Christianity and the Emperors of Constantinople

In practice, obedience to the law was more imperial self-preservation rather than an insurmountable obstacle to decision making. Constantine publicised himself as the founder of a new kind of empresship endorsed by God and one needing a new capital to cement its status. Subsequent Christian emperors had continued in this tradition, increasingly seeing themselves as God's vice regent on earth. They were no longer just lord of the Roman people, they were lord of God's people. The emperor was the key figure in processions and mass and was to be seen leading his people in worship.