# After the 313–314 African hearings Constantine’s government moves from arbitration to coercion against Donatists

Date: 316

## The fact

From 316, after failing to close the Donatist schism by hearing and council, Constantine’s government used confiscation and force against Donatist churches in Africa.

It is one event.

## Context

A Christian emperor policing other Christians polarises a province for decades. Later Augustine is reception, not this year’s edict.

[Constantine the Great](/people/constantine-the-great)’s documented role is bounded by other offices and collaborators named in the sources below. Sharing a field with them is not a reason to drop a documented act, and it is not a reason to assign later consequences done in the name after death.

Arles 314 is a council he backed. Later fines, exile, and troop use in Africa are received. Augustine’s later anti-Donatist file is not 316.
Named person as heading of the dated public instrument. Later editors, museums, printers, or offices share publication. Complex where later carriers date the row.

## Evidence and sources

Catholic Encyclopedia / New Advent Constantine pages and Cambridge independently narrate the Donatist turn; Eusebius underplays African coercion.

Official or archival record: Catholic Encyclopedia — Constantine the Great (https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04295c.htm; New Advent).

## Significance

Using imperial force inside a church dispute is a polarisation path.

Donatism is not Nicaea’s Arian file. Split 325.

Using imperial force inside a church dispute is a polarisation path.

## What is established and what is not

Established: received 316+ coercive measures against Donatists.

What would change the picture: a contradictory original with a different date or name, or a measured series that can be argued, with lag and alternatives, as a consequence of this instrument rather than of later institutions.

The date is the date of this instrument, not a licence to back-date every later harm or benefit.

Established here: a sourced, dated public instrument with a named contribution by Constantine the Great.

What would change the picture: a contradictory original with a different date, signatory, or non-occurrence; a demonstrated forgery; or a measured series that can be argued, with lag and alternatives, as a consequence of this instrument rather than of other causes.

They are not a public rating.

## People

- Constantine the Great: https://factrail.ai/people/constantine-the-great

## Drivers

- Political Polarization: https://factrail.ai/drivers/political-polarization

## Sources

- https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04295c.htm
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-ancient-history/

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/facts/co-donatist-coercion