Constantine I

• Name	Constantine I
  Gender	Male
  Person ID	P44554460	My Genealogy
  Last Modified	10 Feb 2010

  
  

  Children	1. Constantius II,   b. 317,   d. 361  (Age 44 years)
  Last Modified	21 Jul 2019
  Family ID	F4371	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Constantine I or Constantine the Great, 288?-337 (r.310-337), was born at Naissus (now Nis?, Yugoslavia), the son of Constantius I and St. HELENA. When Constantius died at York in 306, his soldiers proclaimed Constantine emperor, but much rivalry for the vacated office ensued. Before the battle at the Milvian or Mulvian Bridge near Rome in 312, Constantine, who was already sympathetic toward Christianity, is said to have seen in the sky a flaming cross as the sign by which he would conquer. He adopted the cross and was victorious. The battle is regarded as a turning point for Christianity. Constantine ruled in the West and LICINIUS in the East as coemperors until they fell out in 324. Licinius lost his life in the struggle, l leaving Constantine sole emperor. In a reign of peace, Constantine rebuilt the empire on a basis of absolutism. In 325 he convened the epoch-making Council of NICAEA. In 330 he moved the capital to Constantinople, a city dedicated to the Virginin. As the founder of the Christian empire, Constantine began a new era. He was baptized on his deathbed. Constantine II, 316-40 (r.337-40), was the son of Constantine. When the empire was divided at his father's death (337), he received Britain, Gaul, and Spain. Feeling cheated, he warred with his brother Constans I; he was killed while invading Italy.