Historical Figure
Constantine the Great
272–337
Roman emperor from 306 to 337
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Key Dates
Birth
272 February 27, 272 →Death
337 May 22, 337 →Biography
Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, or known mononymously as Constantine, was Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337 and the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. He played a pivotal role in elevating the status of Christianity in Rome, the Edict of Milan decriminalising Christian practice and ceasing Christian persecution. This was a turning point in the Christianisation of the Roman Empire. He founded the city of Constantinople and made it the capital of the Empire, which it remained for over a millennium.
Timeline
Constantine the Great enters Rome after his victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, stages a grand adventus in the city, and is met with popular jubilation. Maxentius' body is fished out of the Tiber and beheaded.
October 29 →The Edict of Milan, signed by Constantine the Great and co-emperor Valerius Licinius granting religious freedom throughout the Roman Empire, is posted in Nicomedia.
June 13 →Constantine the Great decisively defeats Licinius in the Battle of Chrysopolis, establishing Constantine's sole control over the Roman Empire.
September 18 →Constantine the Great dedicates the much-expanded and rebuilt city of Byzantium, changing its name to New Rome and declaring it the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
May 11 →Constantine the Great announced free distributions of food to the citizens in Constantinople.
May 18 →Roman Emperor Constantine the Great elevates his youngest son Constans to the rank of Caesar.
December 25 →Emperor Constantine the Great consecrated the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
September 13 →More from the Late Antiquity
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