Constantine and Donatist Schism: first steps of the emperor (313–314)
Abstract
The Donatist schism was the fi rst church confl ict encountered by Constantine the Great. This article studies the emperor’s policy as to the discord in Africa in 313‒314. Alongside a detailed reconstruction of the events, special attention is paid to clarifying the motives of the ruler and the signifi cance of two assemblies of bishops convoked to resolve the issue (in 313 in Rome and in 314 in Arles). Soon after the victory over Maxentius, Constantine learnt about the disagreement in the African churches. At the beginning of the year 313, he received the fi rst petition from Donatists, who asked the emperor to consider their complaint against the Carthago bishop Caecilianus. He was accused of apostasy during the time of persecution, and the council in Africa did condemn Caecilianus. Though the aims of the opposition were rather church-political and economic, Constantine decided to arrange the second examination of the core of the accusations. For this reason a council in Rome (313) convened and declared Caecilianus not guilty. A year after, as a response to new petitions, the emperor convoked a council in Arles (314) which again supported Caecilianus. Constantine’s policy as to Donatists was at the same time conservative and innovative. The emperor’s motives were quite similar to those of his predecessor, Diocletianus. Both strived after religious unity in the state. However, in order to achieve his aims, Constantine employed other instruments, i.e. councils and the exile of bishops. These councils were not at all similar to the councils of the fi rst centuries of Christianity. Due to the increased role of the state, they have more in common with ecumenical councils of the 4th and 5th centuries.
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