History of Christianity from Constantine to the Reformation

Harvard FAS

This course offers a historical overview of Christianity between the fourth century and the early sixteenth century. We will study Christianity’s emergence in this period from a persecuted religion within the Roman Empire to a position of dominance in both medieval Europe and Byzantium. Tracing this history up to the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and the fracture of Latin Christendom into Catholics and Protestants, the course will explore major figures, institutions, and…