description Emperor Constantine I Overview
Constantine I, commonly called Constantine the Great, was Roman emperor from 306 to 337 CE and became sole ruler of the empire in 324. He and Licinius issued the agreement conventionally called the Edict of Milan in 313, which established religious toleration and restored property confiscated from Christians. Constantine supported the Christian church, convened the Council of Nicaea in 325, and refounded Byzantium as Constantinople, an imperial capital inaugurated in 330.
insights Ranking position
Emperor Constantine I ranks #28 of 221 in the Monarch ranking, behind Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, ahead of Emperor Napoleon I Bonaparte.
help Emperor Constantine I FAQ
What happened to Constantine at the Milvian Bridge?
Constantine defeated Maxentius near Rome at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE. Christian accounts connect the campaign with a vision or dream that led Constantine to adopt a Christian sign for his troops.
Did the Edict of Milan make Christianity Rome's official religion?
No. The 313 agreement associated with Constantine and Licinius granted religious toleration and restored confiscated Christian property, while Christianity became the empire's official religion later under Theodosius I.
Why did Constantine call the Council of Nicaea?
Constantine convened the council in 325 CE to address the Arian controversy and promote unity among Christian bishops. The meeting produced the original Nicene Creed and ruled on several questions of church practice.
Why did Constantine establish Constantinople?
Constantine refounded Byzantium as an imperial capital and dedicated Constantinople in 330 CE. Its position on the Bosporus connected Europe and Asia and provided access to major military and commercial routes.
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