Constantine I(the Great)
Constantine I(the Great) (c.285–337) Roman Emperor (306–37) and founder of the Christian empire. A series of feuds for control of Italy ended when Constantine adopted Christianity and defeated Maxentius (312). Constantine and Licinius signed the Edict of Milan (313), which extended tolerance to Christians throughout the Empire. In 324 Constantine defeated Licinius and became sole ruler of the Empire. He presided over the first council of the Christian Church at Nicaea (325), which condemned Arianism. Constantine rebuilt (330) Byzantium as his capital and renamed it Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). Constantine centralized imperial power, but divided the empire on his death. Historians debate whether his Christianity was born of conviction or political expediency.
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Constantine I(the Great)
