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A: Milano, Lombardia, Italy

The Emperor Constantine Signs the Edict of Milan Proclaiming "Religious Toleration"

313 CE
Colassal head of Constantine. Capitoline Museum, Rome
Colassal marble head of Constantine I. Capitoline Museum, Rome

In 313 the Emperor Constantine, ruler of the Eastern parts of the Roman Empire, and the Emperor Licinius, ruler of the Western parts, signed a letter known as the Edict of Milan. This edict proclaimed religious toleration throughout the Roman Empire, and was responsible for the reduction of persecution of Christians and tolerance of the spread of Christianity.

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