Constantine

Most Important Facts about Constantine

Constantine the Great

Born Febuary 27 c.274 in Naissus Death May 22 c.337 at Nicomedia

"In Hoc Signo Vinces"

Signifiance: Constantine "was the first emperor to rule in the name of Christ, he was a major figure in the foundation of Medieval Christian Europe."

1. Constantine became emperor in c. 306-307 ,but didn't become "sole ruler" until c.324. 2. The first emperor to convert to christianity. 3. Founder of Constantinople; present day Istanbul. 4. After becoming ruler Constantine issued the edict of Milan which mandated toleration of Christians in the Roman Empire. 5. During his reign Constantine implemented important adminastration reforms such as reorganiziation of the army, seperation of civil and military authority, he established a central government , gave the senate back its power which it lost previous to his reign and issued new coins as the standard currency. 6. Constantine buit churchs in the Holy Land. 7. Before his death Constantine was baptisted which was very important to christains during that time and even today.

On the eve of a battle with Maxentius a rival; Constantine had a vision. In the vision Christ appeared and told him to inscribe the first two letter of his name (XP) on his and his troops sheields, he obeyed. While in battle Constantine is said to have seen a cross on the sun with the words "in hoc signo vinces" meaning you will be victor. After winning the battle against Maxentius, Constantine pledged to convert to christianity.

Bibliography http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/people/p/constantine.htm http://www.shsu.edu/~eng_wpf/con-hist.html http://www.roman-empire.net/decline/constantine-index.html http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=206369 Constantine’s baptism pic link http://www.christusrex.org/www1/stanzas/C-Baptism.jpg

The glog page is a painting of Constantine's Baptism