- son of Constantius Chlorus and Helena (an innkeeper's daughter) - acclaimed as Augutus by his troops - when Galerius died, it was open war between him and Maxentius
- Battle of Milvian Bridge, 312 - outnumbered 4-1, Constantine defeated Maxentius and his troops and Maxentius died in the retreat - Constantine claimed to have seen a vision from the Christian God, a cross and In hoc signo vinces (“In this sign you will conquer”)- this victory made Constantine the sole Augustus in the west - in 323 there was war between him and Licinus to see who would be sole ruler (Constantine won in 324)
- continued the reorganization of the army with more German troops in the army, higher taxes, more bureaucracy and more strict laws to pay for the army - set up a new capital city, Constantinople (Constantine's city - closer to the Danube and the Persian frontier)
- 311, Edict of Serdica, freedom of religion granted to Christians - Constantine began moving the state toward being a “Christian” empire - “chaired” the council of Arelate (314) and Niceae (325) - apparently saw Christianity as a unifying force in the empire
- 326, suspicious of treason, ordered the death of his wife and oldest son - baptized on his death
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