History of Religion

Nicholas Miller
HIST-134 Ancient World History
5/3/2015

It appears to me that one of the most influential themes throughout all of history has to be
religion, including the understanding of the supernatural and the implications it has on human
morality. Throughout all times in history, culture is significantly affected by the values and
beliefs each community holds on to. I would like to investigate three notable figures throughout
history, Constantine, Ashoka, and Muhammads, to see how religion influenced their characters
and how this influence caused them to contribute towards the bettering of society.
Constantine seems to have made a large historical difference for the efforts of
Christianity. Though perhaps he was opposed to Christianity at first, Constantine learned
through first-hand experience how this new faith would bring him success in his military
campaigns. Constantine was tremendously influenced by Christianity, so much that he later
claimed it as the new official religion of Rome; however, he still tolerated the belief in Roman
pagan gods. During Constantines emperorship, he had moved the capital to Constantinople, and
founded Roman Catholic Church there. Constantine was loyal to this new faith because it was
what he truly believed in, and he saw it as beneficial for other to be involved as well. One of the
earliest instances of this is when he decided to march onto Maxentius while bearing the Christian
cross. At this instance, he saw that the success of his people would be delivered to him by the
Christian God, a clear demonstration of his efforts to better his people. If Constantine could see
the results of his faith, he would be very thrilled to see what an impact he has made on the world
today, as Christianity has become a very widespread and dominant religion due to his efforts. i
Similar to Constantine, Ashoka was able to share the influence Buddhism had on him
because he too was a ruler of his time. The societal impact that Buddhism had on Ashoka are
perhaps even more explicitly visible. When Ashoka converted to Buddhism, he had renounced
warfare and decided to continue the remainder of his reign in peace. This decision is one that

greatly improved his society technologically. Since all focus was drawn away from war, it was
instead put on the development of agriculture and trade. During this peace, the Mauryan Empire
became very prosperous. Now, the betterments caused by Buddhisms influence on Ashoka was
not only of economic gain. Ashoka was also a leading example for new people to adopt
Buddhism and Ashoka sent many missions. Ashoka must have seen Buddhism as something
beneficial for others to adopt, and if Ashoka adopting Buddhism caused all of these great societal
improvements, why should it not also have the same effect for others?ii
Lastly, I would like to consider the influence that religion had on Muhammad. In
particular, I will focus on the development of Islam through the battle against the Koraysh tribe
of Mecca. Originally, Muhammads religion posed a threat to the Koraysh tribe, since Islams
monotheistic attribute was in direct conflict with the many pagan gods worshipped in Mecca.
Though, nonetheless Muhammad believed that this religion was worth believing in, even though
he himself originated from the Koraysh tribe. Muhammad was convinced that what was
revealed to him was the truth and he believed that he should share that truth with others. In the
eyes of Muhammad, deviation of the truth must have had fruitless ends. Due to his known
leadership skills and honest character, he was able to share his revelations to his close relatives
and to the people of Medina. In efforts to sterilize Mecca from its paganism, Muhammad fought
against the Koraysh tribe and was victorious. This victory, similar to Constantines against
Maxentius, was one that enabled Muhammads religion to expand tremendously, as people began
to see prosperity through faith in Islam. All in all, we still see the effects of this one prophet
even until this day, as Islam is yet another dominant religion.iii
So, what can we take away from these people? All three religions discussed all have
efforts towards defining upright character and correct moral standards. These three individuals

acted on their religious beliefs and each triumphed because of it. If not in their times, the
triumph came in the generations after. Constantine experienced success against Maxentius
during his time as a result of his faith, Ashoka experienced success in his time with peace and
economic prosperity, and Muhammad caused the success of and development of Islamic state. It
also seems fair to assert that each of these people influenced others to gain personal development
through the lessons of morality in each religion. Studying the history of religion is useful to us
now because it allows us to understand the background of some of the largest groups of people in
this world, as well as understanding perhaps our own historical identity. More importantly,
studying this history allows us to understand how religion itself can be very beneficial towards
the development and success of our society today, leading to a better future overall.iv

(Murphy, Green and Spencer)

(TimeMaps Ltd.)
iii
(Muhammad, Prophet Of Islam)
iv
(McNeill)
ii

Ancient Rome - The Rise and Fall of an Empire. Dirs. Nick Murphy, et al. BBC One. Prods. Matthew
Barrett and Mark Hedgecoe. 2006. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdlvuGCL3Fk>.
Information describes the life of Constantine. Reliable documentary.
McNeill, William H. Why Study History? 1985. 3 May 2015. <http://www.historians.org/about-aha-andmembership/aha-history-and-archives/archives/why-study-history-(1985)>.
Explains reasons to study history. Applies in last paragraph.
Muhammad, Prophet Of Islam. 2002. 3 May 2015. <http://history-world.org/islam2.htm>.
Describes Islam and the impacts of it from Muhammad.
TimeMaps Ltd. Civilization: The Mauryan Empire of Ancient India. n.d. 3 May 2015.
<http://www.timemaps.com/civilization-the-mauryan-empire>.
Describes Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire as well as the effects of Buddhism.