Emperor Constantine
Constantine was born at Naissus in the province of Moesia Superior on February 27, 272 or 273. Constantius, Constantine's father, was a military officer. Constantine's mother's name was Helena and was known to be a humble person. Throughout his life, Constantine proved himself to the Roman people. On March 1st of 293, he exceeded the rank of Caesar. Shortly after, he married Theodora, the daughter of Maximian. When Diocletian retired on May 1st of 305, Constantine made the rank of Augustus. In 306, when Constantine's father Constantius Chlorus died, Constantine was announced Augustus by his troops at York. Galerius (Constantine's opponent) refused to accept Constantine. This didn't last long. In 308, Constantine was required to give up his title and return to the rank of Caesar. He refused, and to prove himself, he went campaigning against the Germans. He marched his German armies into Gaul, and forced Maximian to flee to Massilia. Maximian was Fausta's father, which was Constantine's wife. Maximian either committed suicide of was executed in 310. The persecution of Christians was had already begun (started in 303). Constantine supported the Christians. He put an end to the persecution of Christians by the Edict of Mulan in 313. O
ne night when Constantine and his army were on a march toward Rome, it has been said that Christ appeared to Constantine and told him to "place the heavenly sign on the battle standards of his army." He then told his men to place a cross on their shield for battle. He later learned the cross was the symbol of the Christian Faith. From that day forward, Constantine was committed to the Christian Faith. Just before the tenth anniversary of his approval from the Senate as Emperor, the Arch of Constantine was finished. There were many celebrations. All sacrifices to the pagan gods were not allowed. Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge in 312. The opposing army's boats collapsed, and thousands of men drowned including Maxentius himself. From then on, Constantine saw himself as the 'emperor of the Christian People'. Politically, Constantine wanted sole power, and so did Licinius. In 313, an agreement was reached because of obligation, not at all mutual. This was not enough, however, because of political greed. In 316, a war began. There were two battles in the first war, at Cibalae, Pannonia, and on the campus Ardiensis in Thrace. Licinius took a loss, but the second battle had no victory. Licinius had to sign an agreement that he would remain at the rank of Augustus. In 317, Crispus and Constantine II, sons of Constantine, and Licinius, who was the son of the eastern emperor Licinius were positioned to Caesars. But Constantine was sympathetic towards the Christians, and Licinius resisted such type of actions. He started exiling Christians in 320 an
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Approximate Word count = 1057
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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