Constantine, Michael Grant

Constantine I (27 February between c. 272 to 282 AD – died 22 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, was Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337.  What most people remember about him is that he converted to Christianity and to be honest little else.

In his day the Roman Empire was divided into two 'Augustus,' one ruling in the east, Diocletian, and one in the west, Maximian.  Beneath them were two lesser rulers called 'Caesar.' Constantius I Chlorus the father of Constantine in the west, and Galerius in the east.  During 305 AD Diocletian and Maximian retired!  Unusual even then, and the Caesars became Augustus.  This sounds fine in theory but human nature never changes.   Constantius I Chlorus was a sick man, deservedly so as he had been attacking those living north of Hadrian's Wall.  He died soon after taking office and as is the way the Roman troops, few of whom were actually Roman by this time, called for Constantine to become Augustus.  This happened at York, then called Eboracum, and there followed a period of civil war before Constantine became sole ruler of the Empire in 324 AD, and his opponents went the way of all would-be emperors.  

A list of Emperors covering some 300 years I saw some years ago revealed that around 10 died in their beds, the rest died in unfortunate circumstances.

The new Emperor had to reform the army, soon to be almost under total Germanic control, into a defence and border control authority.  he amended the currency and separated the military and civil authorities, normal government you might say, though always according to his wishes. 

In October 312 Constantine defeated the 'would-be' Emperor Maxentius at the 'Battle of the Milivian Bridge.'  The stories re Constantine and this battle are covered by the 'fog of war' and propaganda.  Long before Constantine like other Emperors had encouraged toleration of religion, including Christians.  Here however, we find the soldiers shields had the sign ☧ engraved upon them, and Constantine claimed, according to some, that he had a dream of the cross with the words 'In this sign you shall conquer,' which led him to believe Jesus was with him.

The truth is so well hidden by the ages it is hard to know what really occurred here.  

However, Constantine himself believed that Christianity was the way forward, though with a mass of pagan believers in his Empire he was not going to favour one before the rest, though he made it clear what he thought.

Was this Christianity as we know it?  His theology was poor and somewhat embarrassing for the Bishops who now surrounded him.  It is likely he would fail to become a Baptists preacher in this day and age.  However, while he urged 'unity' amongst all, and saw 'unity' in the churches, once in power the lack of unity caused by theological arguments (whish were beyond him) disheartened him greatly.

Major points such as 'Arianism,' dominated the church, and in some places still does, and the Latins and Greeks varying forms would drive him mad today.

However, the quality of the church was lessened by ecclesiastical hierarchy, the introduction of pomp copied from Byzantium, candles and robes abounding all of which has an effect on the churches today.

Constantine took over Byzantium and created a city in his own image.  

A great deal of building was required, people were forced into the city, mostly pagan of course, and this was to be the great centre of the new powerhouse for over a thousand years.   

The Emperor was brutal at times, his son Crispus, and Fausta were both eliminated for dubious reasons, though inheritance possibly was involved.  This also indicated what would happen to any son who thought he could remove the ruler!

Wars to the north and with Persia in the east were dealt with in varying fashion.  People are always on the move.  Migration has always been part of life, we forget this.  Wars, disaster, greed are all to be found as a cause of migration.  It was no different for Constantine and his problem with the various Goths to the north, tribes in north Africa, and the Armenians and Persian to the east.

During 337 the Emperor realised his illness was a fatal one and requested Baptism.  Partly he had avoided this so as to avoid upsetting important pagans, also at the time it was thought that sin after baptism was unforgiven, and so he wished to be baptised close to his death.  The Bishop who baptised his was Arian, revealing his theological understanding.  

A full life and a powerful one, but not as Christian as some would like.

Michael Grants book hopes to help us understand all about this man.  This is made difficult by the lack of trustworthy records.  Most available either laud Constantine for his Christian works, or denounce him for upsetting pagans.  Neither appear balanced.  Coins indicate many of his events, the shields of his army also, archaeology tries to help but many of the buildings he erected have been destroyed or rebuilt.  Even those at the Holy Sepulchre and in Nazareth built by his mother Helena, have been amended over the years.  Few remain.  No matter how great a man you are soon afterwards you are forgotten.

Michael Grants book I found a wee bit harder than expected because he tries to offer all the arguments, all the possible dates, and all evidence and speculation on offer.  While this is good it also gets a wee bit confusing, especially where names are concerned.  This however, may be by advancing senility rather the the authors fault.

I read the book quite quickly in spite of these things and would recommend this to others.  I must say however, that I would like another book on this man to see a different opinion.  

But maybe that is just me.

Friday Wander

Wandering about Camolodunum today I discovered the Orthodox Church of St Helen tucked away round the back streets.  Greek Orthodox do appear in many byways in the UK, one in Bayswater was a large and wealthy church with all the top people attending, this sadly is somewhat run down today.  The picture makes it look better than it is (adjusting white balance to shade does this) and I was disappointing for the people there as it must cost a bit to maintain.
I was glad of the cool rest on a muggy day and took one or two shots and sat and looked around me. As the do the place was covered with icons, something I can never comprehend.  To me the book says read the book, baptism and Lords table, anything else, no matter how long it has been in vogue, is needless.  Yet in Orthodox circles such abound.  I wanted to take a few more shots but was disturbed by some unsmiling Mediterranean patrons who arrived, mother kissing several icons, dad another, all glaring at stranger.  I attempted to exchange a few words but was not made welcome and moved elsewhere.

The church was originally built in the eighth century possibly by King Offa of Mercia (the English Midlands) who had overlordship here.  The building was erected upon the foundations of a Roman theatre, this being the actors end, the ground rising behind.  Just a few doors up there is a small unopen museum where some remains can be glimpsed as can this model.

After the Boudicca revolt, she was upset when the Roman governor slapped her around, raped her daughters and grabbed her land, she was irked enough to burn down Verulanium (St Albans) Londinium (London) and Camolodunum (Colchester) and all those within, so the Romans strengthened the walls of the town, butchered most of her people and settled down in their new theatre.  Walls around the town were added quickly, just in case.
So the church was built on the foundations of the ruin and thin red Roman bricks can be seen in the walls.  Something seen on so many churches in Essex, old Roman villas are often reused. 
The Normans rebuilt what is now known as Colchester castle, although it was never really such, and around 1079 rebuilt the church which was a bit run down.  The reformation removed all the needless stuff and the building served many purposes until once again restored during Victorian days.  The Orthodox looking for a building now rent this from the Anglican owners and this gets used regularly after some years of standing empty or being used as a store.  How can such old buildings be used this way? 
Some believe St Helen, the mother of Constantine was born in King Coel's Castle, Colchester Castle, and this may be true I know not, she was probably born in Asia minor however.  She dug deep under Constantine's original Church of the Holy Sepulchre and found pieces of the 'Holy Cross.'  I have been down the steps leading to this area and have my doubts personally.  The idea of his mum with pick and shovel digging down intrigues me however.  British connection exists with this pair however as Constantine was declared Emperor while at York while his father Constantius Chlorus was governor of Britain.
Typical Yorkies!
The East Saxons living here by the way gave us the term 'Essex' and the present Essex County badge features three Seax's, the curved sword loved by the locals at the time. Some would love having one today if you ask my opinion.

Standing outside the 'castle' today you get a real understanding of the defensive position.  High on hills on three sides once the Roman walls went up it was very strong indeed.  The Romans of course never took the place by force, the locals in Kent and Essex welcomed the advantages Rome could bring and those that didn't got chopped.  The town had many Romanised locals and ex-soldiers residing their in safety until the man upset Boudicca.   After that a more Roman approach was adopted.

The comparison between Colchester and Chelmsford intrigued me today.  Chelmsford, the County Town (now City) is boring, however it is clean for the most part and while there are a few dregs walking the streets on the whole it is quite decent.  Colchester on the other hand is at first sight dingy, crowded and features many who appear either disreputable or had great social needs.
I have never seen beggars in Chelmsford but they exist in Colchester.  There are a great number who at first sight would be happy to appear on the 'Jeremy Kyle' show, other painted hussies of unclear age look like they have walked out of 'Eastenders' after having received too much make up and clothes clearly too young and too small for their wrinkles.  The nature of the narrow Roman like streets does not help even if it lends more attractiveness to the town than you find in Chelmsford.  Here at least a wide variety of small shops exist, some prospering for a decent time, but a dreich day gives the place a dingy look.
Having said that the area on the other side of the High Street slipping steeply downhill contains many houses going back hundreds of years, or at least newer homes built in similar style, this area known as the 'Dutch Quarter' after the Fleming's and others from France and Flanders escaping Spanish or other oppression in the fifteenth century.  Much of Essex gained from these immigrants, most of whom were weavers or dealers in the wool and cloth trade.  We might benefit from those immigrants arriving today by the way.   
Strangely I prefer the variety of shops in Colchester, many of them and a good selection, but it is a bit in need of a good clean.  Chelmsford has its uses but it is boring, just a big shopping centre and little else.

On the wall of one of those houses I found this and it reminded me of those similar signs once used in days before a fire service.  The householder would insure his house against fire with one company, a sign would be placed on the wall, if a fire broke out he would call the company and men would arrive to save the house.  No sign, no firefighting!  Edinburgh I believe was the first city to introduce a proper fire service, and I am not surprised.

Byzantium

This book offers a 'short' history of Byzantium, one of the most famous and in my experience most unknown ancient cities of the world.  We know a lot about Egypt, Greece and Rome but almost nothing about Byzantium and the Greek influenced Mediterranean area after the first couple of centuries A.D. The later Muslim takeover, the influence of the Roman church and self absorption within Europe probably accounts for this.  We have all heard of this city, we roughly know where it lies, how the name changed to first Constantinople and then Istanbul, but apart from sunning ourselves in Bodrum and a passing visit heading for the airport very few bother much about Turkey or this major city.  

So when I discovered this book selling for 50 pence in a Colchester charity shop I decided it was time to take advantage and learn something.  Honestly the price was not the biggest mover here though it helped.  I,.. er, must add that as they had a book sale on I only paid 20 pence and with almost 400 pages that sounds OK to me!  

There are good things and bad things about this book. The author John Julius Norwich has been a renown voice on radio and television, and he has indeed an excellent voice for radio, a voice which can be heard as you plough through the book, and this is a good thing.  The knowledge he imparts fills the empry space in my mind, covering an area unknown to many of us.  The bad thing is that the need to cover the history stretching from the days of Diocletian in the year A.D. 284 all the way to Constantine XI Palaeologus in A.D.1453 by necessity leaves only room for the arrivals and departures of each Emperor.  After a few hundred years this becomes a little wearing.  The emperor is ageing, fading, useless, too powerful, so a son, cousin, general, rebel, distant claimant, arrives and disposes of the incumbent by deceit, knife, sword, poison, helped by wife, daughter, son, general or whatever and takes his place.  He reigns successfully, badly, for a long or short time when he in turn is replaced in one way or another.  The man in charge may or may not be a man of integrity, some indeed put the needs of the empire before their own, but this shortened version of the history can only pass quickly over the adventures which may have covered a term of many years. Not only can we only hear about the top people we cannot have much idea of the life of the man in the street.  What we do learn is that the peasants, and many were just that, could make their voice heard, especially where their preferred religion was concerned.  Riots could occur easily and if the bread and circuses which entertained them in between famine, war and plague ceased they could happily burn down the town.  Happy days.

When Constantine decided to make use of the Christian religion he not only enabled Christians to walk freely in the land he also turned it from a loose collection of churches seeking God to a religious organisation, an ecclesiastical hierarchy in which power and ambition replaced worship. Theological argument ceased to be based on the Messiah's teaching and belonged to theologians spread across the Mediterranean.  'Elders,' were replaced by 'priests,' and celibacy for no good reason became standard practice, possibly influenced by pagan beliefs ensuring the 'priests' were seen as important and above the ordinary.  Dress and ceremony became less about worship and more about presentation.  Candles, widely used in Byzantine royal pomp appeared in the church, fashions changed but church leaders dress did not, all to emphasise their superiority and importance, not God.  The great divide between Rome and the Greek based Orthodox churches arose more from ambition than God and has lasted until this day, yet the reformation is even yet ignored and indeed opposed by such!  Other heresies brought division and danger, the Arian heresy bringing much conflict also, again from church theology and not scripture truth. Wars were fought, tortures aplenty applied, cities devastated and thousands perished all because such religion was used as a power base by various men. The people supporting whatever side they were born on at the time.  How many ever read the scriptures, how many could read?

The Crusades come along also.  Vast armies travel overland seeking to escape purgatory by fighting the Muslim.  Forty thousand began the first and this motley collection of vagabonds, thieves, chancers and escapees raped and pillaged their way across Europe and Turkey, fighting with the Byzantine forces 'escorting' them.  These ended their days in Cilicia, slaughtered by the first enemy army that they met.  Byzantium suffered more from Crusaders than Mohammed ever did!  Indeed many leaders of Muslim forces behaved in a more civil manner than any 'Christian' Knight ever did.  The Knights were more intent for selfish glory and a parcel of land to rule over rather than removing the infidel from Jerusalem.  Most just liked killing people, who they killed didn't really matter.

I avoid referring to any specific emperor bar Constantine, who was at York when he was declared emperor by the way, as there are hundreds of them, covering both the east and west sides of the empire, various patriarchs of the Greek church, popes aplenty, and far too many names to indulge any here.  That in itself tells us something.  The city of Byzantium stood for well over a thousand years and was not overthrown until Sultan Mehmet, then aged just 21, took the city in 1453.  The walls were so strong, the position so strong that defence was comparitively easy, as long as food and water held out.  

Visiting crusader armies, peasants living in stone built huts with turfed roofs, knights in grander houses and castles, gazed in wonder at the mighty buildings in this city.  The splendour was to overpower many of them, indeed the Crusaders occupied the city and ruled, against the peoples wishes, for some time.  The richly dressed leading citizens, the pomp of the Emperor, the bejeweled populace made Europe appear dingy and covetousness arose among the Crusaders.  The majority of citizens in any empire live bleak lives, the wars that destroy their towns or farmlands, famine, the need to fight someones wars, the recurring plagues all tend to keep the people in need of leadership.  Hmm sounds a bit like the UK today I hear you say!  However when it came to pomp, art, and splendid architecture Byzantium possibly led the world.  Tribute from all around filled the city, art flourished, Santa Sophia still stands as a tribute to this, and yet in the UK we know so little about this past.   

I appear to have wandered around.  My mind has done that a lot recently. However I found this book well worth a read simply because I knew nothing about this great city and while the somewhat crushed royal history can be wearing it does reveal why the Balkans turned out as they did, that life is a constant war and we ought to be thankful for the years of peace we have enjoyed, and now I have a slightly better understanding of this ancient and almost ignored empire that affected our civilisation so much without our noticing. 

  

Constantine the Great