After the death of Constantine in 337, Eusebius started writing the biography of this great Roman emperor who first adopted Christianity as the official religion of the state. The Bhagavad-Gita is believed to be completed between 4th century BCE and 4th century CE, basically from King Ashoka’s unification of India to the reign of Gupta Empire. Why did religious leaders write these texts during that time? What is their true intention? Although one may assume that Eusebius and the Bhagavad-Gita were trying to reinforce the supremacy of gods, with a close reading of Eusebius’ work and the Bhagavad-Gita, there is no doubt that they were actually fortifying the authority of rulers of that time. One can see their effort to strengthen the theocracy in that both Constantine and Arjuna were closely related to gods through direct contacts, that both Constantine and Arjuna were taking actions legitimized by gods, and that Eusebius and Sanjaya, as religious leaders, acted and spoke in such a way that would increase the credibility of …show more content…
As stated by Eusebius, Constantine called on God with “earnest prayer and supplications that he[God] would reveal to him[Constantine ] who he[God] was.” From the Bhagavad-Gita, when Krishna revealed his real form to Arjuna, Arjuna was shocked by the divine vision of universal-discipline. “My limbs sink, my mouth is parched, my body trembles, the hair bristles on my flesh”(The Bhagavad-Gita), said Arjuna. Eusebius spared no effort to describe the piety of Constantine before God. The Bhagavad-Gita seems to emphasize the insignificance of secular beings in front of divine spirit. These texts were not propaganda to justify military actions; they were simply indoctrination of religious ideas that gods is superior to materialistic
Mullin, Robert. A Short World History of Christianity. Louisiville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008. http://books.google.com/books?id=2nWP0_6gkiYC&pg=PA54&dq=constantine's conversion to christianity&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gNgCU8_BFqXC0gHZ6oD4DQ&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAg
In the story Constantine is stricken with leprosy, a disease that would often kill. It is through his conversion to Christianity, in which the pope directs him in the process of, that Constantine is cured of his illness. The story was a strategic decision on Pope Stephen II’s part that made Roman Catholicism appealing. Religion became something that could rescue him from illnesses both metaphorically and literally. The outcome of this section could benefit the pope in two ways: the pope is seen as very important to the empire for salvation, and Christianity is spread when the king adopts
Merriam- Webster online dictionary defines an epic hero as, “ A grand and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or effected by grand events.” The same dictionary also defines an epic poem as, “a story told about a hero or exciting events.” The Epic of Gilgamesh is often considered the oldest story on earth; which would make Gilgamesh, the story’s controversial main character, and the world’s oldest epic hero. This epic set a precedent for all epics to follow; it displayed most of the traits that society commonly perceives an epic hero and epic poem should have. The Epic of Gilgamesh exhibits tendencies of an epic poem through its inclusion of an epic hero, multiple gods and goddesses, and it’s vast array of settings across the world. Additionally, Gilgamesh presents attributes of an epic hero through his quest for immortality, his noble birth and his battles with superhuman foes.
The rise of Christianity in Rome did not come easily. It came with much destruction and death. The spark of Christianity in Rome came from an appearance of Martyrs in Rome. Martyrs were people that were executed for going against the common beliefs of pagan (polytheistic) ways. (Tignor, 2011, p. 286) Because of these awful executions, Christianity is said to be based off of “the blood of martyrs.” One of their main ways of spreading Christianity was through the sharing of their writings and by 300 CE there was an exceptional amount of book production throughout Rome. (Tignor, 2011, p. 289) “Christianity operated as one among many minority religions in the Roman Empire, and on several occasions experienced widespread persecution, especially under the emperors Nero (r. 54–68), Decius (r. 249–251), and Diocletian (r. 284–305). However, the situation changed radically under the emperor Constantine (r. 306–337), who in 313 issued the Edict of Milan that made Christianity a legitimate religion in the empire.” (Melton, 2010, p. 634)
According to Socrates, “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” To include, Proverbs, 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Bible). In like manner, throughout the sacred text of Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna, has a difficult time understanding life and does not want to partake in his natural-born duty as a warrior. On the other hand, Bhagavad Gita, means, “Song of the Blessed One”, and it is based on Hinduism. Hinduism is a well-known religion and The Bhagavad Gita is based on its ancient principles. However, although the sacred text of Bhadgavad
The first clear instance where Christianity is seen in Constantine's life is during his campaign against Maxentius. In the spring of 311, when Constantine was marching to Rome to battle against Maxentius, he saw a vision in the sky, a bright cross along with the words "by this sign conquer." Later that night, he had a dream in which God told him to use that sign as a safeguard to use in all of his future battles. Constantine awoke and immediately ordered his troops to inscribe the chi-rho, the sign he saw a combination of the Greek letters chi and rho, onto their shields (Constantine Converts to Christianity 312). Some historians have deemed it more appropriate to consider Constantine a patron of Christianity at this point rather than a convert as it appears that he is using it as a means to conquer and attributes his success to it rather being convicted and committed to Jesus Christ as a true Christian should (Legitimization Under Constantine). Meanwhile, at the same time that Constantine is having holy visions and dreams, Maxentius sought guidance and confirmation from pagan oracles and found a prophecy declaring the "the enemy of the Romans would parish." Emboldened by this prophecy, he left the defensive position of Rome and met Constantine at Milvian Bridge. Constantine was victorious despite having an army about a third of the size of Maxentius'. It is said that Maxentius' army became confused and scattered during the battle. Maxentius was drive...
When speaking on such higher religious obligation Christian and Hindu have similar notions of how to be a great worshiper of faith. Looking into the Hindu culture requires mind body and soul to work together to achieve a higher enlightenment in life and after life. The story of The Bhagavad-Gita emerges in historical Hindu beliefs in religion and the role of a hero. This story of a broken family through a power struggle of who rightfully deserves to be crown the kingdom. Unlike other previous stories of Gilgamesh, who only seeks his rewards in life with a history of being a legend. Justly, Odysseus is not seeking glory, but does not decline, wealth of others giving to him from praise. This story focuses on spiritual reward of known you are doing the right thing, and not dwelling on physical rewards. The paths of each story are intertwine with conflict, but the Bhagavad-Gita message of religion on a bigger reality in life is serving their god. One devotion state, “The yogi should be self-subdued, always, and stand in solitude, alone, controlled in thought and self, without desires or possessions” (740). This message is strong a worthy of any great hero who only thinks about other and practice devote religion in the Hindu culture. From Gilgamesh to Odysseus this devotion to a culture would come with hardship to worldly lust and material
Religion has always played a major role in the development of human society. This is the main reason why it has so often been used for unjust purposes. The concept of war is in complete opposition to what Islam and Christianity teach their followers. Still, by different means, religion was and is often brought into play to cater for the interests of powerful people.
Constantine was the first Roman emperor to stop Christian persecutions and unjust done over the past years and took the step to legalize Christianity along with all other religions and cults in the Roman Empire, setting peace treaties and laws that preferred individual rights to worship and follow their own religion (Carroll, 2002).
All in all, when religious war were happening the church try to verify the ethic of war, take into some wars to be self-defense. Christians justified Jesus “Prince of Peace” war-making by noting that Jesus himself used violence on at least one occasion, described “in all four gospels”. They point to Old Testament precedents, and the New Testament to open the door to force. John the Baptists declares that soldiers do not have to abandoned all military activity.
The dominant factor in an epic is the heroic main character. This character often is the son of a god or goddess and is favored by the gods. Heroic characters are also always hounded by constant tragedy which drives them to fulfill their fates. Most heroic characters are high in social status and share close contacts with the gods. All of these qualities of heroic characters show up in the characters of Aeneas from The Aeneid and Gilgamesh from the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Constantine I (February 27, 280 C.E.- May 22, 337 C.E.), also known as Constantine the Great, was the first Roman emperor to not only abolish persecution of Christians, but he was also the first to convert to Christianity in 312 A.D. Around 200 years later, in 496 A.D. Clovis I (466 C.E.- 511 C.E.), the King of the Franks, converted to Christianity, in which he was called a “new Constantine” . Constantine and Clovis’ reign through Christianity were alike in the way that they decided to convert. However, the two emperors were different in their commitment to God and their impacts on the church and state.
Constantine felt that the acceptance of Christianity would cause the religion to grow numerically and have greater influence in all areas of society. He also felt Christianity was the best religious choice for the people under his rule and beyond. Without the Edict of Milan, Christians would of been forced to continue secretly meeting in underground churches. Also, the pagan torture would have persisted and the confiscation and plundering of Christian churches would have still remained. Without the recognition of Christianity, the Christians would not have been able to maintain equal status with people from other religions.
Constantine the Great, first Christian Emperor, originator of Constantinople, creator of the Byzantine Empire, military conqueror, and honored saint, has been labeled by many the most instrumental emperor of the Roman Empire. Constantine played a crucial role in the development of Europe during the Middle Ages, and founded Christianity as the formal religion of the Roman Empire. His dynamic yet effective predominance laid the infrastructure of European development. From his humble beginnings, to his command of the Roman Empire, to his final days, Constantine’s impact on world history and Christianity has left behind an unforgettable legacy. He was described by Eusebius as “such an emperor as all history records not.” Ware compared him to, “a watershed in the history of the Church.” Additionally, Meyendorff states, “No single human being in history has contributed to the conversion of so many to the Christian faith.” Norwich declared that “No ruler in all of history has ever more fully merited his title of ‘the Great’…Constantine has serious claim to be considered the most influential man in all of history.” Some of Constantine’s notable acts in the history of Christianity was his calling of the first Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, his institution of freedom for Christianity with the Edict of Milan, and the relocation of the capital of empire from Rome to Constantinople.
Constantine’s conversion made him more tolerant of Christianity in Rome, allowing the Church to spread to other parts of his empire and to preach in public society. Constantine is praised as the emperor who made Christianity no longer anti-Roman. Had Constantine not converted and reformed Rome, the Church would have never been able to gain as much of a foothold in Rome and the West. His conversion ended the widespread persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire and greatly increased Christian power and influence in Rome. Additionally, his conversion contributed Roman law to the Catholic Heritage of the West, forming a basis of Western thought on law and justice. The time frame significant to Constantine and the Church stretches back to as early as Nero’s persecution in AD 64 all the way to after the death of Constantine in ca. AD 400, when paganism in Rome finally fell.