Last Updated:

2024-05-13 07:38:18

Constantine the Great

Roman emperor who converted to Christianity



Roman emperor who converted to Christianity

Constantine the Great, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, played a pivotal role in elevating the status of Christianity in Rome. He founded Constantinople and enacted reforms to strengthen the empire, including introducing the solidus gold coin. Constantine's reign marked a transition from classical antiquity to the Middle Ages.

Martin Luther Charles I of England Reformation Vatican City Charles II of England Carl Friedrich Gauss Oliver Cromwell Titian Pope Francis English Civil War

Constantine's Baptism

Constantine waited to be baptized on his deathbed, believing it would absolve him of sins committed while emperor. Despite supporting Christianity, he retained the title of pontifex maximus and made sacrifices to pagan gods.

271

Reoccupation of Dacia

By 336, Constantine had reoccupied most of the long-lost province of Dacia, which had been abandoned in 271. This demonstrated his efforts to reclaim lost territories of the empire.

272-02-27

Birth of Constantine the Great

Constantine the Great, originally named Flavius Valerius Constantinus, is born in the city of Naissus on February 27, 272. His father, Flavius Constantius, serves as a skilled politician, soldier, and bodyguard to Emperor Aurelian, while his mother, Helena, comes from a humble social background.

274

Birth of Constantine I

Constantine I, one of the most famous emperors of the Roman Empire, was born around 274 AD in Nassius, Upper Moesia, Yugoslavia. He would later play a significant role in Roman history and the spread of Christianity.

280-02-27

Birth of Constantine

Constantine is born in Naissus, Moesia (now Niš, Serbia), to Flavius Valerius Constantius and Helena. He would later become a significant Roman emperor.

285

Birth of Constantine the Great

Constantine the Great, the Roman Emperor of Illyrian ancestry, was born in Naissus, Moesia Superior (modern day Serbia). He was known as the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity.

293-03-01

Constantine's Father Made Caesar

Constantine's father, Flavius Valerius Constantius, is adopted and made caesar by Emperor Maximian. This event would have a significant impact on Constantine's future.

296

Constantine's Military Service in Diocletian's Egyptian Expedition

Constantine first distinguished himself as a soldier in Diocletian’s Egyptian expedition in 296.

301

Armenia Adopts Christianity

In 301 AD, Armenia became the first state to fully embrace Christianity, marking the end of Christian persecution in the region. This event paved the way for the later acceptance of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

303

Constantine witnesses the Great Persecution

In 303, Constantine returns from an eastern military campaign to Nicomedia and witnesses Diocletian executing the 'Great Persecution,' where all Christians under his rule are persecuted, churches and scripture burned, Christians deprived of rank, and priests jailed. Constantine chooses to remain neutral during this period.

305-05-01

Abdication of Diocletian and Maximian

Diocletian and Maximian abdicate, and Galerius and Constantius take their places. Constantine is not initially chosen for a leadership position.

306-07-25

Constantine Proclaimed Emperor

Constantine is proclaimed emperor after his father's death in Britain. This marks the beginning of his rise to power.

306-10-28

Civil War in Rome

Maxentius seizes the title of emperor, sparking a civil war in Rome against Constantine due to power struggles. Galerius does not intervene. Constantine's army faces defection as soldiers switch sides to support Maxentius.

307

Compromise with Maximian

Maximian, the father of Maxentius, negotiates a compromise with Constantine. Constantine agrees to marry Fausta and be promoted to Augustus in exchange for recognizing Maxentius as emperor without military support. This decision boosts Constantine's popularity among the people.

308

Constantine I named Caesar of the West

In 308 CE, Constantine I was appointed as 'caesar' of the western part of the Roman Empire, marking a significant step in his rise to power.

310

War against Maxentius

Constantine engaged in a war against Maxentius, a rival claimant to the Roman Empire, culminating in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

312-10-28

Battle of the Milvian Bridge

Constantine faced Maxentius in a decisive battle at the Milvian Bridge. With the use of the Chi Rho symbol and divine visions, Constantine emerged victorious, leading to the downfall of Maxentius.

312-10-29

Constantine's Triumph in Rome

After defeating Maxentius, Constantine entered Rome triumphantly. He was hailed by the people, while Maxentius' body was displayed and his head paraded through the streets.

312-11-09

Dedication of Lateran Basilica

After capturing Rome, Constantine rededicated all structures built by Maxentius to himself, including the Temple of Romulus and the Basilica of Maxentius. A stone statue of Constantine holding the Christian labarum was erected at the Basilica, symbolizing his liberation of Rome from Maxentius.

313-02

Edict of Milan

Constantine and Licinius developed the Edict of Milan in February 313, legalizing Christianity and all other religions in the Roman Empire. The edict removed penalties for professing Christianity and returned confiscated Church property.

314

Licinius cedes Greece, Pannonia, and Illyricum to Constantine

In 314, Licinius ceded territories including Greece, Pannonia, and Illyricum to Constantine. This event consolidated Constantine's power and influence in the region.

315

Triumphal Arch Celebration

A triumphal arch was built in 315 to celebrate Constantine's victory in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. The arch was decorated with images of pagan gods like Victoria, Apollo, Diana, and Hercules.

320

War against Licinius

Constantine engaged in a war against Licinius, expanding his territories acquired through military campaigns over thirty years.

321

Venerable Day of the Sun

Constantine issued a decree in 321 that mandated everyone in the Roman Empire to observe Sunday as a day of rest, with workshops being closed. This decree reflected Constantine's efforts to blend elements of Christianity with Roman traditions.

323

Decree Banning Christians from State Sacrifices

Constantine issued a decree prohibiting Christians from participating in state sacrifices.

324-07-03

Battle of Adrianople

Constantine's army defeats Licinius's forces at Adrianople, leading to Constantine becoming the sole emperor of East and West.

324-09-18

Battle of Chrysopolis

On September 18, 324, Constantine emerges victorious in the Battle of Chrysopolis, solidifying his power and further establishing his dominance in the region.

325-05-20

First Council of Nicea

Constantine calls the First Council of Nicea on May 20, 325, in an attempt to unify Christian doctrine, particularly addressing the issue of Arianism. The Nicene Creed is formulated during this council.

326-06

Death of Constantine's son Crispus and wife Fausta

Between 15 May and 17 June 326, Constantine captured and killed his eldest son Crispus using 'cold poison' and murdered his wife Fausta by placing her in an excessively hot bath. Their names were erased from inscriptions and literary records, with rumors of Fausta's involvement in an illicit relationship with Crispus.

326-07

Execution of Empress Fausta

In July 326, Constantine had his wife Empress Fausta killed in an overheated bath. The motives behind this execution are believed to be Fausta's desire for her sons to inherit instead of their half-brother, Crispus.

328

Completion of Constantine's Bridge at Sucidava

In 328, construction was finished on Constantine's Bridge at Sucidava (Celei in Romania) as part of his efforts to reconquer Dacia, a province abandoned under Aurelian.

330-05-11

Constantine Renames Byzantium Constantinople

In 330, Constantine chose Byzantium as the new capital of the Roman Empire due to its strategic importance and renamed it Constantinople, marking a shift towards Roman and Christian powers.

331

Construction of the Great Palace of Constantinople

The Great Palace of Constantinople is constructed for the first time under the rule of Constantine I, enhancing the imperial residence and administrative center.

332

Victory over the Goths

In 332, Constantine won a major victory over the Goths, showcasing his military prowess and expanding the reach of the Roman Empire.

334

Victory over the Sarmatians

Constantine achieved victory over the Sarmatians in 334, further solidifying his reputation as a successful military leader.

336

Constantine's planned campaign against Persia

In 336, Constantine resolved to campaign against Persia after Prince Narseh invaded Armenia. He treated the war as a Christian crusade and planned to be baptized in the Jordan River before crossing into Persia.

337-05-22

Death of Constantine

Constantine, after implementing political and economic reforms and being baptized as a Christian, passed away on May 22, 337. He was buried in Constantinople and succeeded by his son Constantine II.

1440

Donation of Constantine

Lorenzo Valla's discovery in 1440 proved the Donation of Constantine to be a forgery.

1453-05-29

Fall of Constantinople

On 29th May 1453, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II successfully captured Constantinople, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.

1576

Johannes Leunclavius' Translation of Zosimus' Writings

Leunclavius published a Latin translation of Zosimus' writings in 1576, offering a balanced view of Constantine's reign.

1853

Jacob Burckhardt's The Age of Constantine the Great

Burckhardt's work presented a modern interpretation of Constantine as a scheming secularist and politician.

1929

Constantine the Great and the Christian Church

Norman H. Baynes' historiographic tradition presents Constantine as a committed Christian, followed by Andreas Alföldi's work reinforcing this view.

1932

André Piganiol's L'empereur Constantin

Piganiol depicted Constantine as a philosophical monotheist influenced by his era's religious syncretism.

1948

The Conversion of Constantine and Pagan Rome

Andreas Alföldi's work further emphasizes Constantine's conversion to Christianity.

1981

Constantine and Eusebius

Timothy Barnes's work portrays Constantine as a Christian who embarked on a mission to convert his empire.

1996

The Christianity of Constantine the Great

T. G. Elliott's work portrays Constantine as a devout Christian from childhood.

2004

Constantine and the Christian Empire

Charles Matson Odahl's book follows a similar narrative of Constantine's commitment to Christianity.

2007

Quand notre monde est devenu chrétien

Paul Veyne's work presents Constantine as a religious revolutionary with a providential role in humanity's salvation.

2012

Memorial Erected in Niš

A memorial was erected in Niš in 2012 in honor of Constantine the Great.

2013

Commemoration of the Edict of Milan

The Commemoration of the Edict of Milan was held in Niš in 2013, honoring Constantine's historic edict.

2022

Major Events in the Life of Constantine I

A list of significant events that occurred during the life of Constantine I, a Roman emperor known for his conversion to Christianity and the establishment of Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire.

End of the Timeline
Constantine the Great