Myth & Constantine the Great

'Myth & Constantine the Great' is a scholarly examination of the legendary and historical legacy of the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. Vacher Burch delves into the complex layers of myth-making that surrounded Constantine, separating the historical figure from the hagiographical narratives that emerged in the centuries following his reign. The work explores how the intersection of imperial power and religious transformation gave rise to a collection of myths that shaped the ideological foundations of the early Church and the Byzantine Empire.Burch analyzes key events, such as the vision at the Milvian Bridge and the Edict of Milan, to understand how these stories were constructed and for what political or theological purposes. By scrutinizing primary sources and contemporary accounts, the author provides a critical perspective on the evolution of Constantine’s image from a pragmatic ruler to a divinely ordained figure. This volume is an essential resource for students of Roman history, theology, and the development of Christian tradition, offering deep insights into how historical reality is often shaped by the powerful force of religious and political legend.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.