Constantinus Arabicus

Book Description

This scholarly exploration reveals how Arab historians, both Muslim and Christian, interpreted one of history's most pivotal spiritual transformations: the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity. Jonathan Stutz guides readers through a fascinating journey across centuries of historical writing, examining how different generations of Byzantine and Syriac chroniclers understood and retold the story of Rome's first Christian emperor.

Through careful analysis of various historical sources, this work illuminates the diverse ways that Constantine's spiritual awakening resonated within the Islamic world. Each historian brought their own perspective and methodology to this momentous religious shift, creating a rich tapestry of interpretations that reflect the complex relationship between Christianity and Islam in medieval scholarship.

For those interested in understanding how spiritual narratives evolve across cultures and time periods, this book offers valuable insights into the art of historical interpretation itself. Stutz demonstrates how the same transformative event can be understood through multiple lenses, each revealing different aspects of its significance for religious communities.

The work provides a unique window into how scholars from the dār al-islām engaged with Christian history, showing how Constantine's conversion became meaningful within their own intellectual and spiritual frameworks. This cross-cultural examination of religious historiography offers readers a deeper appreciation for how spiritual stories transcend boundaries and speak to universal human experiences of faith and transformation.