constantine great constantine great latin greek february known constantine great equal roman emperor constantine son roman army officer consort father deputy emperor west constantine sent east rose ranks military emperors raised rank senior western emperor constantine recalled west campaign father britain acclaimed emperor army modern day york father death constantine emerged victorious series civil wars emperors sole ruler west east emperor constantine enacted administrative financial social military reforms strengthen empire government civil military authority separated new gold coin introduced combat inflation standard byzantine european thousand years roman emperor claim conversion christianity constantine played influential role proclamation decreed tolerance christianity empire called professed christians military matters roman army reorganised consist mobile field units garrison soldiers capable internal threats invasions constantine pursued successful campaigns tribes roman territories abandoned predecessors turmoil previous century age constantine marked distinct history built new imperial residence byzantium renamed city constantinople epithet new rome came later official title later capital empire thousand years reason later come known byzantine_empire immediate political legacy leaving empire sons replaced principle succession reputation flourished lifetime children centuries reign medieval church upheld virtue secular rulers invoked prototype point reference symbol imperial legitimacy identity beginning renaissance critical reign anti sources critics portrayed trends modern recent scholarship attempted balance extremes previous scholarship constantine significant figure history christianity built orders purported site jesus tomb jerusalem place papal claim temporal power high middle ages based supposed saint eastern orthodox byzantine catholics early life originally named born city today serbia province february probably father native later constantine probably spent little time father officer roman army emperor imperial bodyguard described tolerant politically skilled man advanced ranks earning governorship emperor companions constantine mother possibly woman low social standing uncertain legally married merely unclear constantine speak main language latin public speeches needed greek july declared colleague emperor emperor court military administrative rule separate chief lieutenant ruled west capitals milan italy germany ruled east turkey division merely pragmatic empire called official emperors freely empire appointed serve left marry divided empire appointing junior emperors rule subdivisions east west subordinate respective senior emperor act supreme authority assigned lands system later called office second native according brutal man shared rome aristocracy alien figure semi march promoted office dispatched fight rebels spite overtones retained hereditary privilege constantine prime candidate future appointment soon father took position constantine went court lived father heir east constantine received formal education court learned latin literature greek philosophy cultural environment open fluid socially mobile constantine mix intellectuals pagan christian attended lectures christian scholar latin city completely trust fully trusted colleagues constantine held hostage tool ensure best behavior constantine nonetheless prominent member court fought asia served variety campaigned danube fought syria late order constantine returned eastern spring time witness beginnings great persecution severe persecution christians roman history late sent messenger apollo inquiry christians constantine recall presence palace messenger returned accepted court demands universal persecution february ordered destruction new church condemned scriptures flames treasures seized months followed churches scriptures destroyed christians deprived official ranks priests imprisoned unlikely constantine played role persecution later writings attempt present opponent god indicates opposed effectively time contemporary christian challenged constantine remained political liability life result sickness taken winter announced resignation parallel ceremony milan states manipulated weakened resigning forced accept allies imperial succession according crowd listening resignation speech believed moment choose constantine son successors promoted nephew appointed respectively constantine ignored ancient sources detail plots constantine life months following assert assigned constantine lead advance unit cavalry charge swamp enter single combat lion attempted kill hunts wars constantine emerged victorious lion emerged contest poorer condition constantine constantine returned danube captive drop feet uncertain tales trusted west constantine recognized implicit danger remaining court held virtual hostage career depended rescued father west quick intervene late spring early summer requested leave son help campaign britain long evening drinking granted request constantine later propaganda describes fled court night change mind rode post house post house high speed horse wake time following morning constantine fled far caught constantine joined father summer crossed channel britain way capital province home large military base constantine able spend year northern britain father campaigning wall summer autumn campaign like probably advanced far north achieving great success severely sick course reign died july dying declared support raising constantine rank king taken service proclaimed constantine troops loyal memory followed britain quickly accepted rule father domain year rejected constantine sent official notice death notice included portrait robes portrait bay requested recognition heir father throne passed responsibility unlawful ascension army claiming forced fury message set portrait fire advisers argued outright denial constantine claims mean certain war compelled compromise granted constantine title office went instead wishing clear gave constantine legitimacy personally sent constantine emperor traditional purple robes constantine accepted decision knowing remove doubts legitimacy early rule constantine share empire consisted britain spain commanded largest roman armies stationed important rhine frontier promotion emperor constantine remained britain driving tribes secured control northwestern completed reconstruction military bases begun father rule ordered repair region roadways soon left capital northwestern learning constantine invaded lower rhine winter constantine drove rhine captured kings kings soldiers fed arrival celebrations followed constantine began major expansion strengthened circuit wall city military towers fortified gates began building palace complex northeastern city south palace ordered construction large formal audience hall massive imperial constantine sponsored building projects tenure emperor west especially according constantine followed father following tolerant policy christianity christian probably judged sensible policy open persecution way distinguish great constantine decreed formal end persecution returned christians lost constantine largely hint relied father reputation early propaganda earliest constantine coverage father deeds constantine constantine military skill building projects soon gave opportunity comment favorably similarities father son remarked constantine renewal person father life reign sculpture shows new tendency disdain constantine victory coin issue depicting begging conquered beneath phrase romans little sympathy enemies declared stupid conquered foe rebellion following recognition constantine constantine portrait brought rome customary mocked portrait subject son lamented constantine authority seized title emperor october refused recognize failed sent campaign armies previously command father defected seized imprisoned brought retirement son rebellion left constantine late offered marry daughter constantine elevate rank return constantine old family alliance offer support cause italy constantine accepted married late summer constantine gave support offering political recognition constantine remained italian conflict spring summer left britain avoid involvement italian turmoil instead giving military aid sent troops tribes rhine raided territory bridge rhine cologne marched northern rhine fought campaigning toured lands advertising supporting economy arts refusal participate war increased popularity people strengthened power base west returned rome winter soon fell son early failed attempt title returned constantine court november called general council military city austria resolve instability western provinces attendance briefly returned retirement forced constantine demoted old military companions appointed western regions new system long constantine refused accept continued style members referred theirs frustrated passed promotion newcomer raised office demanded promote offered constantine sons accepted new title spring referring men rebellion rebelled constantine constantine away campaigning sent south contingent constantine army preparation attacks southern announced constantine dead took imperial purple spite large pledge support emperor constantine army remained loyal emperor soon compelled leave constantine soon heard rebellion abandoned campaign marched army rhine moved troops waiting boats row slow waters quicker waters disembarked fled town better able withstand long siege little difference loyal citizens opened rear gates constantine captured crimes constantine granted strongly encouraged suicide july hanged spite earlier relations eager present father devoted son death began coins father image proclaiming desire avenge death constantine initially presented suicide unfortunate family tragedy spreading version according constantine pardoned planned murder constantine sleep learned plot warned constantine place bed killed offered suicide accepted propaganda constantine instituted destroying inscriptions referring eliminating public work bearing image death required shift constantine public image longer rely connection elder emperor needed new source legitimacy speech delivered july anonymous reveals previously unknown connection emperor famed defeating restoring order empire breaking away models speech emphasizes constantine ancestral rule principles imperial equality new ideology expressed speech irrelevant constantine right rule emphasizes ancestry exclusion factors chance agreement men unexpected consequence favor emperor declares constantine moves away religious ideology focus twin hercules instead constantine experienced divine vision granting laurel health long reign likeness recognized saving figure granted rule world poet religious shift paralleled similar shift constantine early reign constantine advertised mars patron mars replaced god conventionally identified apollo little reason believe connection divine vision fiction proclamation strengthened constantine claims legitimacy increased popularity citizens civil wars war middle ill involve imperial politics final act survives letter posted april proclaiming end resumption religious died soon proclamation destroying little remained mobilized seized hasty peace signed boat middle constantine toured britain prepared war fortified northern italy strengthened support christian community allowing elect new rule insecure early support dissolved wake heightened tax rates depressed trade riots broke rome able briefly authority africa man barely tolerated actively supported christian italians summer mobilized constantine occupied affairs east declared war constantine avenge father murder prevent forming alliance constantine forged alliance winter offered sister marriage considered constantine arrangement authority response sent ambassadors rome offering political recognition exchange military support accepted according inter regional travel impossible military buildup place people expecting onset hostilities day constantine advisers generals cautioned attack recommended stating sacrifices produced unfavorable constantine spirit left deep impression followers inspiring believe form supernatural guidance ignored early spring constantine crossed alps quarter army force numbering town army encountered italy heavily fortified town shut gates constantine ordered men set fire gates scale walls took town quickly constantine ordered troops town advanced northern italy approach west important city italy constantine met large force heavily armed cavalry ensuing battle constantine army encircled cavalry flanked cavalry blows soldiers iron tipped clubs constantine armies emerged victorious refused refuge retreating forces opening gates constantine instead cities north italian plain sent constantine victory moved milan met open gates constantine rested army milan mid summer moved army easily dispersed constantine quickly advanced large force camped general forces strong defensive position town surrounded sides constantine sent small force north town attempt cross river unnoticed sent large detachment counter constantine expeditionary force defeated constantine forces successfully surrounded town laid siege gave constantine slip returned larger force oppose constantine constantine refused let siege sent small force oppose desperately fought encounter followed killed army destroyed surrendered soon followed road rome wide open constantine prepared type war waged sat rome prepared siege controlled rome guards stocked african grain surrounded sides seemingly ordered bridges cut reportedly counsel gods left rest central italy constantine secured region support challenge constantine progressed slowly allowing weakness draw regime turmoil support continued weaken races october crowd openly shouting constantine invincible longer certain emerge siege victorious built temporary boat bridge preparation field battle constantine october sixth anniversary reign approached keepers books guidance keepers day enemy romans die advanced north meet constantine battle constantine army adopt greek letters christ initials organized forces twice size constantine long lines facing battle plain backs river constantine army arrived field bearing unfamiliar symbols standards soldiers shields according constantine visited dream night battle advised mark heavenly sign god shields soldiers means letter head bent round marked christ shields describes version marching midday saw eyes heavens trophy cross arising light sun carrying message hoc sign conquer account constantine dream following night christ appeared heavenly sign told standard army form vague events took place enters narrative war begins describes sign traversed symbol representing letters greek spelling word christ issued showing constantine wearing helmet coins issued repeat image figure rare uncommon imperial propaganda constantine deployed forces length line ordered cavalry charge broke cavalry sent infantry infantry pushing slaughtered drowned battle brief troops broken charge horse guards initially held position broke force cavalry charge broke ranks fled river rode attempted cross bridge boats pushed mass fleeing soldiers drowned rome constantine entered rome october staged grand city met popular body head streets ceremonies head sent offer resistance unlike predecessors constantine neglected trip hill perform customary sacrifices temple choose honor visit promised restore ancestral privileges secure role reformed government revenge supporters response senate decreed title meant listed official documents acclaimed greatest issued returning property lost recalling political releasing imprisoned opponents extensive propaganda campaign followed image systematically public places written set image constantine later works best representative strand propaganda declared invalid honors granted leaders senate constantine attempted remove influence rome urban landscape structures built dedicated constantine including focal point stone statue constantine holding christian hand erected inscription bore message statue clear sign constantine freed rome achievements constantine circus redeveloped total seating capacity times larger racing complex strongest supporters military disbanded ground use november barely weeks constantine captured city base chosen redevelopment removed remainder armies sent frontier duty rhine wars following years constantine gradually consolidated military superiority rivals met milan secure alliance marriage constantine half sister meeting emperors agreed called milan officially granting tolerance christianity religions empire document special benefits christians religion granting restoration property seized persecution past methods religious general terms refer divine sphere supreme conference cut short news reached rival crossed invaded european territory departed eventually defeated gaining control entire eastern half relations remaining emperors deteriorated constantine suffered assassination attempt hands character wanted elevated rank constantine statues destroyed fought battle constantine victorious clashed battle agreed settlement constantine sons son arrangement constantine ruled macedonia took residence wage war year allegedly religious freedom promised began christians generally christian office holders characterization anti christian somewhat doubtful fact far open support christianity constantine prone church force loyal constantine imperial system general explanation offered dubious arrangement eventually challenge constantine west great civil war aided mercenaries represented past ancient pagan constantine marched standard sides saw battle religious terms outnumbered fired zeal constantine army emerged victorious fled appointed commander bodyguard constantine won battle finally battle september surrendered constantine promise lives spared sent live private citizens respectively constantine accused plotting arrested hanged son son constantine half sister killed constantine sole emperor later rule defeat came represent defeat rival center pagan political activity east opposed christian latin speaking rome proposed new eastern capital represent integration east center learning prosperity cultural preservation locations proposed alternative capital constantine appears earlier present day reported saying rome considered eventually constantine decided work greek city byzantium offered advantage having extensively rebuilt roman patterns preceding century acknowledged strategic importance city founded dedicated renamed constantine city constantinople english special commemorative coins issued honor event new city protected relics rod moses holy relics cameo represented constantine crowned new city figures old gods replaced framework christian symbolism constantine built new site temple generations later story divine vision led constantine spot angel led circuit new walls capital compared old rome new rome constantinople religious policy constantine emperor stop christian christianity religions february constantine met milan developed stated christians allowed follow faith oppression removed penalties christianity previously returned confiscated church property protected religious persecution christians religions allowing worship deity chose similar issued senior emperor granted christians right religion restore property milan included clauses stated confiscated churches returned provisions previously persecuted christians scholars debate constantine adopted mother christianity youth adopted gradually course life constantine retain title death title emperors bore heads pagan christian successors according christian writers constantine finally declared christian writing christians clear believed owed successes protection christian high god rule constantine supported church financially built granted privileges clergy exemption certain taxes promoted christians high office returned property confiscated persecution famous building projects include old constantine certainly christianity gaining victory arch arch constantine built celebrate triumph arch decorated images goddess victoria time dedication sacrifices gods like apollo diana hercules absent arch depictions christian symbolism arch commissioned senate absence christian symbols reflect role time pagan later constantine instructed christians non christians united observing day sun sunday referring sun worship established official cult furthermore long alleged conversion christianity constantine continued carry symbols sun pagan gods disappeared christian symbols appeared constantine personal attributes hands coin constantine dedicated new capital constantinople seat byzantine christianity millennium wearing sun christian symbols present dedication reign constantine established precedent position emperor having great influence ultimate regulatory authority religious discussions involving early christian councils time notably dispute nature god constantine disliked risks societal stability religious disputes controversies brought preferring possible establish way constantine influence early church councils seek establish consensus debated argued issue nature god notably bishops north_africa struggled christian bishops ordained opposition african bishops come terms asked constantine act judge dispute regional church councils trial constantine ruled movement north_africa constantine issued church property send clergy exile significantly summoned effectively classified known dealing creed constantine enforced prohibition celebrating lord supper day jewish easter controversy marked definite break christianity tradition roman julian calendar solar calendar given precedence christian churches constantine new laws jews unfavorable jews predecessors illegal jews seek converts attack jews converted christianity forbidden christian slaves slaves hand jewish clergy given christian clergy administrative reforms beginning century emperors began favor members equestrian order senators monopoly important offices state senators stripped command provincial felt lacked specialized military upbringing needed age acute defense needs posts given colleagues following practice enforced predecessors emperors needed talents help rich relied maintain social order means web powerful influence contacts levels exclusion old aristocracy threatened arrangement constantine reversed pro equestrian trend raising administrative positions rank opening offices old aristocracy time rank existing office holders senator equestrian order bureaucratic rank process end 4th century title granted mid low officials new arrangement senator elected cases fulfilling function rank holding actual power social status joint imperial hierarchy time constantine gained support old nobility senate allowed elect place usual practice emperors directly creating new inscription honor city written constantine restored senate lost time senate body remained devoid significant power senators potential holders imperial functions 3rd century dispute positions alongside modern historians administrative reforms attempt constantine order imperial administrative elite counter possibility pagan senators imperial rule interpretation remains given fact precise numbers conversions christianity old historians suggesting early conversions old aristocracy numerous previously supposed constantine reforms civilian administration military chiefs crisis century risen ranks remained outside senate included constantine children monetary reforms runaway inflation century associated production money pay public expenses tried unsuccessfully establish silver coins failure attempts restoration functioning silver coin resided fact silver currency terms actual metal content discounted rates pure silver ceased soon currency continued early constantine attempts restoring silver currency preferring instead concentrate large quantities good standard gold pieces pound gold new highly silver pieces continue issued constantine later reign death continuous process eventually ceased silver piece facto continued denominations bronze coins important bronze pieces continued assuring possibility keeping alongside gold standard anonymous author possibly contemporary treatise military affairs held consequence monetary policy rift classes widened rich benefited stability purchasing power gold piece poor cope bronze pieces later emperors like julian tried present advocates insisting bronze currency constantine monetary policy closely associated religious ones increased associated measures taken closed gold silver bronze statues pagan temples declared imperial property monetary assets imperial commissioners province task getting hold statues having immediate exception number bronze statues public monuments new capital constantinople executions date june constantine eldest son seized death cold poison croatia july constantine wife empress killed behest mother left die heated bath names wiped face inscriptions references lives literary record erased memory condemned example edited praise later copies contains mention ancient sources willing discuss possible motives events offer later generally unreliable time executions commonly believed empress illicit relationship spreading rumors effect popular myth arose modified legend suggestion constantine killed source largely fictional passion probably penned eighth century john damascus makes legendary connection explicit interpretation executions myth rests evidence sources relationship late unreliable modern suggestion constantine irregularities connected rests evidence constantine created apparent heirs following pattern established gave creations hereditary character alien system constantine kept hope ascending empire entirely long alive alternative explanation execution constantine desire firm grip prospective heirs desire having sons instead half brother reason killing subsequent execution probably meant reminder children constantine killing relatives felt necessary later campaigns constantine considered constantinople capital permanent residence lived good portion later life rebuilt bridge danube hopes province abandoned late winter constantine campaigned weather lack food cost reportedly nearly thousand died submitted rome overthrown leaders constantine led campaign tribe won victory war extended control region remains camps fortifications region indicate constantine farmers roman districts rest army constantine took title years life constantine plans campaign persia letter written king persia constantine asserted patronage persia christian subjects urged treat letter response border raids constantine sent guard eastern frontier prince invaded armenia christian kingdom installed persian client throne constantine resolved campaign persia treated war christian crusade calling bishops accompany army commissioning tent shape church follow constantine planned baptized jordan river crossing persia persian diplomats came constantinople winter seeking peace constantine turned away campaign called constantine sick spring sickness death constantine known death soon come constantine secretly prepared final resting place came sooner expected soon constantine fell seriously ill left constantinople hot near mother city southern shores present day gulf church mother built honor prayed realized dying seeking attempted return constantinople making far suburb summoned bishops told hope baptized christ written baptized requested baptism right away promising live christian life live illness bishops records performed sacred ceremonies according custom chose bishop bishop city lay dying baptism followed custom time postponed baptism infancy thought constantine baptism long sin possible constantine died soon suburban villa called day day festival directly following easter constantine death follows conclusion persian campaign account sources report death occurring middle emperor julian nephew constantine writing observes escaped punishment ill deeds constantine died middle preparations war similar accounts given anonymous document composed constantine living constantine dying written constantine dying estate near called marching handbook compiled emperor constantine dying state villa accounts concluded edited defend constantine reputation saw version campaign following death body transferred constantinople buried succeeded sons born number relatives killed followers notably constantine held rank presumably eliminate possible contenders complicated succession daughters wife emperor julian legacy earned great christian historians long died claimed title military achievements victories reuniting empire emperor constantine won major victories constantine long lost province forced abandon time death planning great expedition end raids eastern provinces serving total years combining years ruler sole ruler longest serving emperor second longest serving emperor roman history cultural sphere constantine contributed revival clean face fashion roman emperors originally introduced romans new roman imperial fashion lasted reign byzantine_empire considered constantine founder figures tradition later byzantine state great honor emperor hailed new constantine emperors including emperor carried monumental forms court suggest constantine successor equal constantine acquired role warrior motif equestrian mounted figure posture triumphant roman emperor visual metaphor praise local constantine enjoyed renewed popularity western france eleventh twelfth centuries churches consider constantine saint called equal airport named constantine great honor large cross planned built hill overlooking project cancelled memorial erected honor commemoration milan held historiography life sons constantine presented virtue praise sons died nephew son law wrote satire constantine calling inferior great pagan emperors given luxury greed following julian began continued tradition blamed constantine weakening empire christians medieval times roman_catholic_church dominant catholic historians presented constantine ideal ruler standard king emperor measured renaissance anti sources prompted evaluation constantine career german writings published latin translation thereof preface argued picture constantine superior offered church historians damned constantine man criticized favoring account era life constantine presents constantine model christian prince history decline fall roman empire aiming unite extremes scholarship offered portrait constantine built contrasted narratives form parallels account empire decline presents noble war hero corrupted christian influences transforms oriental old age hero cruel monarch modern interpretations constantine rule begin age constantine great constantine politician parties quest secure power writing 1930s followed evaluation constantine constantine developed interest christianity witnessing political skeptical authenticity pseudo assume responsibility vision conversion narratives work des der wrote tradition presented constantine sincere war hero product constantine philosophical child era religious related histories constantine constantine gave portraits visionary constantine later accounts willing present constantine genuine convert christianity beginning constantine great reinforced tradition developed presented constantine committed christian seminal constantine represents culmination trend barnes constantine experienced radical conversion drove personal crusade convert empire recent constantine takes spite barnes work arguments strength depth constantine religious conversion continue certain themes school reached new extremes christianity constantine great presented constantine committed christian early childhood similar view constantine held recent work notre est speculate origins constantine christian motivation presents role emperor religious revolutionary believed meant play role economy salvation humanity latin rite catholics considered inappropriate constantine baptized death bed unorthodox bishop undermined authority early fourth century legend emerged pope cured pagan emperor according legend constantine soon baptized began construction church palace eighth century likely document called appeared converted constantine hands temporal rule city rome provinces districts cities italy western regions successors high middle ages document accepted basis pope temporal power denounced emperor lamented root papal poet 15th century proved document medieval period regarded constantine king people particularly owed fame proclamation emperor britain confusion family supposed wife son 12th century henry included passage emperor constantine mother making daughter king cole expanded story highly fictionalized account supposed kings britain origins anglo saxon invasion according cole king senator came britain afraid romans cole submitted roman law long retained died month later took throne marrying cole daughter son constantine succeeded father king britain roman emperor historically series events extremely left time left britain additionally earlier source mentions born britain let princess henry source story unknown lost documentaries include pbs jesus christ christians chapter pbs christ constantine episode constantine ancient sources modern sources
Constantine the Great