Flavius Valerius Constantinus
Constantine I
I. Birth and Childhood
Born February 27, 272, or 273, or 274, or 280 C.E.
Parents: Constantius Chlorus, later Emperor, and Helena
Held hostage in the court of Diocletian as a young man
Escaped to his father, who died soon after
II. Battle for Power and Constantine's Rule
Declared Caesar, along with six other men
Battle for power leads to civil wars
Constantine wins all wars and becomes the sole ruler of Rome
As ruler he:
-popularizes Christianity
-moves capital from Rome to Constantinople (formerly Byzantium)
-constructs great churches and buildings with the funds of his defeated enemies
Constantine I dies, 337
III. Major Impact: Christianity
Battle of Milvian Bridge, 312
-saw image of Chi-Ro, sign of Christ, in the heavens
-declared himself a Christian
Credits all of his successes to the Christian God
Organizes and leads the first worldwide council of bishops
-council writes the Nicene Creed--basic doctrine of many modern churches
Adopts Christianity as the official state religion
Founds Constantinople on God's orders