But even more than reuniting a vast empire and relocating its capital, arguably Constantine's most significant impact was his conversion to Christianity following his victory at the Milvian Bridge. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, one of Constantine's first moves after defeating Maxentius with — as he believed — the divine help of the Christian God, was the Edict of Milan of A.D. 313, which legalized Christianity across the Roman Empire. Prior to this edict, Christians had been widely persecuted under a number of Roman emperors, including somewhat famously Nero, Decius, and Diocletian. The Edict of Milan, however, proclaimed full religious tolerance for Christians as well as the restoration of any property that had been taken from them during the persecutions.
Constantine took on Christian bishops as advisors and educators in an attempt to better understand his new faith, and donated land and property to the bishop of Rome for a cathedral, beginning the Christian church's long and continuing connection to that city. In fact, the very first ecumenical council of the church – the Council of Nicaea– was convened by Constantine to address theological issues causing schisms within Christianity. The orthodox doctrine of the Trinity and the first official statement of faith were formulated there. While it was the later emperor Theodosius I (per Britannica) who declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire, Constantine is certainly responsible for making it the favored religion of the empire, which contributed significantly to the spread of Christianity and the prevalence and influence it continues to enjoy to this day.
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