| But while an emperor could change his religion overnight, Rome's pagan citizens would take longer. The arch built to mark Constantine's victory shows how controversial this change of policy was. This arch contains a surprise. If you look up here on line three, you'll see that the divinity that Constantine thanks for his victory is subtly ambiguous. It could be either Christian or pagan. Constantine doesn't give thanks to the pagan god of war, but neither does he reveal his new faith. He uses a general term for divinity - divinitas, which was acceptable to both pagans and Christians. Promoting Christianity in a world where the majority was still pagan would need tact and diplomacy, even from an all-conquering emperor. Constantine's cautious approach to conversion is reflected in the fourth century church of Santa Pudenziana. |
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