Constantine the Great. Ancient Civilization at the Crossroads between West and East

Rimini, Castel Sismondo, March 13 – September 4, 2005

A passion for history and beauty, an encounter with the Christian event, and the roots of a culture that laid the foundation for today’s Europe: these are some of the cultural inspirations that gave life to the major exhibition “Constantine the Great. Ancient Civilization at the Crossroads between West and East.”

Two years of work went into what is the most ambitious exhibition the Meeting has produced to date—comparable in theme and cultural depth to the 1996 exhibition “From the Earth to the Peoples,” which attracted over 100,000 visitors and still travels the world in its educational format.

That exhibition explored the historical origins of Christianity. This time, the focus is on the freedom of the relationship between the individual and God, a freedom that was legally established by the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, written by Emperor Constantine.
For the first time in the history of the Roman Empire, it was declared that every person should be free to worship the God of their choice—thus separating religious affiliation from obedience to the State.
These are highly relevant themes today, at the heart of current debates on European identity. The Meeting has chosen to explore them through an exhibition dedicated to Constantine and his era.

More than 250 artworks and archaeological finds from 34 European museums, along with videos and reconstructions, help document the political, cultural, and religious factors that gave rise to the Europe of the centuries to come.

The exhibition begins with a historical and geographical overview of the Tetrarchy, the political context from which Constantine emerged.
It then introduces the key political figures of the era: the emperor himself, his family members, and his successors, up to Julian the Apostate.

A large section is dedicated to the political and religious turning point following the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD, where Constantine defeated Maxentius and took control of Rome.
The famous vision that preceded the battle is visualized through the appearance of the Chi-Rho (☧) symbol in imperial iconography—a symbol that quickly spread due to its powerful meaning.

Models and reconstructions illustrate Constantine’s extensive building projects: he commissioned grand basilicas in the various imperial capitals—Rome, Constantinople, Trier, etc.—as well as in the Holy Land (Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Mamre).
This period saw the birth of the multi-nave Christian basilica, which would enjoy great fortune in the centuries that followed. It also saw the development of centrally planned buildings of remarkable complexity and ingenuity.

The novelty of the era is also clearly visible in figurative art, imperial portraits, sarcophagi (where a distinctly Christian iconography begins to emerge), as well as in painting and the so-called minor arts, especially luxury items—some of which are presented in exceptional examples in the exhibition.

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For information and bookings:

Associazione Meeting per l’Amicizia fra i Popoli
Tel: +39 0541 783100
Fax: +39 0541 786422
Email: costantino@meetingrimini.org

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Opening Hours:
March 13 – July 3: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
July 4 – September 4: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Admission:
Full: €9.00
Reduced: €7.00 (includes audio guide)
Schools and children ages 6–11: €5.00

Guided Tours:
School groups: €45.00 (free for elementary school classes)
Other groups: €65.00