Hypothekai (Jun 2019)
On the education of the sons of Constantine the Great
Abstract
The present article is devoted to the problem of education of Constantine’s the Great (306–337 AD) sons. Constantine gained the im-perial title in 306 AD and kept it for thirty years — longer than any of roman emperors after Augustus. Constantine united the Roman Empire under his sole rule and built an imperial dynasty. Constan-tine’s sons (Crispus, Constantine the Younger, Constantius and Constans) considered as his natural heirs. Emperor raised all of them in the dignity of the Caesars. The reign of Constantine was preceded by the Tetrarchy of emperor Diocletian (284–305 AD); according to its constitution experienced commanders and administrators were brought to power. Quite the opposite, according to Constantine's dy-nastic plans his heirs should be prepared for the adoption of power. Consequently, it is important to concentrate on the question of their education. Author of the present article analyses three accounts of Constantine’s the Great sons education, left by Eusebius, Julian and Libanius. The author comes to the conclusion that the emperor gave his sons a comprehensive education that includes both general disci-plines and special knowledge that they need to govern the state in fu-ture. Special attention is paid to the reports, that Constantine took an active part in education of his sons. According to Libanius, he had formulated a special political and philosophical concept of imperial power based on the ruler’s desire for “genuine love” from his people. In the course of his research, the author touches upon the question of the tutors of young Caesars.
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