Difficulty: Hard

Average Score: 20%

"In the past, the peoples of the earth were variously distributed into provincial, national, and local governments. The consequences of this distribution were war and strife, depopulation and captivity. The origin of these calamities may justly be ascribed to the delusion of polytheistic error. But when the holy body of Christ was raised, the energy of these evil spirits was at once destroyed. The manifold forms of government were now no more. One God was proclaimed to all mankind, one empire prevailed, and the whole human race received one another as brethren. Thus, the whole world appeared like one well-ordered and united family and the ancient oracle and predictions of the prophets were fulfilled, 'And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into sickles, and nation shall not take up sword against nation."Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea and Church historian, oration dedicated to the Roman emperor Constantine on the anniversary of the thirtieth year of his reign, Constantinople, 336 C.E.

The Council of Nicaea in 325 CE denounced

Rationale

The outlawing of pagan practices in the Roman Empire under Theodosius I.

Eusebius's passage emphasizes the unification of humanity under one God and the end of polytheistic beliefs, which aligns with Theodosius I's policies that sought to establish Christianity as the state religion of the Roman Empire and suppress paganism.

A (the spread of Islam into Egypt, Spain, and Syria) YOUR ANSWER

While Constantine did play a significant role in promoting Christianity and convening the First Council of Nicaea, the specific promotion of the pope as the sole leader of the Church developed later. Eusebius's focus is on the unification of belief rather than church hierarchy under Constantine.

B (Emperor Constantine's murder of his wife and son) YOUR ANSWER

Theodosius I’s reign saw the formal establishment of Christianity as the state religion and the subsequent outlawing of pagan practices, which is directly supported by Eusebius's assertion of a single God prevailing and the end of polytheistic error.

C (those Christians who believed that Jesus the Son was far less significant than God the Father) CORRECT

This event occurred in 70 C.E., well before the timeframe of Eusebius's oration. The focus of the passage is on the consequences of polytheism and the triumph of Christianity, rather than historical events related to the destruction of the Temple.

D (the high prices and chronic shortages produced by the economic policies of Diocletian) YOUR ANSWER

The tithe system was not a direct result of Eusebius's ideology but rather a later development in the Church's financial structure. Eusebius's message is more about spiritual unification than economic policies.

E (the establishment of Orthodox Christianity as the official faith of the Roman Empire) YOUR ANSWER

Justinian's policies occurred much later and were focused on consolidating religious authority. Eusebius's remarks pertain to the earlier establishment of Christianity's dominance over paganism, not the suppression of specific sects.

Conclusion

Eusebius's vision of a unified Christian empire directly aligns with the policies of Theodosius I, who sought to abolish pagan practices. His oration outlined the transformative impact of Christianity on society, marking a significant shift towards religious uniformity in the late fourth century. This ideological shift laid the groundwork for the later formalization of Christianity as the dominant faith in the Roman Empire.

Related Questions

View all