CONSTANTINE THE GREAT AND HIS ACTIVITIES

ABSTRACT

The article examines Constantine the Great (272-337 AD), a pivotal Roman emperor. It highlights his role as the first Christian emperor, military campaigns ending civil wars and securing borders, and administrative reforms. Key biographical details include his origin in Naissus, youth as Diocletian’s hostage in Nicomedia, and early career. His rise to power involved becoming Caesar, defeating the Franks and Maxentius, and conflicts with tetrarchs. Emphasis is placed on the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312 AD), where Eusebius reports Constantine’s vision of a cross ("In this sign, conquer") leading to conversion and victory, making him Western ruler. His legacy established Christianity as the state religion and transformed Rome and the Church.

Keywords: Constantine the Great; Roman Empire; Christianity; First Christian Emperor; Military campaigns; Civil wars; Administrative reforms; State apparatus; Naissus; Helena; Constantius Chlorus; Hostage; Diocletian; Nicomedia; Caesar; Franks; Maxentius; Tetrarchy; Maximian; Galerius; Licinius; Maximinus Daia; Battle of the Milvian Bridge; Vision of the Cross; Ἐν τούτῳ νίκα / "In this sign, conquer"; Conversion to Christianity; Ruler of the West; Unification of the Empire; Sole authority; State religion; Transformation of the Church; Historical significance; Eusebius of Caesarea.

Known as Flavius Valerius Constantinus, Emperor Constantine the Great (272-337 AD) is one of the most famous rulers of the Roman Empire. His biography and activities had a colossal influence on the history of Rome and Christianity. He is especially renowned for his efforts in spreading Christianity, his military campaigns, and his administrative reforms. Constantine the Great was the first Roman Emperor to embrace Christianity and actively support its spread. The military campaigns under his command led to the end of civil wars and the strengthening of the empire's borders. His administrative reforms, in turn, contributed to the strengthening of the state apparatus and improved governance efficiency. Overall, the achievements and reforms of Constantine the Great had an enormous impact on both the history of the Roman Empire and the history of the Christian Church.

Constantine I the Great was born on February 27, 272 AD, in Naissus (modern-day Niš, Serbia). Very little information survives about his early years. Constantine's father, Constantius Chlorus, was a high-ranking official of the Roman Empire, and his mother, Helena, was a Christian. Constantius, while formally a pagan, inwardly rejected idolatry and acknowledged the one true God. He raised his children in the Christian faith, which was also facilitated by the fact that, unlike neighboring regions, there were no persecutions of Christians in that part of the empire. According to many historians, it was Helena who had the greater influence on her son. Both were later canonized as saints.

As a child, Constantine was not particularly talkative. He was more of a thinker – quiet and contemplative. Unfortunately, no reliable information survives about which scholars the young Constantine studied under, but it is known that he was particularly interested in philosophy, rhetoric, and religion.

Constantine spent his youth far from home. He was sent to the court of Emperor Diocletian in Nicomedia, albeit with privileges, but essentially as a hostage, guaranteeing his father's loyalty. Life in the capital was full of trials; Nicomedia was a hotbed of sin and vice. However, Constantine preserved the spiritual purity and faithfulness to God instilled in him by his parents from birth. His detachment from court life immediately became grounds for hatred among the surrounding nobility, but through his positive qualities, he quickly won the love of the army and the common people.

Caesar Galerius, envious of Constantine, plotted against him to eliminate him. However, the plot failed, and Constantine returned home to his father, who was by then on his deathbed. In 306 AD, Constantius Chlorus died.

Constantine quickly realized that the path to glory and power lay through military service. He enlisted in the army of Emperor Diocletian in Nicomedia and later participated in campaigns against Persia and Egypt.

Constantine took command of the army but refused to assume full responsibility for its actions. Nevertheless, he demanded the title of Caesar for himself, and Galerius could not refuse him. Soon, Constantine received this title not only in his own domains but also in the eastern parts of the empire. He achieved victories over the Franks. The rebellion of Maxentius, supported by his father Maximian, was defeated, further strengthening Constantine's position.

Constantine married Fausta, the daughter of Maximian, receiving his blessing. After the wedding, Constantine and his father-in-law declared themselves consuls, but this recognition was not accepted in the East. Galerius attempted to attack Italy, but a mutiny in his army forced him to retreat.

In 308 AD, a council was held in Carnuntum, convened by Emperor Diocletian and his co-ruler Galerius. This was one of the last attempts to preserve unity between the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. The council was convened due to a crisis caused by economic and political problems, including monetary devaluation and slave revolts. The council made several important decisions, including making peace with external enemies, strengthening the borders, and improving the economic situation. The Council of 308 AD became a turning point in the history of the Roman Empire, demonstrating the need for reforms. However, the reforms did not bring the desired results, and the empire soon disintegrated.

In 310 AD, Constantine repelled an invasion by the Franks, while his father-in-law, Maximian, attempted to reclaim his title in Arelate. Constantine returned from the war and pursued Maximian, capturing and executing him. Since his claim to the western part of the empire was based on the recognition of Maximian, whom he had killed, Constantine sought new support. He found it in Claudius Gothicus, whom he presented as the father of his own father.

Licinius formed an alliance with Constantine to repel the attack of Maximinus Daia, who had proclaimed himself Augustus of the East in 310 AD. In 312 AD, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between Constantine and Maxentius. Constantine, crossing the Alps before Maxentius could prepare, successfully captured Susa, defeated Maxentius's troops, and returned to Rome.

On October 28, 312 AD, a miracle occurred at the Milvian Bridge. In Eusebius's book "Life of Constantine," it is written that Constantine witnessed a miraculous vision: a Flaming Cross appearing in the sky at noon with an inscription beneath it in Greek: "Ἐν τούτῳ νίκα" ("In this sign, conquer"). This led to his conversion to Christianity. Eusebius claims he heard this story from Constantine himself, but he wrote after the emperor's death and apparently was not an eyewitness himself.

According to Eusebius, Constantine saw a cross in the sky with the inscription: "In this sign, conquer." After this, he ordered his troops to paint the cross on their shields and add the inscription "Christ's name." With this symbolism, Constantine achieved an easy victory over his enemy. The enemy, confident in their superiority, sought revenge, but Constantine's army, superbly trained, gave them a decisive rebuff. Ultimately, the remnants of Maxentius's troops surrendered as prisoners. Constantine showed mercy and incorporated them into his own army. Maxentius's army was crushed, and Maxentius himself was captured and executed. Constantine became the new ruler of the Empire, uniting the Western Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire.

The events at the Milvian Bridge were of immense significance for the history of the Roman Empire. Constantine successfully united the two divided parts of the empire and strengthened his position as the sole ruler. All of this ultimately led to Constantine becoming the undisputed ruler of Rome and the West.

References:

1. https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Istorija_Tserkvi/ocherki-po-istorii-vselenskoj-pravoslavnoj-tserkvi/20
2. https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Konstantin_Velikij/
3. Буркхард Якоб, Век Константина Великого / Пер. с англ. Л. А. Игоревского. – М.: ЗАО Центрполиграф, 2003. – 367 с.
4. Евсевий Кесарийский «Жизнь Константина» (https://k-istine.ru/library/evseviy-panfil-03.htm#39)