The Roman Empire in the Middle Ages is predominantly known for its religious reforms and impact on the history of the religious community as a whole. However most of the standards and ideals that are so strongly relied upon from this era descend from the earlier pre-christian Roman Empire. One of the first major initiatives in the religious aspect of the Roman Empire is the signing of the Edict of Milan by Emperor Constantine the Great in the West and Licinius Augustus in the East.
The Edict of Milan was a letter issued in 313 AD by the emperors Constantine and Licinius proclaiming religious toleration in the Roman Empire; therefore marking the end of persecutions of Christians that had been implemented by the emperor Diocletian. The edict granted all persons the freedom to worship whatever deity they please, assured the Christians of legal rights and instructed the return of confiscated property to Christians. This freedom of christianity grew among the emperors, leading to the later Edict of Thessalonica in 380 AD. The Edict of Thessalonica, also known as Cunctos populos, ordered all subjects of the Roman Empire to profess the faith of the bishops of Rome and Alexandria, making Nicene Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. This strong perusal of Christianity in the Roman Empire led to the indifference of acceptance of religion in this era for the Empire. …show more content…
With the widespread implication of Nicene Christianity throughout the Empire came many beliefs that, although founded from the same ideals and principles of Nicene Christianity, slightly differed in order to create a heretical religion in the eyes of the Empire. This notion of beliefs offsetting the “true”religion being practiced upon the empire was seen as disobeying the religion and the words of god. The three main groups who were primarily know for this heresy were Manichaeism, Donatism and Curculcelians. Manichaeism was seen as a heresy for a few different reason but particularly for its dualism; proposing a belief in two oppositional, eternal, equal powers of good and evil. Along with its disregard for the Old Testament and Gnostic-style doctrine of salvation by knowledge. Following the Manichaeism form of heresy was that of Donatism, mostly identified by their hatred of “traitors”. They variad from orthodox christianity in their belief that sanctity was a requisite for church membership and administration of sacraments. The Donatists regarded catholic church as compromised because some of its bishops had betrayed their faith during persecution; and believed that only those who are morally pure can be members of the church. Lastly, the Circumcellions were of strong Donatist beliefs but were willing to display by any means necessary, therefore growing in violence throughout their influence. Although the Donatists attempts to distance themselves with that of the violence involved with the Circumcellions, many in the Church and the Imperial administration perceived them as embracing of the group’s violent methods. In the attempt to shut down these heresy groups and restore the empire to a Nicene Christianity state Augustine argued the use of non-coercive persuasion. He did this through preaching campaigns, debates and public conferences. Augustine continuously argued the need to suppress the heresy without physical coercion and stay true to the religion by the words of god, without harm. Although over time Augustine began giving in to these pressures
The Edict of Milan was a letter issued in 313 AD by the emperors Constantine and Licinius proclaiming religious toleration in the Roman Empire; therefore marking the end of persecutions of Christians that had been implemented by the emperor Diocletian. The edict granted all persons the freedom to worship whatever deity they please, assured the Christians of legal rights and instructed the return of confiscated property to Christians. This freedom of christianity grew among the emperors, leading to the later Edict of Thessalonica in 380 AD. The Edict of Thessalonica, also known as Cunctos populos, ordered all subjects of the Roman Empire to profess the faith of the bishops of Rome and Alexandria, making Nicene Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. This strong perusal of Christianity in the Roman Empire led to the indifference of acceptance of religion in this era for the Empire. …show more content…
With the widespread implication of Nicene Christianity throughout the Empire came many beliefs that, although founded from the same ideals and principles of Nicene Christianity, slightly differed in order to create a heretical religion in the eyes of the Empire. This notion of beliefs offsetting the “true”religion being practiced upon the empire was seen as disobeying the religion and the words of god. The three main groups who were primarily know for this heresy were Manichaeism, Donatism and Curculcelians. Manichaeism was seen as a heresy for a few different reason but particularly for its dualism; proposing a belief in two oppositional, eternal, equal powers of good and evil. Along with its disregard for the Old Testament and Gnostic-style doctrine of salvation by knowledge. Following the Manichaeism form of heresy was that of Donatism, mostly identified by their hatred of “traitors”. They variad from orthodox christianity in their belief that sanctity was a requisite for church membership and administration of sacraments. The Donatists regarded catholic church as compromised because some of its bishops had betrayed their faith during persecution; and believed that only those who are morally pure can be members of the church. Lastly, the Circumcellions were of strong Donatist beliefs but were willing to display by any means necessary, therefore growing in violence throughout their influence. Although the Donatists attempts to distance themselves with that of the violence involved with the Circumcellions, many in the Church and the Imperial administration perceived them as embracing of the group’s violent methods. In the attempt to shut down these heresy groups and restore the empire to a Nicene Christianity state Augustine argued the use of non-coercive persuasion. He did this through preaching campaigns, debates and public conferences. Augustine continuously argued the need to suppress the heresy without physical coercion and stay true to the religion by the words of god, without harm. Although over time Augustine began giving in to these pressures