promoted Christianity, and launched military operations to defend the empire's borders. During his reign from 361 to 363, only Julian, a nephew of Constantine, attempted a brief return to paganism in the Roman administration. In addition to writing several philosophical writings and leading a military war against the Sasanians, he implemented a number of changes. However, when Julian's army arrived at the Persian capital of Ctesiphon, the emperor was mortally wounded by a spear, and Julian's army was essentially in retreat. His passing put an end to any hopes for a revived polytheist empire. Constantine had so successfully ushered in a new period of Christian rule. For the remainder of the empire's history, its rulers were overtly Christian, serving as the de facto leaders of the church and establishing its policies.