Constantine the Great

Originator and founder of the Christian Roman Empire. Constantine (C. AD 274-337) was a powerful general who had been proclaimed Caesar by his troops. Just before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in Rome in AD 312, he was pondering which gods he should ask for assistance in battle, when he saw the sign of the cross in the sky. Constantine took the celestial advice, made war under the sign of the cross and was victorious. This victory led to his becoming the first Christian Roman emperor, and sole ruler of Rome after his defeat of Licinius in AD 324. Constantinople was founded by him in AD 330 which began the era of the Byzantine Empire. Constantine and his eastern co-ruler, Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan during his reign, which officially ended the persecution of Christians, and allowed for freedom of religion throughout the Empire.

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