Constantine and the Arian Controversy

Constantine did not focus on the theology of Christianity but used it as cultural, social, and political power to unify the empire. Through his unification of Christianity, he could unify the empire. His defeat of Licinius, who questions Christianity, the new approaches to Christianity, the triumphant in Rome showing the divinity, and his tolerance show that Constantine used religion to succeed in politics. The Arian controversy between Arius and Alexander were a direct threat to his unity, so this lead to the Council of Nicaea.