CONSTANTINE:

Life of Constantine: A Biography

The life of Constantine was an interesting one, further so because his background was relatively
unusual for a future Roman emperor. Constantine was born sometime around the year 272
AD in the city of Naissus on the Balkan Peninsula. Today, this region is part of Serbia, but during
Constantine's lifetime, it was part of the Roman province of Moesia. Constantine's father,
Flavius Constantius, was a soldier. His mother was a commoner of Greek descent.

Flavius Constantius was an exemplary soldier who rose to become one of the emperor's elite
body guards. His skill then lead him to become a provincial governor, and eventually to the role
of Augustus, a type of co-emperor. It is important to note that Constantine did not have noble
roots. His father earned his place in the imperial hierarchy in as way that few other men in
Roman history had ever been able to do.

Due to his father's elevated status, Constantine grew up in the imperial court of the emperor
Diocletian. He did not directly inherit his father's position, but instead had to win his position
via a number of civil wars with other contenders to the throne. In 324 AD he became emperor
of both the Eastern and Western Roman empires.

Life of Constantine: Life and Family

 From relatively humble background
 Father rose through the ranks of the Roman army to achieve a high-ranking position
 Became emperor in 324 after a long series of battles
 His first wife was Minervina
 His second wife was Fausta
 His son Constantine II became emperor after his death

Life of Constantine: Conversion

Constantine spent most of his life believing in the traditional gods of Rome. The Romans
practiced a polytheistic faith that had a number of anthropomorphic gods and goddesses.
However, beginning in the 1st century AD, Christianity started to spread rapidly throughout the
empire. At first, the Romans were extremely hostile to Christians - they were severely
persecuted, and many were killed. By the time of Constantine's childhood, however, so many
Romans had converted to Christianity that the religion was becoming increasingly tolerated by
ordinary Romans. In fact, Constantine himself knew many prominent Christian leaders and
theologians throughout his life.
In 313 AD. Constantine, and a co-emperor named Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan. This law
gave Christians the right to worship openly throughout the empire, and allowed them to
become fully-recognized members of society. This edict was one of the most important events
in the history of Christianity. It was the first step to Christianity becoming the official religion of
the empire.

Constantine himself converted to Christianity on his deathbed. This act made him the first
Christian emperor of the Roman Empire. It should be noted, however, that some historians
believe that he may have privately converted much earlier during the Battle of the Milvian
Bridge in 312 AD.