The bit I was objecting to is the expenses paid on the invitation, I've never seen such a claim and it doesn't seem likely. Inviting all the bishops shows Constantine had exactly the intent he stated with the council, which is to get a unified statement on the Arian controversy. The number that showed up is because of the danger and expense of travelling, but the diversity from which they came speaks to the universal voice of the church in the matter.
Though the more interesting question you left unanswered.
Constantine certainly reshaped the church and is one marker along the way to the modern state, but the boogeyman that critics make him is often well beyond the influence he actually did have.
Though the more interesting question you left unanswered.
Constantine certainly reshaped the church and is one marker along the way to the modern state, but the boogeyman that critics make him is often well beyond the influence he actually did have.
Wikipedia: First Council Of Nicaea
Constantine had invited all 1,800 bishops of the Christian church within the Roman Empire (about 1,000 in the east and 800 in the west), but a smaller and unknown number attended. Eusebius of Caesarea counted more than 250,[22] Athanasius of Alexandria counted 318,[11] and Eustathius of Antioch estimated "about 270"[23] (all three were present at the Council). Later, Socrates Scholasticus recorded more than 300,[24] and Evagrius,[25] Hilary of Poitiers,[26] Jerome,[27] Dionysius Exiguus,[28] and Rufinus[29] recorded 318. This number 318 is preserved in the liturgies of the Eastern Orthodox Church[30] and the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.[citation needed]
Delegates came from every region of the Roman Empire, including Britain, and from the Christian churches extant within the Sassanid Empire.[31] The participating bishops were given free travel to and from their episcopal sees to the Council, as well as lodging.