1. Dorothy McGee

2. Life  Born: February 27, 272 CE in Naissus, (now Serbia).  Constantine grew up during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. He received an excellent education. He learned to read and write in both Latin and Greek. He also learned about Greek philosophy, mythology, and theatre.  Although he lived a privileged life, Constantine can be considered as a hostage held by Diocletian to make sure that his father (Diocletian’s coruler, Constantius) remained loyal.  He fought in the Roman Army for several years.  Witnessed Diocletian persecute and murder Christians.  His father was in command of the western portion of the Roman Empire (Britain, Gaul, and Spain). He became ill and named Constantine Emperor.  His rule lasted from 306-337 C.E.  Murdered his wife and eldest son in 326 C.E.  Died May 22, 337 C.E. in Nicomedia (Now Turkey).

3. Rule  He built roadways and cities. He moved his rule to the city of Trier in Gaul and built up the city's defenses and public buildings.  Constantine began to conquer neighboring kings with his large army. He expanded his portion of the Roman Empire. The people began to see him as a good leader. He also stopped the persecution of the Christians in his territory.

4. Rule  When Galerius died in 311 C.E., many powerful men wanted to take over the Roman Empire and civil war broke out. A man named Maxentius declared himself Emperor. He lived in Rome and took control of Rome and Italy. Constantine and his army marched against Maxentius  Constantine's army was half the size of Maxentius’ army.  Constantine had a dream telling him that if his army fought under the sign of the Christian cross, they would win in battle. They all painted crosses on their shields and then defeated Maxentius and his army.

5. Rule  After the win, Constantine formed an alliance with Licinius. Constantine would rule the Western part of the Empire and Licinius would rule the Eastern part.  313 C.E.- signed the Edict of Milan.  Now thinks of himself as a Christian.  Seven years later, Licinius decided to renew the persecution of Christians. Constantine wouldn't stand for this and marched against Licinius. After several battles Constantine defeated Licinius and became ruler of a united Rome in 324 C.E.

6. Accomplishments  First Roman Emperor to support Christianity.  Christianity became an accepted Roman religion.  He put the Edict of Milan in power in the western part of Rome (Licinius to the East), which granted religious freedom throughout the Roman Empire.  Reunited the eastern and western districts of the empire.  In 330 C.E. Constantine established a new capital of the Roman Empire, Constantinople.  He almost made the Roman Empire go bankrupt with: his huge bureaucracy; his army; and with the cost of the extravagant churches he built and the cost to build Constantinople.  Taxes had already been high in the time of Diocletian, but Constantine added considerably to them.  Mothers sold their children, and fathers prostituted their daughters to pay the tax.

7. Lasting Impacts  Built the Arch of Constantine, in Rome. He had a giant arch to honor his victory over Maxentius.  The religion most followed in Rome today is Christianity.  Drastically changed the Christian religion to what it is today.  Constantine changed the time of the Resurrection of Christ.(Changed from Resurrection held 14 days after the first new moon following the spring equinox - the first Sunday following the spring equinox.)  Constantine changed the time of the birth of Christ (January 7 to December 25).  Constantine changed the relationship of Christianity to the state.

8. Sources  http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/peopl e/p/constantine.htm http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/peopl e/p/constantine.htm  http://www.prudentmusings.com/christia nity/the-impact-of-constantine/ http://www.prudentmusings.com/christia nity/the-impact-of-constantine/  http://www.reformation.org/6-changes- of-constantine.html http://www.reformation.org/6-changes- of-constantine.html