The Donatist schism was the first church conflict encountered by Constantine the Great. This article studies the emperor’s policy as to the discord in Africa in 313-314. Alongside a detailed reconstruction of the events, special attention is paid to clarifying the motives of the ruler and the significance of two assemblies of bishops convoked to resolve the issue (in 313 in Rome and in 314 in Arles). Soon after the victory over Maxentius, Constantine learnt about the disagreement in the African churches. At the beginning of the year 313, he received the first petition from Donatists, who asked the emperor to consider their complaint against the Carthago bishop Caecilianus. He was accused of apostasy during the time of persecution, and the council in Africa did condemn Caecilianus. Though the aims of the opposition were rather church-political and economic, Constantine decided to arrange the second examination of the core of the accusations. For this reason a council in Rome (313) convened and declared Caecilianus