Edict of Milan

Constantine Chiaramonti Inv1749

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Edict of Milan

The Edict of Milan refers to a proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the result of a political agreement concluded in February AD 313 between Constantine the Great, ruler of the Western Roman Empire, and Licinius, who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire. This pivotal moment in history marked the end of the period of persecution against Christians and laid the foundation for Christianity to become the dominant religion of the Roman Empire and, subsequently, of Western civilization.

Background

Prior to the Edict of Milan, Christians in the Roman Empire faced periods of intense persecution. The reasons for persecution varied, including the Christians' refusal to worship the Roman gods, which was seen as an act of treason against the state and its divine emperor. The Great Persecution, which began under Emperor Diocletian in 303, was the most severe. Christians were systematically arrested, their property seized, and they were subjected to torture and execution.

Proclamation

The exact circumstances leading to the proclamation of the Edict of Milan are not fully documented. However, it is known that Constantine and Licinius met in Milan in AD 313 and agreed to treat the Christians benevolently. While the edict itself has not survived, references to it in other documents suggest that it granted Christians the freedom to practice their religion without interference and ordered the restitution of confiscated property to Christians.

Significance

The Edict of Milan is considered a critical event in the history of Christianity. By officially recognizing Christianity, it not only ended the persecution of Christians but also set the stage for Christianity to spread throughout the empire. The edict allowed for a significant shift in the cultural and religious landscape of the Roman Empire, with Christian communities flourishing openly for the first time.

Furthermore, the edict had profound implications for the relationship between the church and state. It marked the beginning of a series of events that would eventually lead to Christianity becoming the state religion under Emperor Theodosius I in 380 AD with the Edict of Thessalonica.

Legacy

The legacy of the Edict of Milan is complex. While it represented a significant advancement in religious freedom and tolerance, the eventual establishment of Christianity as the state religion led to the persecution of other religions and heretical Christian sects. Nonetheless, the edict is celebrated as a milestone in the history of religious freedom and is often cited as a foundational moment for the principle of separation between church and state.

See Also

• Constantine the Great
• Licinius
• Christianity in the Roman Empire
• Religious tolerance