Question

What was the significance of the Edict of Milan, announcing tolerance of Christianity, and then the adoption of Christianity as Rome’s official religion?
A: It caused a holy war between pagan and Christian elements of the Roman Empire.

B: It meant that wherever the Roman Empire expanded, Christianity would go there also.

C: It ensured that all future emperors would be appointed by the Christian church.

D: It required all members of Roman society to become practicing Christians.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is B. The Edict of Milan meant that wherever the Roman Empire expanded, Christianity would go there also.

Explanation:

The Edict of Milan was an agreement reached in 313 by the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius at a meeting in Milan, proclaiming religious tolerance in the Roman Empire. The Edict of Milan was an important step towards the conversion of Christianity into the official religion of the empire.

The Edict affirmed that freedom of religion was introduced in the Roman Empire. It stated that the Roman citizens were free to choose their religion and could freely confess it without hindrance. It therefore protected non-Christian religions. Christianity no longer needed that protection after the Edict of Nicomedia, two years earlier.

This decree formally ratified the end of the Christian persecutions, which ended in Western Europe in 305 or 306 and in the Eastern Empire in 311. The initiative for this ratification came from Licinius. It would later be attributed to Constantine the Great, who had emerged victorious in their battles and had signed the edict in 312.