Editing First Council of Nicaea (section)

=== Constantine and the calling of the council ===
In 324, the western Roman emperor Constantine defeated the eastern emperor [[Licinius]] and became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire.{{sfn|Cameron|2007|p=542}} It was at this time that, likely from Eusebius of Nicomedia, he became aware of the controversy between Alexander and Arius.{{sfn|Van Dam|2021|p=25}} Constantine wrote a letter to the two, urging them to end their dispute and reconcile.{{sfn|Hanson|1988|p=137}} This was not Constantine's first direct involvement in ecclesiastical controversy; he had previously attempted to resolve a schism over [[Donatism]] in North Africa, first appointing [[Pope Miltiades|Miltiades, Bishop of Rome]] to hear the dispute (with the instruction "I do not wish you to leave schism or division of any kind anywhere.") and then calling the [[Synod of Arles#Council of Arles in 314|Council of Arles]].{{sfn|Drake|2021|pp=113–114}}

Constantine's letter was carried to Alexandria by [[Hosius of Corduba|Bishop Hosius of Corduba]] as his representative. Hosius apparently then presided over a synod at Alexandria concerning the date of Easter, before calling a council of Eastern bishops in Antioch. This council endorsed Alexander's position and issuing a statement of faith that held that the Son was "begotten not from non-existence, but from the Father, not as made, but as genuine product" and contained anathemas against Arius.{{sfn|Hanson|1988|pp=146–151}}{{sfn|Lyman|2021|p=46}} Eusebius of Caesaria was also temporarily excommunicated because of his contention that the Father and the Son were of two different natures.{{sfn|Ayres|2004|p=16}}{{sfn|Edwards|2006|pp=557–558}}

The bishops were then to assemble in [[Ancyra]] in Asia Minor for a "great and hierarchic council", either at their own impetus or Constantine's command. Constantine moved the council to [[Nicaea]] in Bithynia, a venue that would allow him to attend personally (due to its proximity to his capital at [[Nicomedia]]) and would allow easier access for bishops from throughout the empire.<ref>{{Citation |last=Drake |first=Harold A. |title=Church and Empire |date=2008-09-04 |work=The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Studies |pages=446–464 |editor-last=Harvey |editor-first=Susan Ashbrook |url=https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/42623/chapter-abstract/357712085?redirectedFrom=fulltext |access-date=2025-03-14 |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199271566.003.0023 |isbn=978-0-19-927156-6 |editor2-last=Hunter |editor2-first=David G.}}</ref>{{sfn|Hanson|1988|pp=152–153}} The emperor had also planned a commemoration of the twentieth year of his reign in Nicaea.{{sfn|Drake|2021|p=120}}