# Edict of Milan legalizes Christianity (313)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/313-edict-of-milan-legalizes-christianity
Location: Roman Empire

Legal toleration accelerated Christian institutional growth in Gaul. Within the broader Roman Gaul period, Roman conquest transformed Gaul through provincial government, roads, cities, citizenship and cultural exchange. The later empire brought Christianity, civil wars, frontier pressure and the rise of successor kingdoms. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Roman Empire (Roman imperial rule in Gaul). Edict of Milan legalizes Christianity mattered because religion was closely tied to political legitimacy, community identity and public institutions. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Edict of Milan legalizes Christianity mattered because religion was closely tied to political legitimacy, community identity and public institutions.

Ruler at the time: [Roman Empire](https://history-france.com/rulers/roman-empire)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Edict of Milan legalizes Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Edict+of+Milan+legalizes+Christianity&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Edict of Milan legalizes Christianity](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Edict+of+Milan+legalizes+Christianity)
- [Wikipedia — History of France overview](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_France)