New Delhi: Constantine I is commonly known as Constantine the Great, and the name itself is an indicator to the magnanimity of the man and his rule. He was the Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337 and was also the first Roman emperor who converted to Christianity, which enabled the religion to become a powerhouse in subsequent years. Hence, in the history of Christianity, the conversion of Constantine the Great was a pivotal moment. Notably, today is Christmas, arguably the biggest festival of the Christians commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Constantine the Great: The rise to become one of the greatest emperors
Constantine was born in Naissus and while his father Flavius Constantius was a Roman army officer, his mother Helena was a Greek woman of low birth. It is said that it was she who played a key role in coverting her son to Christianity. Constantine started his career fighting for the Roman Empire army and was proclaimed emperor by his army after his father’s death in 306. He eliminated all other contender and become the Roman Empire’s sole ruler by 324.
Constantine as the Roman Emperor
After becoming the Emperor of Rome, Constantine took steps to increase the strength of the empire. The government was restructured and separated military and civil authorities. He introduced a new gold coin to fight inflation which became the standard for Byzantine and European currencies for over thousand years. He reorganised the Roman army and expanded the boundaries of the empire massively.
Constantine and the expansion of Christianity
Since the beginning of 312, Constantine started to favour Christianity and finally became a Christian and was baptised. He elevated Christianity’s status in Rome, decriminalised Christian practice and ceased Christian persecution which led to the Roman Empire’s Christianization. While Christianity started to become the Roman Empire’s dominant religion, historians are uncertain about his reasons behind favoring Christianity. Nevertheless, he is hailed as the “First Christian Emperor” and is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and various Eastern Catholic Churches.
Constantine the Great, Roman Emperor from 306 to 337 AD, significantly impacted both the Roman Empire and the course of Christianity. His embrace and promotion of Christianity, culminating in its legalization, remains his most enduring legacy. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
