A timely article from the Biblical Archaeology Society.
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/dail...=ZE8A3ZZ30
This bit is amusing.
Eusebius was not there at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Lactantius, who was, knows nothing of this bullshit story and says only that Constantine had "a dream" which seems to be about par for the course with Eusebius!
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/dail...=ZE8A3ZZ30
Quote:Scholars believe that the first surviving public image of Jesus’s crucifixion was on the fifth-century wooden doors of the Basilica of Santa Sabina, which is located on the Aventine Hill in Rome.2 Since it took approximately 400 years for Jesus’s crucifixion to become an acceptable public image, scholars have traditionally believed that this means the cross did not originally function as a symbol for Christians.3
This bit is amusing.
Quote:Undoubtedly, though, Constantine’s adoption of the cross was the most important development that resulted in its becoming the preeminent symbol of Christianity.
According to Eusebius, the day before the Battle of Melvian Bridge, Constantine earnestly prayed for victory against his co-emperor Maxentius. Constantine’s prayer was answered, and a most marvelous sign appeared to him from heaven. Eusebius relates that Constantine saw a cross of light in the sky, above the sun, bearing the inscription, “Conquer by this” (Life of Constantine 28). That night, Eusebius reports, Jesus explained to Constantine the meaning of the vision. Constantine was directed by Jesus to create a new banner with the symbol of the cross created by the Greek letters “Chi” and “Rho.” This well-known symbol in Christianity, which is usually referred to as the Chi-Rho (), became known as the standard of the cross.
Eusebius was not there at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Lactantius, who was, knows nothing of this bullshit story and says only that Constantine had "a dream" which seems to be about par for the course with Eusebius!
