Abstract

The establishment of the dies solis as a regular day of rest by Constantine is absolutely a novum in antiquity. The text of the law is not preserved, but two texts of the year 321 (Codex Theodosianus II,8,1 and Codex Iustinianus III 12,2 [3]) hint to the fact that Constantine established the dies solis in connection to the laws about the clergy and the building of churches in 312/313. So, the character of the dies solis cannot be considered as a pagan or syncretistic one, but as an early step towards a Christianisation of the Roman Empire. Even the Roman army had to observe the dies solis in a Christian manner (cf. the oration in Eus., v.C. IV 19f.) from 311/312 onwards. In this early time, of course, the new rules are only realised in the Western part of the Empire, only from 324 onwards even the Eastern part accepted the new rhythm of time. Early Egyptian papyri show that the Christian name of the day (dies dominicus, dominica) is used even in documents written by pagan administrators from 325 onwards.