Catholic History in Less Than Five Minutes: (2) The Age of Constantine

Film Focus: The focus of this video is the effects of the Edict of Milan on the Catholic Church. It highlights several positive and negative effects which will ultimately have ramifications for the Church in later centuries.

Text Focus: Pgs. 74, 86

Discussion Questions:

1.   How did Constantine gain power in Rome?

2.  Constantine was not a Christian himself at the time of the Edict of Milan. Why did he extend tolerance to the Christians?

3.  Besides legalizing Christianity, what other benefits did the Edict of Milan afford

Christians? What problems did this cause for the Church?

4.  How did Christianity influence Roman culture? How did the Roman culture influence Christianity?