When the Emperor Constantius died in AD 306, his son Constantine was made his successor in the Roman city of Eboracum, which would in time become York. An extensive new exhibition at York Castle Museum, running until October 29 2006, looks at the legacy of the man through the remains his subjects left behind.
Before the Battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312 Constantine famously dreamed of the Chi Roi, the Christian symbol, a combination of the Greek letters ‘X’ and ‘P’. How much this is true we will never know, but Constantine’s conversion to Christianity meant that the Empire and Europe would ultimately follow suit.
He also switched his capital from Rome to the much easier to defend city of Constantinople (now modern Istanbul) and thereafter ensured this eastern arm of the Empire survived for another thousand years.
The exhibition’s 270 objects and pieces of art have been collected from all over Europe and together attempt to look at this transitional state of the Empire from a cultural point of view.
One of the highlights of the show is the marble sculpture of Constantine’s head. It was probably made just after his accession and is believed to be the earliest portrait of him. Even though he and the Empire had embraced Christianity this shows the cult of the emperor was still strong.
The Hinton St Mary Mosaic is a fourth-century mosaic discovered in Dorset, featuring the Chi Roi. Christ’s head is flanked with pomegranates that were potent pagan symbols of life. Constantine was not above borrowing beliefs from pagan religions to give substance to his religion.
The exhibition includes two major collections of silverware including the Water Newton Hoard. These objects feature some of the earliest Christian inscriptions from the mid fourth century but the heavy pagan influence of the pieces shows that the new religion was not accepted overnight.
A life-size bronze goose statue was found at the hippodrome in Constantinople having probably been part of a fountain. It shows the more lighthearted side of Roman life, as geese were a symbol of fun.
High status Romano-Britons certainly lived well at this time and some of the artefacts show exquisite workmanship. The plaster painting of the Roman god Bacchus from a Roman Villa in Tarrant Hinton in Dorset is one of the finest to survive.
Constantine, to his credit, was tolerant towards other religions such as the popular cult of Genius Cucullatus and a small hooded figure found on Hadrian’s Wall that represented these beliefs is on display.
During his reign the Empire was certainly prospering. The range of artefacts including mosaics from villas, painted plasterwork, textiles, jewellery and games highlights the wealth of the age.
The exhibition offers a fascinating insight into the life of a people in the midst of a major religious upheaval and the double loyalties they sometimes had.
