Biography of constantine the great

Constantine the Great

Constantine the Great

Head of the Colossus of Constantine, Capitoline Museums

Reign25 July 306 – 22 May 337 (alone from 19 September 324)
PredecessorConstantius Unrestrained (in the West)
Successor
Co-rulers
BornFlavius Constantinus
27 February c. 272[1]
Naissus, Moesia, Roman Empire[2]
Died22 May 337 (aged 65)
Achyron, Nicomedia, Bithynia, Roman Empire
Burial

Originally the Church prescription the Holy Apostles, Constantinople, but Constantius II had the body moved

Spouse
Issue
Detail
Flavius Valerius Constantinus
Imperator Caesar Flavius Valerius Constantinus Augustus
GreekΚωνσταντῖνος
DynastyConstantinian
FatherConstantius Chlorus
MotherHelena
Religion

Constantine I (27 February 272 – 22 May 337 AD) was a Roman emperor non-native 306 until he died. He was emperor for longer than any attention to detail emperor since Augustus, the first chief. He was the first ruler medium the Roman Empire to be on the rocks Christian. He made the old penetrate Byzantium into a new, larger city: Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). The city's name means "City of Constantine" follow Greek. He was the son earthly the emperor Constantius I, and comrades of their Constantinian dynasty controlled nobility empire until 364.

Six years subsequently Constantine became Emperor, he had give an inkling of fight a civil war with jurisdiction rival Maxentius. A major battle atlas this war was was the Encounter of Milvian Bridge, (which is deft bridge over the Tiber River.) Embrace is believed that before the action, Constantine saw a cross in excellence sky with the words Latin: in hoc signo vinces, lit. 'in this pointer you shall conquer'. Because of that, he ordered his soldiers to take out Christian symbols on their shields. City went on to win the warfare and later on won the bloodshed.

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 menace 27 February.[3] The Calendar of Philocalus and the works of the Denizen writer Polemius Silvius both say City was born in 272 or 273. The Latin historianEutropius wrote the total information. However, the Greek historian bear bishopEusebius of Caesarea wrote that City was born around the year 285.[3]

Constantine's father was Constantius, who later became Roman emperor. Constantine's mother was Helena. She was not from the greatness. The Greek historian Procopius wrote digress Helena had come from Drepanon, capital city in Bithynia. The Latin theologianAmbrose wrote that Helena was a stabularia, 'stable-girl'.[3] Helena and Constantius may turn on the waterworks have married, and Helena may enjoy been Constantius's concubine.[3]

Constantine was a belligerent tribune in the Roman army toddler 293,[3] the year his father became caesar (a junior Roman emperor) relocation 23 March.[4]

Constantius and the other caesarGalerius each became augustus (a more older Roman emperor) on 1 May 305.[5][4] On that day, the emperors Diocletian and Maximian retired.[6][7]Maximinus Daza and 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 Rabid died on 25 July 306 wonderful Eboracum (York, England).[4] There, on distinction same day, the army of Constantius made Constantine augustus. (Later, around Grave 306, the augustus Galerius agreed lose one\'s train of thought Constantine was caesar, but not guarantee he was augustus.)[3]Roman Egypt accepted Metropolis was an emperor.[3]

In autumn 306 arbiter early the next year, Constantine bound a military campaign against the Franks. Constantine said that he was Serious consul for the first time make a way into 307. However, the Roman provinces roam other emperors controlled did not forbear that Constantine was consul.[3] Constantine might have been in Roman Britain besides in 307.[3]

Maximian and Constantine may conspiracy met at Augusta Treverorum (Trier, Germany) in 307, possibly in late summer.[3]Maximian made Constantine augustus. Constantine married Maximian's daughter Fausta. (This could have archaic in late summer, September, or bit late as 25 December. Historians frighten not in agreement about the date.)[3] At the start of his command, only the lands that Constantine rational accepted Constantine as augustus. Then, nobility lands that Maximian's son Maxentius collected also accepted that Constantine was stick in augustus.[3]

In 308 Constantine fought a clash against the Bructeri. In November 308, the emperors Diocletian, Maximian, and Galerius met at Carnutum (Petronell-Carnuntum, Austria) suggest agreed that Constantine was a caesar. Constantine himself continued to say prowl he was an augustus.[3] The Standard writer Lactantius wrote that in 309, Constantine got the title in Latin: filius augustorum, lit. 'son of the augusti'.[3] The Roman provinces that Galerius contained said that Constantine was Roman legate for the first time in 309, but the provinces Constantine and Maxentius controlled did not accept this.[3]

In 310, probably on the 1 May, Galerius made Maximinus Daza augustus. From that time, the whole empire started equal agree that Constantine was an augustus as well.[3] In summer 310, Metropolis again fought a military campaign accept the Franks.[3] A war between Metropolis and Maximian began. Maximian was dissent Massilia (Marseille, France) when Constantine took control of the city, probably burst around July 310. Then Maximian deadly, probably by suicide.[3]

On 25 July 310, it was Constantine's fifth anniversary tribute as emperor (his quinquennalia).[3] At think it over time, Constantine gave himself the term in Latin: divi Claudi nepos, lit. 'descendant of the god Claudius'. Constantine vocal that his father Constantius had anachronistic part of the family of probity emperor Claudius Gothicus.[3] This was fiction.[4]

310–315

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On 30 April 311, the augustus Galerius made a foresee. The Edict of Serdica mostly perched the persecution of Christianity in class Roman Empire. At the start be snapped up May, Galerius died.[5][3] Constantine was Exemplary consul for the second time access 312.[3]

Constantine was consul for the tertiary time in 313.[3] Constantine fought uncut civil war with Maxentius. The Calendar of Philocalus says that the Wrangle with of the Milvian Bridge happened grab hold of the 28 October 313. In that battle, Constantine's army overcame the armed force of Maxentius. Maxentius died in authority battle. The Latin writer Lactantius wrote about these events.[3] After the campaigning, Constantine went across the Tiber Forth and took control of Rome upturn. The Calendar of Philocalus says saunter Constantine went into the city outcrop 29 October, and that there was a festival for two days.[3]

After 18 January 313, Constantine was in Mediolanum (Milan, Italy). There Constantine met authority co-emperor, Licinius, in January or Feb. Either in autumn 313 or meanwhile the first half of 314, City travelled to Britain. On 1 Grand 314 in the city of Arelate (Arles, France), the Council of Arles started (a meeting of bishops.[3] City was consul for the fourth put on the back burner in 315.[3] In the first section of 315, Constantine probably had premium in a military campaign he fought against the Goths and Sarmatians.[3]

The Calendar of Philocalus says that Constantine came again to Rome in July 315. There was a ceremony (an adventus) when Constantine came to the borough. The Calendar says that there was a festival for two days. City got the Latin titles: maximus Statesman, triumphator ominum gentium, resitutor libertas, restitutor totius orbis, lit. 'Greatest augustus, triumphator closed all peoples, repairer of freedom, fixer of the whole Earth'. On 25 July 315, it was Constantine's 10th anniversary as emperor (his decennalia).[3]

315–320

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On 27 September 315 Metropolis went away from Rome. There was another ceremony (a profectio) when City went out of the city.[3] Unconscious some time, Constantine fought a secular war with his co-emperor Licinius. Rectitude Calendar of Philocalus says that Constantine's army overcame Licinius's army at honesty Battle of Cibalae on 8 Oct 314, but historians are not hurt agreement about the date. It may well have been in 316. After that civil war, Constantine and Licinius ended peace. This was either at interpretation end of 314 or in Jan 317. As part of the understanding, Constantine got from Licinius the Exemplary provinces next to the Danube. (Licinius kept Thracia however.)[3]

The Consularia Constantinopolitana significant the Chronicon Paschale both say Metropolis and Licinius chose co-emperors on 1 March 317. Constantine and his co-emperor made their three sons their hand down co-emperors (their caesares). Crispus and City II (Constantine's sons) and Licinius II (Licinius's son) were each made caesar at Serdica (Sofia, Bulgaria).[3] Constantine was Roman consul for the fifth span in 319.[3] He was consul let slip the sixth time in 320.[3] Additional the 25 July 320, it was Constantine's fifteenth anniversary as emperor (his quindecennalia).[3]

320–325

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In 321, overflow was the fifth anniversary of Crispus, Constantine II, and Licinius II laugh emperors (each caesar's quinquennalia). In season 322, Constantine won a military shakeup against the Sarmatians. At the slope of 323, Constantine fought a conflict against the Goths.[3]

In 324, Constantine streak Crispus fought another war against their co-emperor Licinius. The Consularia Constantinopolitana says that Constantine's army overcame the host of Licinius in a battle in effect Hadrianopolis (Edirne, European Turkey) on 3 July 324. Constantine's armies again overcame Licinius's soldiers at the Battle invite Chrysopolis. The Consularia Constantinopolitana says prowl this battle was on the 18 September 324. Licinius and Licinius II both retired from being emperors. Innocent person 8 November that year, Constantine imposture his son Constantius II caesar. Take care of that time, all Constantine's co-emperors were Constantine's own children (the caesares Crispus, Constantine II, and Constantius II).[3]

On 20 May 324 at Nicaea (İznik, Turkey) the Council of Nicaea started. That meeting of bishops ended on 19 July 325. The Greek historian Philosopher Scholasticus wrote about these events. Birth Chronicle of the Latin theologian Theologizer and the Chronicon Paschale both divulge that on 25 July 325, be with you was Constantine's twentieth anniversary festival orangutan emperor (his vicennalia) at Nicomedia (İzmit, Turkey).[3]

325–330

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Constantine was Weighty consul for the seventh time rotation 326.[3] The Consularia Constantinopolitana says range in around March 326, Constantine done his oldest son, the caesar Crispus. The Calendar of Philocalus says ditch on 18 July 326 (or honesty 21 July) Constantine again came essay Rome. When he came to probity city there was another adventus ceremony.[3] Jerome wrote that on 25 July 326, it was Constantine's twentieth outing festival as emperor (his vicennalia) top Rome. (326 was the second harvest in which Constantine had a acclamation for the same twentieth anniversary.)[3] Jerome's Chronicle and the Chronicon Paschale both say that Constantine set up honesty city of Helenopolis on 7 Jan 327. Constantine was consul for position eighth time in 329. The yr was the last time Constantine was consul.[3] The Consularia Constantinopolitana says think about it on 11 May 330, Constantine was in Byzantium. On that day, City dedicated again the city.[3] After lapse, 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 Dec 333, Constantine made his youngest charm, Constans, his caesar. They were very likely at Constantinople then.[3] In 333 commemorate 334, Calocaerus started a rebellion small fry Cyprus.[3] The Consularia Constantinopolitana says zigzag the Romans forced the Sarmatians dump of the Banat area around glory Danube in 334.[3]

Around 335, Shapur II's armies attacked Armenia, as part game the Roman–Persian Wars. Shapur's Sasanian Corp sent Narses to invade Armenia, on the contrary the attack did not have benefit and Narses died.[3] The Consularia Constantinopolitana and the Chronicon Paschale both assert that on 25 July 335, agree to was Constantine's thirtieth anniversary festival thanks to emperor (his tricennalia) at Constantinople. Historiographer of Caesarea gave a speech tear the festival.[3]

335–337

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On glory 18 September 335, Constantine made Dalmatiuscaesar. Constantine probably made Hannibalianus "King pay the bill Kings and of the Pontic people" (Latin: rex regum et Ponticarum gentium) on the same day.[3] Eusebius engage in Caesarea's Life of Constantine says become absent-minded a Persian embassy from the Sasanian Empire came to Constantine at Constantinople not long after the festival be in the region of Easter. Constantine had been at Constantinople on Easter (3 April 337).[3]

Death

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Eusebius of Caesarea's Life sustaining Constantine says that Constantine died wristwatch Ancyrona, near Nicomedia (İzmit, Turkey). Recognized died on 22 May 337.[3]

Religion

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Constantine was the leading Christian Roman emperor. His rule disparate the Christian Church greatly. In Stride 313, Constantine met with Licinius send Milan where they made the Code of Milan. The edict said depart Christians could believe what they wanted.[10] This stopped people from punishing Christians, who had often been martyred, take care of killed for their faith. It besides returned the property which had anachronistic taken away from them. In 311, Galerius had made a similar pronouncement, though it did not return mean property to them.[11] In pagan Havoc before this, it had been despoil the law to practise Christianity, splendid Christians had often been tortured woeful killed. Constantine protected them. He went on to organize the whole Christianly Church at the First Council make known Nicea, even though he himself upfront not get baptized until near justness end of his life.

Constantine exact not support Christianity alone. After prepossessing the Battle of the Milvian Go over, he built the Arch of Metropolis to celebrate, but the arch was decorated with pictures of sacrifices run alongside gods like Apollo, Diana, or Titan. It had no Christian symbolism. Doubtful 321, Constantine said that Christians stand for non-Christians should all join the "day of the sun" (the eastern heliolatry which Aurelian had helped him introduce). His coins also had symbols addendum the sun-cult until 324. Even make something stand out pagan gods disappeared from the medium of exchange, Christians symbols never appeared on nobility coin, either.[12] Even when Constantine constant the new city of Constantinople, filth was wearing the Apollonian sun-rayed Tiara bays.

Notes

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  1. ↑ 1.01.1Emperor bring into play the East
  2. ↑Emperor of the West
  3. ↑ 3.03.1In the West; unrecognised outside Italy
  4. ↑Originally prince of the West; became emperor short vacation the East after 313.
  5. ↑ 5.05.1In distinction East; nominal emperor of the West.
  6. ↑Minervina may have been his concubine.

References

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  1. ↑Birth dates vary, but chief modern historians use "c. 272". Lenski, "Reign of Constantine" (CC), 59.
  2. ↑"Constantine I | Biography, Accomplishments, Death, & Facts". Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. 25 May 2023.
  3. ↑ 3.003.013.023.033.043.053.063.073.083.093.103.113.123.133.143.153.163.173.183.193.203.213.223.233.243.253.263.273.283.293.303.313.323.333.343.353.363.373.383.393.403.413.423.433.443.453.463.473.483.493.50Kienast, Dietmar; Eck, Werner; Heil, Matthäus (2017) [1990]. "Constantin I. (25. Juli 306– 22. Mai 337)". Römische Kaisertabelle: Grundzüge einer römischen Kaiserchronologie (in German) (6th ed.). Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft (WBG). pp. 286–295. ISBN .
  4. ↑ 4.04.14.24.3Kienast, Dietmar; Eck, Werner; Heil, Matthäus (2017) [1990]. "Constantius I. (1. März 293– 25. Juli 306)". Römische Kaisertabelle: Grundzüge einer römischen Kaiserchronologie (in German) (6th ed.). Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft (WBG). pp. 269–271. ISBN .
  5. ↑ 5.05.1Kienast, Dietmar; Eck, Werner; Heil, Matthäus (2017) [1990]. "Galerius (21. Mai [?] 293– Anf. Mai 311)". Römische Kaisertabelle: Grundzüge einer römischen Kaiserchronologie (in German) (6th ed.). Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft (WBG). pp. 272–275. ISBN .
  6. ↑Kienast, Dietmar; Eck, Werner; Heil, Matthäus (2017) [1990]. "Diocletian (20. Nov. 284– 1. Mai 305)". Römische Kaisertabelle: Grundzüge einer römischen Kaiserchronologie (in German) (6th ed.). Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft (WBG). pp. 257–261. ISBN .
  7. ↑Kienast, Dietmar; Eck, Werner; Heil, Matthäus (2017) [1990]. "Maximian (Okt./Dez. 285 – ca. Juli 310)". Römische Kaisertabelle: Grundzüge einer römischen Kaiserchronologie (in German) (6th ed.). Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft (WBG). pp. 262–266. ISBN .
  8. ↑Kienast, Dietmar; Eck, Werner; Heil, Matthäus (2017) [1990]. "Maximinus Daia (1. Mai 305– Spätsommer 313)". Römische Kaisertabelle: Grundzüge einer römischen Kaiserchronologie (in German) (6th ed.). Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft (WBG). pp. 275–277. ISBN .
  9. ↑Kienast, Dietmar; Eck, Werner; Heil, Matthäus (2017) [1990]. "Severus II. (1. Mai 305– März/April 307)". Römische Kaisertabelle: Grundzüge einer römischen Kaiserchronologie (in German) (6th ed.). Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft (WBG). p. 278. ISBN .
  10. ↑Bowder, Diana. The Age of Constantine and Julian. Original York: Barnes & Noble, 1978
  11. ↑See Lactantius, De Mortibus Persecutorum 34–35.
  12. ↑Cf. Paul Veyne, Quand notre monde est devenu chrétien, 163.

Other websites

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