Edict Of Milan
The Edict of Milan or edict of Constantine, promulgated by the emperors Constantine I and Licinius in April 313 , is an edict of toleration by which everyone can "worship the deity in his own way that is in heaven" and it gives freedom of worship to all religions and allows Christians no longer have to worship the emperor as a god.
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Today the extent of the Christianization of the Empire at that time is in question, among others, by Alan Cameron and Robin Lane Fox in the U.S., and by Pierre and Claude Chuvins Lepelley France. Robin Lane Fox think that paganism is always very well established in the early fourth century and that Christianity is still a minority phenomenon. According to him, Christians represent only 312 , that 4-5% of the total population of the Empire . In Asia Minor, a proportion of 1 / 3 as Christians is possible, 10 to 20% in Africa. In 312, Christians are a minority in the Empire .
The ancient cults
During the heyday of the empire, the polytheistic religion is very extensive in its midst. This religion is very practical in the sense that, for each conquest, the gods are in addition to those already existing; examples: Toutatis (Gaul), Isis (Egypt), etc. ... which are generally open only to insiders. This system protects religious emperors and assures them the authority, placing them above the gods of polytheism. They create a cult to the emperor, as the pharaohs, gods live in Egypt.
Cults Emerging
In the first century (AD saw the birth of Augustus) beliefs are changing, people looking for spiritual salvation, while it is transported through the channels of trade, extended throughout the empire. Armies worship the god Mithra (which does not pose a problem for emperors). But the monotheistic religions appear in the East, the Persians. Manichaeism that does a lot of followers and the coming of Christianity with its "savior" that disturbs the emperor. Moreover, these religions separate religion from politics. The only god and above all authority (even imperial) is seen as a violation of power, the persecution began. Christianity is indeed spreading rapidly because the religion preaches the gospel, spiritual salvation (promise of paradise after death) and his followers enjoy rituals that fully satisfy. Christianity At the time of the Edict of Milan, Christians in the East are small communities, more or less independent of each other, mainly located in cities. Each city has its own bishop, appointed by the Christian people (in fact by the clergy and notables), its major clergy ( priests , deacons , sub-deacons) and minor (player, porters, gravediggers), its consecrated women ( Deacon ). Christianity in Egypt has already deeply penetrated into the villages. For the Christian communities of Dacia , this edict has a lesser importance, this region living in a very free Christianity from the Roman retreat to 256. Other religions
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