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Year 4

Constantine's conversion to Christianity

I can explain why the Romans’ acceptance of Christianity changed during Constantine's rule.

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New
New
Year 4

Constantine's conversion to Christianity

I can explain why the Romans’ acceptance of Christianity changed during Constantine's rule.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. By 312 CE, Constantine had become the emperor of the Western Roman Empire by defeating his rivals in many battles.
  2. Before one of these battles he had a vision of a cross; he ordered his soldiers to paint crosses on their shields.
  3. Constantine converted to Christianity, saying all religions could be practised and Christians should not be persecuted.
  4. In 324 CE, Constantine became sole emperor of the Roman Empire and in 330 CE created a new eastern capital.
  5. In 325 CE, Constantine brought together Christian bishops to try to agree the first set of rules about Christianity.

Common misconception

Constantine forced everyone in the Roman Empire to be Christian during his rule.

Constantine issued a law, the Edict of Milan, that protected all faiths from religious persecution so that everyone in the Roman Empire could practise the religion they wanted.

Keywords

  • Emperor - an emperor is a ruler of an empire

  • Convert - to convert to a new religion or belief is to change to a different religion or belief

  • Rival - a rival is a person who competes with someone else to get what only one of them can have

  • Vision - a vision is a dream or idea in your imagination

  • Bishop - a bishop is a religious leader in some Christian churches

For learning cycle 3, read the Nicene Creed with the pupils to understand its significance. It addresses key theological issues of the time, particularly the nature of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Place the historical periods in the correct order.
1 - the Roman kingdom
2 - the Roman Republic
3 - the Roman Empire
4 - the Roman Empire splits in two
5 - the fall of the Western Roman Empire
6 - the end of the Eastern Roman Empire
Q2.
What is Christianity?
a religion based on the teachings of Muhammad (PBUH)
Correct answer: a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ
a religion based on the teachings of Buddha
Q3.
Match the word to its meaning.
Correct Answer:legacy,something that left a lasting impact on history

something that left a lasting impact on history

Correct Answer:religion,belief in a god or gods

belief in a god or gods

Correct Answer:persecution,to be treated badly because of your religion, race or beliefs

to be treated badly because of your religion, race or beliefs

Q4.
The Eastern Roman Empire was also known as the Empire.
Ottoman
British
Correct answer: Byzantine
Russian
Q5.
Why were early Christians persecuted in the Roman Empire?
Correct answer: They refused to worship Roman gods.
They worshipped only Roman gods.
Correct answer: They refused to worship the emperor as a god.
They worshipped the emperor as a god.
Q6.
The capital of the Byzantine Empire was...
London
Athens
Rome
Correct answer: Constantinople

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who was the first Christian Roman emperor?
Diocletian
Julius Caesar
Augustus
Correct answer: Constantine
Q2.
Match the keyword to its definition.
Correct Answer:emperor,a ruler of an empire

a ruler of an empire

Correct Answer:rival,a person who competes with someone else

a person who competes with someone else

Correct Answer:bishop,a religious leader in some Christian churches

a religious leader in some Christian churches

Q3.
Put the events about Constantine's life in the correct order.
1 - As a child, he witnessed the persecution of Christians.
2 - Before the Battle of Milvian Bridge, he had a vision of a cross in the sky.
3 - Constantine converted to Christianity.
4 - He became the emperor of the Western Roman Empire by defeating his rival.
5 - In 324 CE, Constantine became sole emperor of the Roman Empire.
6 - He brought together Christian bishops to agree the rules about Christianity.
Q4.
Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium, which he renamed...
Rome
Correct answer: Constantinople
London
Contantius
Q5.
What was the Edict of Milan?
Correct answer: It made it legal for Christians to practise their religion openly.
It made it legal for Christians to be persecuted.
Correct answer: It allowed for freedom of religion throughout the Empire.
Everyone in the Empire had to worship the Roman gods.
Q6.
Why was the Council of Nicaea important for Christianity?
It decided which parts of the Bible were more important than others.
Correct answer: It brought unity among Christians.
It decided that Constantine was a god and should be worshipped.
Correct answer: It encouraged the acceptance of Christianity among the Romans.

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