LECTURE NOTES: The Fourth Century--the most important 100 years that we know almost nothing about:

1. Constantine accepts Christianity

2. The Axsum (or Axum) Empire at its Height

3. Mayans spread their civilization

4. The Classical age in India...Gupta Dynasty

1. Constantine accepts Christianity

Constantine had been a pagan monotheist who worshiped the sun god Sol Invictus.

…the night before the battle, In hoc signo vinces shines above the sun.

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge 312 CE

Eusebius produces a Christian Caesar

The Council of Nicea 325 CE   (in Turkey)

Homo Ousion vs. Homoi Ousion

Christianity declared the official religion of Rome in 380 CE…

How does being an official state religion change a religion?

The Decline and Fall of Rome:

Gibbon: “If the decline of the Roman empire was hastened by the conversion of Constantine, his victorious religion broke the violence of the fall, and mollified the ferocious temper of the conquerors."

2. The Axsum(or Axum) Empire at its Height

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

3. Mayans spread their civilization

         300-900=the Classical Period of Mesoamerica

…but first, how the gods created the Maya.

Pitz

There are more than 500 ball courts in Guatemala.          

What does it mean that they put so much importance on sport?

4. The Classical Age in India...Gupta Dynasty

319 CE Chandra Gupta names himself King of Kings…

Samudra Gupta takes and leads for 45 years…

HISTORICAL SIDE NOTE:

The Gupta Dynasty also gave us Vedic Hindu philosopher Vātsyāyana who created the Kama Sutra:

CONCLUSION…

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