Converting Empires: Religion and Rulers
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While written in vastly different times and geographical spaces, both of this week’s course documents look at how an emperor’s religion could be used to govern. King Ashoka of India and Emperor Theodosius of the Roman Empire both oversaw significant efforts to transform their populations from an ethnic religion (Hinduism and Roman Paganism) to a universal religion (Buddhism and Christianity).
Developing common religious experiences and cultural traditions was a hallmark of early civilizations. As we’ve seen throughout the course thus far, religion could be used to unify or divide a population. Through religion leaders could also gain legitimacy and control over people. The two examples we look at this week are interesting in that they reflect a leader who converts their religious tradition and then encourages their citizens to convert as well.
Initial discussion board response:
Compare and contrast the conversion experiences of King Ashoka and Emperor Constantine and his successor, Emperor Theodosius. How did these figures use their positions of power to enact religious transformation for the people they governed. Be sure to incorporate evidence from both India and Rome through the incorporation of a quote from at least one of the primary sources.
Pose a historical analysis question for your classmates about one of the primary sources. Remember: A good discussion question asks “how” and “why,” probes the topic with seriousness and depth, keeps the discussion going, and cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Please come up with questions that require your classmates to engage in thoughtful, in-depth, historically informed reflections rather than simply personal opinions.
