Christianization of the Roman Empire

The Christianization of the Roman Empire was formally legalized by Constantine on October 28, 312, when the emperor saw evidence for God granting military victory prior to a battle. To him, just as God had called Moses to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, God had intervened in human history to insure Constantine's victory at the Milvian Bridge. This was a central moment in western history - convincing the emperor of Rome of the legitimacy of Christianity, and sparking the subsequent legalization, and promotion to dominant faith in the Empire of Christianity during the fourth century. Indeed, Constantine, in 313, issued the Edict of Milan which granted toleration for Christianity, a vast improvement from the days of persecution of Christianity. Towards his end, Constantine became imperial patron for Christianity. Although Christianity would not become the official religion of Rome until later in the fourth century, Christianity and Rome would never be the same after the time of Constantine.