When was constantine in power

There, his soldiers proclaimed Constantine emperor, but much rivalry for the vacated office ensued. Constantine, accepting the lesser title of caesar from Galerius, remained aloof while Maxentius and Maximian defeated Severus and Galerius. Constantine made an alliance with Maximian, marrying his daughter Fausta and recognizing Maxentius after a fashion.

When Maximian, in dispute with his son, fled to Constantine, Constantine received and sheltered him until Maximian, in an attempt to regain the throne, undertook a revolt against Constantine's rule in Gaul. Unsuccessful against Constantine, Maximian was forced to commit suicide. Constantine, having already declared against Maxentius and ignoring the fact that Galerius had recognized Licinius in the East, now considered himself emperor.

Constantine was the first emperor to allow Christians to worship freely, helping to unite and promote the faith. He went on to instigate the celebration of the birth of Christ we call Christmas.

However his place in York's history was already very firmly sealed. Search Search. To settle the matter, Constantine called together a council of the bishops at Nicea, a city near the capital.

He ran the meeting himself. Presiding at the council, Constantine was magnificent: arranging elaborate ceremony, dramatic entrances and processions, and splendid services. He was also a gifted mediator, now bringing his skill in public relations to the management of church affairs. Unfortunately he could not follow abstract arguments or subtle issues and often found himself at a great disadvantage at these councils.

Constantine waited until death drew near to be baptized as a Christian. His decision was not unusual in a day when many Christians believed one could not be forgiven after baptism.

Since the sins of worldly men, especially those with public duties, were considered incompatible with Christian virtue, some church leaders delayed baptizing such men until just before death. He gave his sons an orthodox Christian education, and his relationship with his mother was generally happy, but he continued to act as a typical Roman emperor. He ordered the execution of his eldest son, his second wife, and his favorite sister's husband. No one seems to be able to explain fully his reasons.

While many of his actions cannot be defended, he did bid farewell to the old Roman gods and make the cross an emblem of Victory in the world. Sections Home. Bible Coronavirus Prayer. Subscribe Member Benefits Give a Gift. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. Christian History Archives Eras Home. The ascendant Constantinople soon eclipsed Rome. By the time Constantine established his new capital in A.

Roman emperor Septimius Severus destroyed the city in A. The city became a prosperous and important center of faith, power, trade, and architecture. All rights reserved. Birth of Christianity. Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. In this Byzantine mosaic, dating from the 9th century, the Virgin Mary and child are seated between the Emperors Justinian left and Constantine right.

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