The Imperial Tetrarchy runs into problems with the rise of Constantine and Maxentius, each of whom will look to the Christians to support them against rivals. However, the Church has its own problems as both Rome and Carthage struggle to deal with the effects of the Persecutions and the Donatists come on to the scene.

Links:

Image: reproduction of Constantine’s basilica at Trier.

Coin of Constantine with Sol Invictus

Map of provinces of Roman Empire. In North Africa, you can see province of Proconsularis Africa that supported Caecelian and provinces of Numidia that supported Majorinus.

Maps of territory held by the different Tetrarchs

T. D. Barnes, “The Beginnings of Donatism”, The Journal of Theological Studies, Vol. 26, No. 1, April 1975, pp. 13-22.

Alan Dearn, “The Abitinian Martys and the Outbreak of the Donatist Schism”, Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol. 55, No. 1, January 2004, pp. 1-18.

Peter Iver Kaufman, “Donatism Revisited: Moderates and Militants in Late Antique North Africa”, Journal of Late Antiquity, Vol. 2, No. 1, Spring 2009, pp. 131-142.

Robert Wisniewski, “Lucilla and the Bone: Remarks on an Early Testimony to the Cult of Relics”, Journal of Late Antiquity, 4.1, Spring 20011, pp. 157-161.

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#335 – A History of the Catholic Church – Tetrarchs and Traditors