Changes

In the year [[320]], [[Licinius]], emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, reneged on the religious freedom promised by the [[Edict of Milan]] in [[313]] and began another persecution of the Christians. This was a puzzling inconsistency since [[Constantia]], half-sister of Constantine and wife of Licinius, was an influential Christian. It became a challenge to Constantine in the west, climaxing in the great [[civil war]] of [[324]]. The armies were so large another like these would not be seen again until at least the [[14th century]]. Licinius, aided by Goth mercenaries, represented the past and the ancient faith of [[Paganism]]. Constantine and his Franks marched under the Christian standard of the ''labarum'', and both sides saw the battle in religious terms. Supposedly outnumbered, but fired by their zeal, Constantine's army emerged victorious. He was the sole emperor of the entire Roman Empire. ''(MacMullen 1969)''

This battle represented the passing of old Rome, and the beginnings of the Eastern Empire as a center of learning, prosperity, and cultural preservation. Constantine rebuilt the city of [[Byzantium]] which was founded by colonists from the Greek city of [[Megara]] under [[Byzas]] in [[667 BC]]. He renamed the city "New Rome", providing it with a [[Byzantine Senate|Senate]] and civic offices similar to the older Rome, and the new city was protected by the alleged [[True Cross]], the Rod of Moses and other holy relics. The figures of old gods were replaced and often assimilated into Christian symbolism. On the site of a temple to [[Aphrodite]] was built the new [[Basilica of the Apostles]]. Generations later there was the story that a Divine vision lead Constantine to this spot, and an angel no one else could see, led him on a circuit of the new walls. After his death it was renamed Constantinopolis (or [[Constantinople]], "Constantine's City"), and gradually became the capital of the empire. ''(MacMullen 1969)''