Roman Empire timeline (217-337 A.D.)

217-284: Crisis of the Third Century

260: Valerian murdered by Persians

268-9: Goths defeated

284: Diocletian restores order

284-305: Diocletian's reign (Tetrarchy)

301: Edict of Maximum Prices

303-11: The Great Persecution

305-337: Reign of Constantine

312: Battle of Mivian Bridge

313: Edict of Toleration

325: Council of Nicea

324-330: Constantinople founded

337: Constantine dies

History Shorts: Council of Nicea (325 A.D.)

The Trinitarian issue threatened to rip the early Catholic Church apart. At issue was god’s nature. Some believed in the trinity while others believed it smacked of polytheism.  The Emperor Constantine called a conference to settle the dispute. The Trinitarians won leading the emperor to enforce the decree. The council also created the first portion of the Nicean Creed, calculated Easter’s date, and settled some early canon.

This clip is a dramatization of events:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBszFV90ZSE

History Shorts: The Edict of Milan (313 A.D.)

After Constantine won the Battle of Milvian Bridge, he assigned his victory to the Christian god. In response, he legalized Christianity, ended Diocletian's persecutions, and included incentives for the faithful. By the end of the century, church and state became one. Two hundred years later, the church became the only organization in Western Europe capable of preserving civilization and record keeping.
The first link is a student project. The second is from the Catholic Church.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5XeVWEFSO4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqLBeCmyaKY

History Shorts: The Battle of Milvian Bridge (312 A.D.)

Diocletian’s tetrachy disintegrated after his death. Constantine and others vied for control of the Roman Empire. The Civil War raged until Constantine defeated his final rival at Milvian Bridge. Prior to the engagement, Constantine saw something in the sky, which he interpreted as a sign from the Christian God. He placed the Christian symbol on his men’s shields and went into combat. Following his victory, Constantine credited his victory to the Christian god and legalized the religion.

Here is a dramatization of events:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_P0FZfPlSA