The first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, made it the state religion, and ushered in, as a result, the most momentous transformation of Western culture.
The son of Constantius (co-emperor with Galerus) and a devout Christian (apparently a former barmaid from the Balkans), Constantine succeeded his father as augustus upon the latter's death in 306. Despite the succession plan so carely put into place by Diocletian, 307 saw the fragmentation of the empire as different factions stirred to grap power for themselves which, though quelled for a while by the elderly Diocletian coming out of retirement, continued unabated until Constantine, in alliance with Licinius, was forced to confront his greatest enemy, Maxentius, claimant as emperor of the Western empire, in 317. Maxentius was reputed to practice black magic and the fear in Constantine was naturally heightened.
As the final showdown at Milvian Bridge (fording the River Tiber in Rome), Constantine had a dream in which—according to Eusebius, his biographer—he saw in the sky the sign of a cross and heard a voice command him, In hoc signo vinces, 'By this sign conquer.' So he did, and won a massive victory over Maxentius, when the latter's troops retreated into the confines of the narrow bridge and were slaughtered with nowhere to escape except over and into the river. Not long afterwards, Constantine also ended his alliance with Licinius, and became the sole power of the empire.
With Constantine's victory came not just official recognition of Christianity as the state's official religion but also immense privileges for the Church. It also marked the beginning of power for the Church and, as power corrupts, her corruption as well. Very quickly also, Constantine was forced to intervene in the many conflicts in which the Christian church had gotten herself into, the most serious of which was the Arianism for which he convened the Council of Nicea in 325 to resolve it. The council brought peace but at a price that did guaranteed that another round of conflict would arise.
About the time Constantine also conceived of building a new capital in the east to augment Rome. For the purpose he chose the ancient city of Byzantium on the Bosphorus, and renamed it Constantinople after himself. Urgued on also by the piety of his mother, Helena, Constantine also began a wide-ranging program of buildings for the Church; thus was Gogoltha and the tomb of Jesus resurrected as the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.
Constantine's own faith as a Christian has been a matter of debate. He chose not to be baptized until just before his death. Some have seen in this a man who would not commit while he lived. Others see this as his personal attempt not to stain the name of his Saviour by failing to live up the great responsibility as a baptized member of His flock.
Neither was his family life a happy one. He had his son from his first marriage arrested, charged for treason and executed, and his second wife, Fausta banished in internal exile. As with most kings, succession was always a divisive issue, and in his life-time Constantine had elevated various members of his broader family to positions of power. He died leaving the succession still in doubt. Bloodbath followed as his three sons—Constantine II, Constantius, and Constans—settled the matter by slaughtering all their living relatives leaving only one cousin, Julian, who would, nevertheless, outlive them and become the emperor known as Julian the Apostate.
Constantine's reputation has not fared well in recent literature. Most Christians seem to glean their knowledge of the emperor more from the literary rubbish of Dan Brown than from proper history. Muslim writers, on the other hand, are keen to paint him, rather than Jesus or Paul, as the "true" founder of the Christian faith.
Media Resources:
W. Robert Godfrey, A Survey of Church History, Part 7. Constantine & the Church. 23.48 mins. Ligonier.org. This is one of 72 lectures.
Audio/Video N (Open on Phone)
Further Reading & Resources:
Anthony McRoy, "The Faith of Constantine: Pagan Conspirator or Christian Emperor?" Foundations 58 (November 2007): 15-28.
Pdf N 4-5 (Open on Phone)
Iain Provan, "The Emperor's New Clothes: Constantine as Old Testament Hero," Crux 56.4 (Winter 2020): 22-34.
©ALBERITH
190518lch