The Council of Nicaea

In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes interviews Dr. Dafydd Daniel about the Council of Nicaea, a pivotal event in early Christian history that occurred 1700 years ago. They discuss the historical context of the Roman Empire under Constantine the Great, the theological disputes between Arius and Alexander regarding the nature of Christ (the Arian Controversy), and the significance of the Nicene Creed. The discussion covers the motivations behind convening the council, the debates and decisions made, including the concept of "homoousion," and the immediate and long-term aftermath, including the continuation of Arianism and the evolving relationship between church and state. They also touch on other matters decided at the council, such as the date of Easter and the establishment of canon law.