Early life
Although there are different sources about the exact year of his birth, Constantine (Gaius Flavis Valerius Konstantinus) was born in Nessus, Serbia as early as 272 AD or later than 285 AD. Because his father was not only a military commander, but also a Caesar in the west, Constantine spent his early years in the court and eventually became a senior staff officer of Diocletian. Even when he was young, people around him thought Constantine was an energetic person. Under the guidance of the emperor, he learned that the ruler's duty is to defend the empire from any external forces and establish a just and orderly society, and Constantine himself will put it into practice after becoming emperor.
In May 305, the senior emperors Diocletian and Maksimian both ceded the throne to Galerius in the east (Maximinus Dai Ya as Caesar) and Constantine in the west (Julius Valerius Severus as Caesar). Not everyone likes these dates. Maximus's sons Maximus and Constantine both felt betrayed, and everyone thought that he should be appointed Caesar. This negligence will not be forgotten, and will eventually lead to a long and bloody war to control the two halves of the empire. After Diocletian abdicated, Galerius allowed the disappointed Constantine to return to the west in 306 AD to serve under his father. Before Constantine died of leukemia in York in July 306 (the reason why he was called "white"), Constantine had the opportunity to launch a campaign against the Picts in England with his father. New Augustus won the title of "Maximus of Great Britain" for the second time in Britain.
After his father died, Constantine continued to build a reputation for quick and decisive action.
After his father died, Constantine continued to be famous for his quick and decisive actions when he attacked the Franks in 307 AD. It was here that he proved that he could act without mercy, when he threw two Frankish kings at the beast in the amphitheater of Augusta Trey frum. However, he can also show sympathy when restoring the church property confiscated earlier. Slowly, he won the respect of the army and let his subordinates see that even those who are old and experienced can trust him.
With the death of Constantine and the success of the British war, many people expected Constantine to be appointed as the new Western Emperor. However, although Constantine named his son Augustus before his death, Severus (a close friend of Caesar and Galerius) was promoted to this position. Regardless of the official decree, Constantine was declared Augustus by his subordinates. But Galileo refused to admit this statement and called himself Caesar. It cannot be ignored that Maximtius was also ignored in 305 AD. Ignoring Galerius and Constantine, he declared himself Augustus in 307 AD 10. With the support of the Roman people and guards, he controlled Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia and parts of North Africa. Finally, as many as six different people will eventually demand control of the West.
Because of his friendship, Galerius, Severus, Constantine and Constantine's brother didn't trust the law. In order to defeat the new Augustus, they formed an alliance with the former Augustus Maxim and joined forces against Severus. Unfortunately, Severus' army, which was ordered to stop Maximtius, abandoned him (bought by Maximtius). Fearing for his life, he fled to Lavaine, where he was arrested and killed outside Rome. His death prompted Galerius to lead the army to invade the west, but failed. In 308 AD, four new kingdoms were established (suggested by Diocletian), with Ricini (Illyrian officer and friend of Galerius) as the new Augustus, and Constantine continued to serve as Caesar. What is even more puzzling is that Maxim (who was an adviser to Constantine's court) retired in 3 10, calling himself the new Augustus, and claimed that Constantine was dead. Constantine, the city refused to help him), Maxim hanged himself in despair.
At the same time, Maxidius' position in Rome is weakening. He has lost his popularity among the citizens of Rome-they are burdened with building a new cathedral and a big statue of himself. His contempt for the people led to a series of riots, which eventually led to the massacre of thousands of Romans. Constantine waited patiently and watched the Western Empire begin to self-destruct, amassing 40,000 troops, crossing the Alps and invading Italy.
Constantine became emperor.
With little support from the city, Maxitius left Rome to meet Constantine and took part in the last crucial battle-the battle of Johan in Milvi in 312. It is reported that the day before the battle began, Constantine looked up at the sky and saw a cross light. Below it is the inscription "Under this sign, conquer". That night, in his dream, he got the explanation of this miracle-Jesus Christ appeared in front of him and told him to take part in the battle with the sign of the cross. The next day, the old banner was replaced by a new banner showing the Christian logo. Although Constantine was outnumbered and easily defeated Maximtius who fled to Rome, he fell into the river and drowned before he reached the city. The next morning, his body was found among many bodies. Constantine's conversion to Christianity is regarded by historians as a turning point in history, with the integration of politics and religion. Constantine immediately took complete control of the west. As the new Augustus of the west, he marched into Rome; His first act was to issue a decree on tolerance of all religions in Milan (later signed by Ricini).
Galerius was the emperor of the East, and Maximinus Dai Ya was Caesar. After Galerius died of cancer (all anti-Christian laws were abolished before he died), Maximinus and Lysinus competed for control of the East, and finally gave them that part of the empire-Lysinus got the Balkans, Maximinus got Asia Minor and the eastern provinces. This arrangement didn't last long. In 3 13 AD, the two men fought on the Thrace Plain. Fight under the sign of the cross like Constantine, Milvi and Lisini of Joan; However, he did this not because of his faith, but to gain the support of Christians; His opponent Maximinus promised to destroy them. Although the number was small, Leigh Signius won. After Maxi Minhos committed suicide, he seized control of the east. In order to succeed to the throne safely, he immediately executed the sons of Galerius and Severus, the Maximinus family, and even the daughter of Diocletian.
There was an unstable truce between Leigh Signius and Constantine, partly because Leigh Signius married Constantine's half-sister. When they first met on the battlefield, Constantine defeated him on the battlefields of 3 16 and 10. The second battle took place near Annapolis, and Hadri ended with the land in the Balkans being ceded to Constantine. In the next few years, with the execution and destruction of several Christian churches, Li Xini's attitude towards Christians changed. This was enough to prompt Constantine to rally his troops and defeat Lichini and Hadri in the second battle of Annapolis. The defeated commander fled the battlefield and fled the Bosphorus. In September 324 AD, Leigh Signius finally defeated and surrendered in Crisopolis. Signius hoped to restore the life of private citizens originally granted by Constantine, but he kept his promise. In 325 AD, Leigh Signius was hanged-even his nine-year-old son was executed. Constantine's victory will reunite the empire.
Byzantium
52-year-old Constantine is now the only emperor of the empire, which brings a sense of stability. Constantine realized that old Rome was not the capital he wanted. Although he has done several construction projects, it is rotting. Rome was no longer practical (Constantine even dissolved the praetorian guard), and Nico Media was never considered because it was once the capital of Diocletian. Need a new capital, although he thought of the ruins of ancient Troy, Constantine finally saw what he wanted-Byzantium. The strategic location of the ancient city is on the European side of the Bosporus Strait, so it will control the traffic in and out of the Black Sea. It also provides an excellent port (Golden Horn Bay), so it can be easily defended.
In order to rebuild the city according to his vision, he introduced craftsmen and resources from all over the empire. There are statues of Alexander, Caesar, Augustus, Diocletian and, of course, Constantine on the wide street. He rebuilt the city wall, built a reservoir, an altar and a pagan temple. This is a Christian capital, while maintaining classicism. In 330 AD, the city was finally built.
Constantine and Christianity
During the years of the Western War, he always showed religious tolerance to pagans and Christians (he claimed to be a Christian since 3 12 AD). His mother Helena is a devout Christian. After Constantine became emperor, he sent her on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where she built the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Although he always worshipped the sun god when he was young, although some people claimed that he was not baptized until his death, he still fully demonstrated that he was a devout Christian. Many historians even think that he made Christianity the official religion of the empire (although others think it was Emperor Sidious), although pagan symbols of the sun god and Mars appeared on his coins. Although he tolerated some pagan religious customs, religious freedom had its limitations. Pagan sacrifices were banned, temple treasures were confiscated, gladiatorial competitions ended (Christians didn't like it), crucifixion was abolished, and laws prohibiting immoral sexual behavior and ritual prostitution were promulgated.
In 325 AD, Constantine invited clergy from all over the empire to attend the Nicaean Conference, at which he called for reunification. The result of the meeting is not only a condemnation of Arioux doctrine, but also a condemnation of the nicene creed, which is the definition of Christians. A year later, in 326 AD, Constantine killed his son crisp (born to his first wife Minerva) and was falsely accused of adultery. His religious beliefs were put to the test. According to sources, Constantine's second wife, Fausta, accused crisp, who had fought side by side with his father and ruled the western province, because she loved him, but he rejected her. Later, she committed suicide after proving that the accusation was false. Constantine regretted it all his life.
die
Constantine the Great continued to be the military commander, and with the help of his son Constantine II, he fought against aleman in 328 AD, defeated the Goths in 332 AD, starved them to death, and finally seized the lost territory from the Dacians (which was later lost after his death). His last wish was to conquer neighboring Persia after King Shapur II invaded Armenia. However, this is not the case. In 337 AD, Constantine was seriously ill and died. He ruled for 3 1 year. He was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostle in Constantinople, leaving his empire to his three sons-Constantine II, Constantine II and Constantine. Constantine II finally defeated his brothers and ruled the whole empire by himself.