Constantine
Constantine (c.272 - 337) was the Emperor of the Roman Empire from 306 until his death in 337. He is notable for being the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity.
Born Flavius Valerius Constantinus in the city of Naissus during the reign of Emperor Aurelian, he was the son of an officer in the Roman army. His father, who he did see often, would become one of the four Emperors during the time of the Tetrachy in 293 CE under the tyrannical Emperor Diocletian.
Despite not spending much of his early life with his father, he received a privileged education and military training, which prepared him for his future role as a ruler. Following his father’s death in 306 CE, Constantine was declared emperor by his troops in the city of Eboracum (modern-day York, England), beginning his rise to ultimate power over the Roman Empire.
Constantine consolidated power through a series of military victories over his rivals in the fractured Roman Empire, including defeating Maxentius in 312 CE and Licinius in 324 CE. By triumphing in these decisive conflicts, he eliminated the system of the Tetrarchy and became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire, uniting both the Eastern and Western regions under his authority.
Before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE, Constantine saw a divine vision. He reportedly saw a cross of light in the sky with the words, "In this sign, conquer." Following his victory, he attributed his success to the Christian God and became a Christian himself.
In 313 CE, he issued the Edict of Milan, which granted religious tolerance across the Roman Empire, ending the persecution of Christians and allowing them to practice their faith openly. Later, in 325 CE, Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea, which aimed to resolve theological disputes, particularly the Arian controversy, and establish a unified Christian doctrine through the formulation of the Nicene Creed.
During his reign as Emperor, Constantine’s social policies reflected Christian values, as he introduced laws to protect vulnerable groups, including women, children, and slaves. He banned crucifixion as a method of execution, promoted the observance of Sunday as a day of rest and worship, and provided state support for Christian charities, setting the stage for the moral and social influence of Christianity on Roman governance.
