Constantine ruled from A.D. 306 to 337, and was most commonly known for being the first Christian Emperor. Constantine fought to take power after his father’s death and saw a vision that would convert him to a Christian forever.
The life of Constantine revolved around his family, his conversion to christianity and the type of leader he was throughout his
Flavius Valerius Constantinus, was later known as the Roman Emperor Constantine I who fought at Milivian Bridge, and built Constantinople.
Constantine was born around 280 A.D. in Naissus, Rome; now known as a city in present day Serbia …show more content…
Constantine was important mostly for being the “ agent of the Christianization of the Roman Empire” (Eadie 1).
Constantinople “was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire,” founded by Constantine in 324 A.D. (“Ancient Greece” 162).
After six years of civil war, Constantine “dislodged” Maxentius at Milivian Bridge in 312 A.D. (Eadie 1).
The death of Constantine's father lead him to becoming the next ruler in line.
After his father “died in York in Britain,” his soldiers insisted Constantine on being emperor in 306 A.D. (Eadie 1).
After his father died, and he became ruler, he did many great things that will be remembered.
Constantine’s mother, father, wife and kids had a big impact on his life. His parents were very influential with his father being an emperor and the relationship he had with his mother.
Constantine’s father, Constantius Chlorus, was “one of the four contenders for the imperial throne of Rome” (“Ancient Greece” 161).
Helena was his mother, she was “believed to have discovered the cross on which Christ died” when he was a child (“Ancient Greece …show more content…
Fausta and his son, Crispus, were killed for “suspicion of treason” and none of his other sons made it to the age to become his successor.
Constantine's family played a role in who he became and how he accomplished the problems he faced.
Christianity in the Roman Empire started with Constantine’s vision, and the conversion.
Constantine’s vision began the long process of the conversion to Christianity.
Constantine had a vision of a “cross above the sun with the words in hoc signo vinces, which means “In this sign shall you conquer”” the night before the battle (“Ancient Greece” 161).
After his vision he demanded his soldiers to “paint crosses on their shields” before they went into battle (“Ancient Greece” 161)
The large non-Christian society lead to a different version of Christianity for Constantine.
The large non-Christian society included "the continuation of traditional ceremonies" like cults are that regard emperors and members of their families as gods (Howard 1).
Christianity started with a vision, then transferred slowly, and different because of the society.
Constantine was very involved in the church, created a larger army and had a few unpopular