Constantine I was declared Caesar in the West in 306 CE. His
father had been a co-emperor and the young Constantine had earned his spurs
campaigning with his father in Britain. In 312 CE Constantine’s forces overcame
those of his rival Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. According to the
historian Lactanius, Constantine had a dream the night before the battle in
which God advised him to place the slanted X with the Christ figure (Chi Rho)
on the shields of his soldiers.
His soon to be victorious forces did so and
took the sign as a positive message from God. In 313 CE Constantine pushed
through the Edict of Milan legalizing Christianity in the Empire and he himself
converted soon afterward to the faith. Constantine was both an able general and
a strong administrator. He not only defeated the forces of Maxentius but put
down another rebellion by Maximian in 310 CE and after a series of battles
consolidated all of the Roman Empire under his authority when he defeated his
last rival Licinius in 324 CE.
Constantine’s reign represented a significant turning point
that would ensure the growing domination of Christianity within the Empire. In
324 CE he founded the city of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) that was
dedicated in his honour six years later. Although he patronized Christianity,
Constantine was astute in realizing that he could not transform the Empire overnight
and still incorporated many of the pagan traditions within his realm of power.
The Arch of Constantine, built in 315 CE, is replete with pagan imagery.
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