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Which Roman emperor made Christianity a legal religion?
A) Maxentius
B) Constantine
C) King David
D) Pontius Pilate

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Last updated date: 16th May 2024
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Answer
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Hint: The Roman Empire's efficiency aided the spread of Christianity significantly. It's possible that current Romans favoured Christianity because God spoke to their hearts and told them it was real. Historians must be more sceptical and search for secular reasons for religious belief.

Complete answer:
Constantine established Christianity as Rome's primary religion and founded Constantinople.
Let us look at the given options.
A) Maxentius: He reigned as Emperor of Rome from 306 to 312. Maximia, the former Emperor's son, was his father. He spent the second half of his reign fighting a civil war with Maximinus II, allying with him against Licinius and Constantine. Option A is incorrect since he did not make Christianity a legal religion.

B) Constantine: Christianity became the main religion of the Roman Empire during the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (AD 306–337). The Christian church and beliefs became more organised over time. The Edict of Milan, issued by Emperor Constantine in 313 AD, embraced Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire ten years later. Thus, option B is the correct answer.

C) King David: David was the second king of ancient Israel, reigning from around 1000 BCE. David's power was expanded by his son Solomon. He established the Judaean dynasty and unified all of Israel's tribes under a single ruler. Option C is incorrect because he is not a Roman emperor.

D) Pontius Pilate: He was the sixth governor of the Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius. He is best remembered today as the official who presided over Jesus' trial and eventually ordered his death. He is not a Roman emperor, so Option D is incorrect.

Thus, option B is the correct answer. Constantine made Christianity a legal religion.

Note: Emperor Constantine presided over the Roman Empire's fundamental transition—and much more. His embrace of Christianity and the founding of an eastern capital city that would eventually retain his name highlight his reign as a crucial crossroads between ancient and Middle Ages history." To the Christians and others, full authority to observe that religion which each preferred," according to the Edict of Milan.