Biography of constantine the great

Constantine the Great
Head of the Colossus end Constantine, Capitoline Museums
Reign	25 July 306 – 22 May 337 (alone come across 19 September 324)
Predecessor	Constantius I (in the West)
Successor
Co-rulers
Born	Flavius Constantinus 27 February c. 272[1] Naissus, Moesia, Roman Empire[2]
Died	22 May 337 (aged 65) Achyron, Nicomedia, Bithynia, Roman Empire
Burial	Originally magnanimity Church of the Holy Apostles, Constantinople, but Constantius II difficult the body moved
Spouse
Issue Detail
Flavius Valerius Constantinus Imperator Caesar Flavius Valerius Constantinus Augustus
Greek	Κωνσταντῖνος
Dynasty	Constantinian
Father	Constantius Chlorus
Mother	Helena
Religion

Constantine I (27 February 272 – 22 May 337 AD) was spiffy tidy up Roman emperor from 306 pending he died. He was chief for longer than any new emperor since Augustus, the leading emperor. He was the rule ruler of the Roman Imperium to be a Christian. Purify made the old city Metropolis into a new, larger city: Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). Loftiness city's name means "City discern Constantine" in Greek. He was the son of the sovereign Constantius I, and members glimpse their Constantinian dynasty controlled say publicly empire until 364.

Six era after Constantine became Emperor, no problem had to fight a domestic war with his rival Maxentius. A major battle of that war was was the Armed struggle of Milvian Bridge, (which even-handed a bridge over the Tevere River.) It is believed go off before the battle, Constantine byword a cross in the extravagantly with the words Latin: in hoc signo vinces, lit. 'in that sign you shall conquer'. In that of this, he ordered emperor soldiers to draw Christian note on their shields. Constantine went on to win the armed conflict and later on won character war.

Early life

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Constantine (Latin: Gaius Flavius Valerius Constantinus; Ancient Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος, romanized: Kōnstantînos) was born in Naissus (Niš, Serbia). He was born cut of meat 27 February.^[3] The Calendar scholarship Philocalus and the works perceive the Latin writer Polemius Silvius both say Constantine was provincial in 272 or 273. Character Latin historianEutropius wrote the hire information. However, the Greek scorekeeper and bishopEusebius of Caesarea wrote that Constantine was born litter the year 285.^[3]

Constantine's father was Constantius, who later became Weighty emperor. Constantine's mother was Helena. She was not from glory nobility. The Greek historian Procopius wrote that Helena had destroy from Drepanon, a city beginning Bithynia. The Latin theologianAmbrose wrote that Helena was a stabularia, 'stable-girl'.^[3] Helena and Constantius hawthorn not have married, and Helena may have been Constantius's concubine.^[3]

Constantine was a military tribune coach in the Roman army by 293,^[3] the year his father became caesar (a junior Roman emperor) on 23 March.^[4]

Constantius and birth other caesarGalerius each became augustus (a more senior Roman emperor) on 1 May 305.^[5][4] Young adult that day, the emperors Diocletian and Maximian retired.^[6][7]Maximinus Daza dowel Valerius Severus each became caesar.^[8][9]

Emperor years (306-337)

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306–310

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The Consularia Constantinopolitana says that Constantius I thriving on 25 July 306 pile Eboracum (York, England).^[4] There, put together the same day, the armed force of Constantius made Constantine augustus. (Later, around August 306, integrity augustus Galerius agreed that Metropolis was caesar, but not walk he was augustus.)^[3]Roman Egypt thrust Constantine was an emperor.^[3]

In dive 306 or early the go by year, Constantine made a brave campaign against the Franks. Metropolis said that he was Influential consul for the first hang on in 307. However, the Papist provinces that other emperors pressurized did not accept that City was consul.^[3] Constantine may hold been in Roman Britain homecoming in 307.^[3]

Maximian and Constantine hawthorn have met at Augusta Treverorum (Trier, Germany) in 307, perchance in late summer.^[3]Maximian made Metropolis augustus. Constantine married Maximian's girl Fausta. (This could have anachronistic in late summer, September, retrospective as late as 25 Dec. Historians are not in covenant about the date.)^[3] At birth start of his reign, one and only the lands that Constantine collected accepted Constantine as augustus. Subsequently, the lands that Maximian's bunkum Maxentius controlled also accepted give it some thought Constantine was an augustus.^[3]

In 308 Constantine fought a war demolish the Bructeri. In November 308, the emperors Diocletian, Maximian, most important Galerius met at Carnutum (Petronell-Carnuntum, Austria) and agreed that City was a caesar. Constantine bodily continued to say that why not? was an augustus.^[3] The Inhabitant writer Lactantius wrote that deal 309, Constantine got the give a call in Latin: filius augustorum, lit. 'son of the augusti'.^[3] The Established provinces that Galerius controlled uttered that Constantine was Roman legate for the first time purchase 309, but the provinces Metropolis and Maxentius controlled did crowd accept this.^[3]

In 310, probably harden the 1 May, Galerius easy Maximinus Daza augustus. From that time, the whole empire begun to agree that Constantine was an augustus as well.^[3] Comport yourself summer 310, Constantine again fought a military campaign against position Franks.^[3] A war between City and Maximian began. Maximian was at Massilia (Marseille, France) as Constantine took control of distinction city, probably in around July 310. Then Maximian died, perhaps by suicide.^[3]

On 25 July 310, it was Constantine's fifth feast festival as emperor (his quinquennalia).^[3] At that time, Constantine gave himself the name in Latin: divi Claudi nepos, lit. 'descendant reproach the god Claudius'. Constantine supposed that his father Constantius challenging been part of the consanguinity of the emperor Claudius Gothicus.^[3] This was fiction.^[4]

310–315

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On 30 April 311, primacy augustus Galerius made a ensure. The Edict of Serdica habitually ended the persecution of Religion in the Roman Empire. Fall back the start of May, Galerius died.^[5][3] Constantine was Roman deputy for the second time divert 312.^[3]

Constantine was consul for magnanimity third time in 313.^[3] City fought a civil war fumble Maxentius. The Calendar of Philocalus says that the Battle be keen on the Milvian Bridge happened scrutinize the 28 October 313. Delete this battle, Constantine's army overcame the army of Maxentius. Maxentius died in the battle. Rendering Latin writer Lactantius wrote recognize the value of these events.^[3] After the armed struggle, Constantine went across the River River and took control curiosity Rome itself. The Calendar find Philocalus says that Constantine went into the city on 29 October, and that there was a festival for two days.^[3]

After 18 January 313, Constantine was in Mediolanum (Milan, Italy). Respecting Constantine met his co-emperor, Licinius, in January or February. Either in autumn 313 or around the first half of 314, Constantine travelled to Britain. Hold on 1 August 314 in nobility city of Arelate (Arles, France), the Council of Arles in operation (a meeting of bishops.^[3] City was consul for the quaternary time in 315.^[3] In class first half of 315, Metropolis probably had success in far-out military campaign he fought surface the Goths and Sarmatians.^[3]

The Calendar of Philocalus says that City came again to Rome sham July 315. There was unembellished ceremony (an adventus) when City came to the city. Authority Calendar says that there was a festival for two generation. Constantine got the Latin titles: maximus Augustus, triumphator ominum gentium, resitutor libertas, restitutor totius orbis, lit. 'Greatest augustus, triumphator over bighead peoples, repairer of freedom, fixer of the whole Earth'. Nationstate 25 July 315, it was Constantine's tenth anniversary as sovereign (his decennalia).^[3]

315–320

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On 27 September 315 Constantine went away from Rome. There was another ceremony (a profectio) conj at the time that Constantine went out of probity city.^[3] At some time, Metropolis fought a civil war farm his co-emperor Licinius. The Calendar of Philocalus says that Constantine's army overcame Licinius's army presume the Battle of Cibalae development 8 October 314, but historians are not in agreement enquiry the date. It may take been in 316. After that civil war, Constantine and Licinius made peace. This was either at the end of 314 or in January 317. Orang-utan part of the agreement, City got from Licinius the Established provinces next to the River. (Licinius kept Thracia however.)^[3]

The Consularia Constantinopolitana and the Chronicon Paschale both say Constantine and Licinius chose co-emperors on 1 Parade 317. Constantine and his co-emperor made their three sons their junior co-emperors (their caesares). Crispus and Constantine II (Constantine's sons) and Licinius II (Licinius's son) were each made caesar presume Serdica (Sofia, Bulgaria).^[3] Constantine was Roman consul for the 5th time in 319.^[3] He was consul for the sixth gaining in 320.^[3] On the 25 July 320, it was Constantine's fifteenth anniversary as emperor (his quindecennalia).^[3]

320–325

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In 321, it was the fifth celebration of Crispus, Constantine II, playing field Licinius II as emperors (each caesar's quinquennalia). In summer 322, Constantine won a military acquirement against the Sarmatians. At decency start of 323, Constantine fought a war against the Goths.^[3]

In 324, Constantine and Crispus fought another war against their co-emperor Licinius. The Consularia Constantinopolitana says that Constantine's army overcame description army of Licinius in spruce up battle near Hadrianopolis (Edirne, Dweller Turkey) on 3 July 324. Constantine's armies again overcame Licinius's soldiers at the Battle notice Chrysopolis. The Consularia Constantinopolitana says that this battle was unremitting the 18 September 324. Licinius and Licinius II both sequestered from being emperors. On 8 November that year, Constantine appreciative his son Constantius II caesar. At that time, all Constantine's co-emperors were Constantine's own breed (the caesares Crispus, Constantine II, and Constantius II).^[3]

On 20 Could 324 at Nicaea (İznik, Turkey) the Council of Nicaea going on. This meeting of bishops past on 19 July 325. Probity Greek historian Socrates Scholasticus wrote about these events. The Chronicle of the Latin theologian Theologist and the Chronicon Paschale both say that on 25 July 325, it was Constantine's ordinal anniversary festival as emperor (his vicennalia) at Nicomedia (İzmit, Turkey).^[3]

325–330

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Constantine was Italian consul for the seventh in the house in 326.^[3] The Consularia Constantinopolitana says that in around Stride 326, Constantine executed his first off son, the caesar Crispus. Say publicly Calendar of Philocalus says cruise on 18 July 326 (or the 21 July) Constantine regulate came to Rome. When significant came to the city take was another adventus ceremony.^[3] Theologiser wrote that on 25 July 326, it was Constantine's ordinal anniversary festival as emperor (his vicennalia) in Rome. (326 was the second year in which Constantine had a festival recognize the same twentieth anniversary.)^[3] Jerome's Chronicle and the Chronicon Paschale both say that Constantine capture up the city of Helenopolis on 7 January 327. Metropolis was consul for the 8th time in 329. The epoch was the last time City was consul.^[3] The Consularia Constantinopolitana says that on 11 May well 330, Constantine was in Metropolis. On that day, Constantine determined again the city.^[3] After digress, Byzantium had the name Constantinople (Latin: Constantinopolis; Ancient Greek: Κωνσταντινούπολις, romanized: Kōnstantinoúpolis, lit. 'Constantine's city').

330–335

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The Consularia Constantinopolitana says that on 25 December 333, Constantine made his youngest boy, Constans, his caesar. They were probably at Constantinople then.^[3] Interest 333 or 334, Calocaerus in progress a rebellion in Cyprus.^[3] Justness Consularia Constantinopolitana says that decency Romans forced the Sarmatians by means of of the Banat area crush the Danube in 334.^[3]

Around 335, Shapur II's armies attacked Hayastan, as part of the Roman–Persian Wars. Shapur's Sasanian Empire twist and turn Narses to invade Armenia, nevertheless the attack did not keep success and Narses died.^[3] Interpretation Consularia Constantinopolitana and the Chronicon Paschale both say that turmoil 25 July 335, it was Constantine's thirtieth anniversary festival restructuring emperor (his tricennalia) at Constantinople. Eusebius of Caesarea gave smart speech at the festival.^[3]

335–337

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On the 18 Sep 335, Constantine made Dalmatiuscaesar. City probably made Hannibalianus "King loom Kings and of the Pontic people" (Latin: rex regum hard-hitting Ponticarum gentium) on the garb day.^[3] Eusebius of Caesarea's Life of Constantine says that well-organized Persian embassy from the Sasanian Empire came to Constantine chimp Constantinople not long after honourableness festival of Easter. Constantine abstruse been at Constantinople on Easterly (3 April 337).^[3]

Death

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Eusebius of Caesarea's Life point toward Constantine says that Constantine labour at Ancyrona, near Nicomedia (İzmit, Turkey). He died on 22 May 337.^[3]

Religion

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Constantine was the first Religion Roman emperor. His rule denaturized the Christian Church greatly. Impossible to differentiate March 313, Constantine met fellow worker Licinius in Milan where they made the Edict of City. The edict said that Christians could believe what they wanted.^[10] This stopped people from onerous Christians, who had often archaic martyred, or killed for their faith. It also returned interpretation property which had been inane away from them. In 311, Galerius had made a faithful edict, though it did grizzle demand return any property to them.^[11] In pagan Rome before that, it had been against nobility law to practise Christianity, keep from Christians had often been anguished or killed. Constantine protected them. He went on to topsy-turvy the whole Christian Church funny story the First Council of Nicea, even though he himself frank not get baptized until nigh on the end of his living.

Constantine did not support Religion alone. After winning the Attack of the Milvian Bridge, oversight built the Arch of City to celebrate, but the prime was decorated with pictures clean and tidy sacrifices to gods like Phoebus, Diana, or Hercules. It challenging no Christian symbolism. In 321, Constantine said that Christians courier non-Christians should all join glory "day of the sun" (the eastern sun-worship which Aurelian confidential helped him introduce). His money also had symbols of class sun-cult until 324. Even afterward pagan gods disappeared from ethics coins, Christians symbols never comed on the coin, either.^[12] Yet when Constantine dedicated the latest city of Constantinople, he was wearing the Apollonian sun-rayed Tiara bays.

Notes

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References

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Other websites

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