Why Did Constantine Decided To Convert To Christianity

Converting religions is a big deal, but it is especially a big deal when you are a leader and decide to convert to a different religion. Constantine the Great was the emperor of the Roman Empire, he ruled from 306-312 AD and decided to convert to Christianity. Clovis, who was the king of the Salian Franks, ruled from 481-509 AD. He also converted to Christianity. With each of these rulers having different reasons for converting, they both decided that it was best for them to convert to Christianity.

There were many reasons why Constantine converted to Christianity. Constantine decided to convert when he needed something more powerful than what his military could provide him. He questioned which god he would rely on for protection and assistance.

He was married to a woman by the name of Clotilde. She was the daughter of the King of the Burgundians. Clotilde was a christian at the time when her first son was born. She wanted their son to be baptized, and begged Clovis to let the son be baptized. She told Clovis that the gods he honored were nothing. She claimed that the names he worshiped were the names of people rather than the names of gods, and that they are endowed with magical arts rather than divine power. She also told him that the god that should be worshiped is the god that created life. When she told Clovis these things he said, “By the will of our gods all things are created and produced. Evidently your god can do nothing, and it is not even proved that he belongs to the race of gods.” The queen decided to have their son baptized anyway. After he had been baptized, he ended up dying in his white baptismal robe. Clovis said to Clotilde, “If the child had been consecrated in the name of my gods he would be alive still. But now, because he is baptized in the name of your god, he cannot live.” He later on had another son that was baptized. After the second son was baptized he became very ill. Clovis believed that because he was baptized his son must die like his first son did. But the mother prayed to god, and the child recovered. With these things happening Clovis decided not to acknowledge the god, until a war broke out against Alemanni.

Both of them would not have converted if it were not for their families. Constantine wanted to honour the god that his father honoured, so if it were not for his father he may have never converted. Clovis wasn't as open-minded about Christianity at first, but if it weren't for his wife he wouldn't have converted either. Also, both of them seeked help from the god of christ when they were struggling with their armies. Constantine searched for a new god when he needed protection and assistance for his army. Clovis first had an experience with the god when he prayed to him during battle and he answered, gaining Clovis’ faith in him. So when it comes to their stories they are similar, other than the fact that Clovis wanted nothing to do with Christianity. Where as Constantine thought it was more