Unfortunately, six other men (besides Constantine) were also appointed Augustus,or supreme ruler: Maximian, Maximinus Daia, Licinius, Galerius, and Domitius Alexander (in Africa). Naturally, there were great civil wars between these seven men, each looking to be the sole ruler of Rome. The deaths of Maximian, Galerius, and Domitius Alexander, by old age and conspiratorial murder, led to a standoff in 311. Constantine and Maxentius ruled the west, while Licinius and Maximinus Daia took the east, including the capital, Rome. Constantine, who was the greatest general of the four, entered Italy and defeated Maxentius. This battle, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, was the foundation for Constantine's devotion to Christianity, for it was here that he saw a vision of the cross, and was so overwhelmed by it that he adopted Christianity for himself. Next, Constantine joined forces with Licinius, who married Constantine's sister, sealing the agreement. Constantine then took control of the Eastern Christians by signing the Edict of Milan in 313, guaranteeing them tolerance. Licinius conquered Maximinus Daia, and the two (Constantine and Licinius) were victorious in the west as early as 312. They parted in 316, when Constantine took two dioceses (provinces) and arranged a ten year truce with Licinius.
A few years later, the truce was broken. While Constantine converted
to Christianity, Licinius persecuted the Christians. This disagreement led
to another war, and eventually Constantine won and executed his defeated
foe. Constantine used Licinius's treasury to benefit the state by building
grand churches and edifices. He also used the funds to build Byzantium in
324, later renamed Constantinople in his honor, into the new capital of
the empire and of Eastern Christianity. In 337, he divided his empire among
his three sons (born of his second wife, Fausta) who remained after he had
Crispus (another son, born of first wife Minervina) executed. Constantine
II was given the west, Constantius II, the east, and Constans, Africa. Constantine
died May 22, 337, and was baptized on his deathbed.