Council of Nicaea. Constantine was the most dominating figure of his lifetime, towering over his contemporaries, including Pope Sylvester I. The Elizabethan era is named for her. FringePop321 Chances are good that you know there were other gospels—accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus—that never made it into the Bible. Three centuries after Jesus lived, this council > was given the task of separating divinely inspired writings from those > of questionable origin. The story goes that Constantine had a vision of the words in hoc signo vinces ("in this sign you will conquer") upon a cross, and he swore that, should he triumph against great odds, he would pledge himself to Christianity. Constantine I's father became the Western Roman emperor in 305. Constantine’s decision to cease the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire was a turning point for early Christianity, sometimes referred to as the Triumph of the Church, the Peace of the Church, or the Constantinian Shift. Under this emblem, Constantine was successful in battle and entered Rome. At the Council of Nicea, Constantine the Great settled Christian doctrine for the ages. In 324, Constantine defeated Licinius and took control of a reunited empire. Wearing a sign of a cross, Constantine won, and the following year he made Christianity legal throughout the Empire with the Edict of Milan. In 316, Licinius, who had been sharing power with Maximinus, became the only Eastern emperor. And by establishing a capital at Byzantium, which became Constantinople and then Istanbul, he set into motion events that would break the empire, split the Christian church, and influence European history for a millennium. While the Roman Empire once heavily persecuted the Church, Constantine legalised the Christian faith and even endorsed it to the point of it becoming the official religion of the empire. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was built on his orders and became the holiest site in Christendom. The King James Bible is written in English -- a language that only began to appear in A.D. 449 and was totally unlike the 1600's style of speaking the language. The Fifty Bibles of Constantine were Bibles in the original Greek language commissioned in 331 by Constantine I and prepared by Eusebius of Caesarea.They were made for the use of the Bishop of Constantinople in the growing number of churches in that very new city. By adopting Christianity as the religion of the vast Roman Empire, he elevated a once illegal cult to the law of the land. Constantine was also the first emperor to adhere to Christianity. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); Subscribe to the Biography newsletter to receive stories about the people who shaped our world and the stories that shaped their lives. You can set your address, phone number, email and site description in the settings tab. This would change only after Constantine converted to Christianity. Emperors Nero, Domitian, Marcus Aurelius (of Gladiator movie fame), Diocletian and others succeeded one another with bloody persecutions of Christians. He likely also witnessed the persecution of Christians. Constantine's faith was still imprecise, but few questioned its authenticity. The Fall of Rome: How, When, and Why Did It Happen? Alexander the Great served as king of Macedonia from 336 to 323 B.C. While in power, Constantine issued reforms intended to strengthen his regime. © 2021 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. After this triumph, Constantine founded the city of Constantinople on the site of Byzantium. On October 28, 312, Constantine marched on Rome and met Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge. He had delayed his baptism — a common practice at the time — but now underwent the rite. Flavius Valerius Constantinus, who would become Roman emperor Constantine I, was born on February 27, circa 280 (sources range from 272 to 284), in Naissus, Moesia (now Niš, Serbia). People often wonder if the gospels were changed or corrupted, or even selected (in some back-room conspiracy) for inclusion in the Bible at this time. Kamehameha the Great was the Hawaiian conqueror and king who united the Hawaiian Islands and founded the Kamehameha dynasty. Constantine wasn't the only claimant. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, The Arian Controversy and the Council of Nicea. He is nigh-omnipotent, nigh-omniscient and night-omnipresent Many of the Roman Emperors that came before him were openly hostile to the Gospel, killing and persecuting Christians. To make the designation official, he began to fight for power. The Roman Emperor Constantine (c 280 - 337 A.D.) was one of the most influential personages in ancient history. Constantine I was a Roman emperor who ruled early in the 4th century. > In tracing the origin of the Bible, one is led to AD 325, when > Constantine the Great called the First Council of Nicaea, composed of > 300 religious leaders. He planned a great campaign against the Sassanid rulers of Persia but fell ill in 337. Peter the Great was a Russian czar in the late 17th century, who is best known for his extensive reforms in an attempt to establish Russia as a great nation. Constantine’s Bible Despite the fact that the process of establishing the canon of the Bible began long before Constantine was born and continued after he died and despite him playing no part in it at the Council of Nicaea or anywhere else, the myth continues. Diocletian. He also established a second Senate. Constantine's mother, Helena, was from humble beginnings; it is unknown whether she was the wife or concubine of Constantius. Lucifer has an immense amount of power, he is far stronger than any Demon, Angels and possibly all archangels, he is even stronger than his son Mammon, despite his immense power he is still weaker than God. Born in Naissus, Dacia Mediterranea (now Niš, Serbia), he was the son of Flavius Constantius, an Illyrian army officer who became one of the four emperors of the Tetrarchy. Constantine died on May 22, 337, in Ancyrona, near Nicomedia, Bithynia (modern-day Izmit, Turkey), at the approximate age of 57. Christmas on December 25 . Frederick II, known as Frederick the Great, was Prussia's king from 1740 to 1786. 123 Street Avenue, City Town, 99999 (123) 555-6789. email@address.com . ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. He was the first Christian emperor and saw the empire begin to become a Christian state. One such reform was a reorganization of the army, which helped Constantine when he faced tribes such as the Visigoths and the Sarmatians. Constantine was declared emperor by his troops. Eastern Orthodox Christians, Anglicans, and Byzantine Catholics venerate him as a saint. Much controversy exists over the relationship between Constantine and Christianity. Constantine's most powerful rivals for his father's position were Maximian and his son, Maxentius, who had assumed power in Italy, controlling Africa, Sardinia, and Corsica as well. After his father's death, Constantine fought to take power. By the time Constantius became governor of Dalmatia, he required a wife of pedigree and found one in Theodora, a daughter of Emperor Maximian. To celebrate his victory, Constantine created Constantinople on the site of Byzantium, which had been Licinius' stronghold. He had ruled for 31 years, longer than any emperor since Augustus. Catherine II, or Catherine the Great, served as empress of Russia for more than three decades in the late 18th century after overthrowing her husband, Peter III. Constantine I - Constantine I - Commitment to Christianity: Shortly after the defeat of Maxentius, Constantine met Licinius at Mediolanum (modern Milan) to confirm a number of political and dynastic arrangements. The idea that the book of Corinthians actually has more chapters and verses in Hell than on Earth is not too far off. The next year, Constantius died at Eboracum (now York). Yet you claim that Constantine had the King James Version written in A.D. 325. No, Constantine did not form or collate the Bible. Upon his father's death on July 25, 306 A.D., Constantine's troops proclaimed him Caesar. Flavius Valerius Constantinus was born in Naissus, in the province of Moesia Superior, present-day Serbia. https://www.biography.com/political-figure/constantine-i. After Maxentius' defeat, Constantine and his brother-in-law, Licinius, split the empire between them. Who Was Constantine I? Constantine was in Helenopolis, planning a campaign against Persia when he fell ill. In 325 AD, Constantine called all the Christian Bishops together for the Council of Nicea where they reached a consensus about what the Christian story would be. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. When Rome fell, Constantinople became the de facto seat of the empire. He soon used his power to address the status of Christians, issuing the Edict of Milan in 313. Constantine I (Latin: Flavius Valerius Constantinus; Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος, translit. But his work for the faith of Jesus was enduring. It is very important to clarify exactly what role the Emperor Constantine played in the Council of Nicea, what the purpose for the council was, what happened at Nicea, and briefly how the canon—the Bible as we know it—was formed. Emperor Haile Selassie I worked to modernize Ethiopia for several decades before famine and political opposition forced him from office in 1974. Constantine's decision to cease the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire was a turning point for early Christianity, sometimes referred to as the Triumph of the Church, the Peace of the Church or the Constantinian shift.In 313, Constantine and Licinius issued the Edict of Milan decriminalizing Christian worship. His convocation of the First Council at Nicea produced the Nicene Creed, an article of faith among Christians worldwide. His father would rise to become the Emperor Constantius I and Constantine's mother would be canonized as St. Helena, who was thought to have found a portion of Jesus' cross. The two remained rivals over a decade of uneasy truces before their animosity culminated in the Battle of Chrysopolis, in 324. He set out to return to Constantinople, but grew worse and was forced to halt his journey. (Constantine actually resisted baptism until he was on his deathbed.) Constantine himself was sent to the court of Diocletian, the Eastern Roman emperor. Lactantius Historical Account. Our resident Bible scholar Erin Moon offers a gentle rebuke at the end of every episode. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. Unlike other Angels, Lucifer can manifest on Earth. During a period of civil war, Constantine defended his position against different Roman factions, including Maxentius, Maximian's son. Licinius was routed and Constantine became sole Emperor of Rome. He gained his fame for becoming the single ruler of the Roman Empire (after he deceived and defeated Licinius) before supposedly converting to … Elizabeth I was a long-ruling queen of England, governing with relative stability and prosperity for 44 years. Constantine raised an army from Britain that included Germans and Celts, which the Byzantine historian Zosimus said included 90,000 foot soldiers and 8,000 cavalry. Constantine was a … Constantine I was a Roman emperor who ruled early in the 4th century. In 325 AD Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea, the first empire-wide meeting of church leaders to discuss various controversies. Emperor Constantine (ca A.D. 280– 337) reigned over a major transition in the Roman Empire—and much more. When Constantinus died suddenly in 306, the loyalty of the Army would pass to his son Constantine. Of course, there is the problem that Constantine spoke Latin since he ruled the Roman Empire. Constantinople: Capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, Timelines and Chronologies of Roman Emperors, Roman Empire: Battle of the Milvian Bridge, M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota. For centuries, Catholic popes traced their power to a decree called the Donation of Constantine (later proved a forgery). Charles I was a king of England, Scotland and Ireland, whose conflicts with parliament and his subjects led to civil war and his execution. Find her on Instagram. … He issued an edict that protected Christians in the empire and converted to Christianity on his deathbed in 337. Constantine's mother, Helena, was a barmaid and his father a military officer named Constantius. Akbar the Great, Muslim emperor of India, established a sprawling kingdom through military conquests but is known for his policy of religious tolerance. Constantine borrows characters from the Old and New Testaments liberally. He became the Western emperor in 312 and the sole Roman emperor in 324. In 325 AD Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea, the first empire-wide meeting of church leaders to discuss various controversies. Constantine was the son of a Roman official and his Christian concubine. This video covers the life and reign of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire. Constantine I, byname Constantine the Great, Latin in full Flavius Valerius Constantinus, (born February 27, after 280 ce ?, Naissus, Moesia [now Niš, Serbia]—died May 22, 337, Ancyrona, near Nicomedia, Bithynia [now İzmit, Turkey]), first Roman emperor to profess Christianity. Maxentius. Constantine grew up under the influence of his father's ideas. Constantius had been one of the senior emperors. He was the son of Constantius Chlorus by his first, informal marriage, called concubinatus, with Helena, a woman of inferior birth. He was buried in Constantinople at the church of the Apostles. Maxentius raised an army of 170,000 foot soldiers and 18,000 horsemen. Constantine was a … Constantine now became the Western Roman emperor. Constantine ruled the West, Licinius the East. His father, Flavius Valerius Constantius, was an officer in the Roman army. Erin is a Bible study editor and COO of The Popcast Media Group from Birmingham. His father, Constantinus, was a Caesar under Emperor Maximinian who had won a number of battles and had earned the loyalty of a large part of the Roman military in the West. N.S. Not wanting questions about the divine nature of Christ to sow discord, Constantine summoned church officials to the Council of Nicaea in 325. From the mid-fourth century on, we do find Christians deliberately adapting and Christianizing pagan festivals. Constantine was influential in Christian history for his personal faith, religious politics, issuing the Edict of Milan, and calling the Council of Nicea. In 285, Emperor Diocletian had established the Tetrarchy, which gave four men rule over a quadrant each of the Roman Empire, with two senior emperors and two non-hereditary juniors. GENTLE REBUKE. Answer: It is very important to clarify exactly what role the Emperor Constantine played in the Council of Nicea, what the purpose for the council was, what happened at Nicea, and briefly how the canon—the Bible as we know it—was formed. Some historians argue that he was never a Christian, but rather an opportunist; others maintain that he was a Christian before the death of his father. In 313, Constantine and Licinius issued … During his time of leadership, he united Greece, reestablished the Corinthian League and conquered the Persian Empire. His acceptance of Christianity and his … Constantine And The Bible According to many historians and the writer of the famous Da Vinci Code, the content of the present-day Bible that is known to people worldwide was actually put together by Constantine The Great, who was actually a pagan before this. We strive for accuracy and fairness. This placed him in line to succeed the throne of the Western Roman Empire. A defense of the Textus Receptus Constantine became emperor of Rome in 312 A.D. supposedly embraced the Christian faith for himself and for his empire, in an attempt to bring about the amalgamation of PAGANISM and In 312, Constantine fought in Italy, meeting Maxentius and his forces at the Milvian Bridge on the Tiber River. Constantine and Helena were shuffled off to the eastern emperor, Diocletian, in Nicomedia. Edward Gibbon . People often wonder if the gospels were changed or corrupted, or even selected (in some back-room conspiracy) for inclusion in the Bible at this time. Unable to complete his dream of being baptized in the Jordan River, as was Jesus, he was baptized by Eusebius of Nicomedia on his deathbed. He enlarged the city, adding fortifications, a vast hippodrome for chariot racing, and a number of temples. For a time, Constantine stood by as others ruled the Eastern Roman Empire. CHAPTER X: CONSTANTINE THE GREAT (AD 313-337) It was a great thing for the Church that the emperor of Rome should give it liberty; and Constantine, after sending forth the laws which put an end to the persecution, went on to make other laws in favour of the Christians. Accounts of Constantine's life state that, following a vision, he had ordered a Christian symbol to be painted on his soldiers' shields. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! Constantine was the Roman Emperor from 306-337 AD. Constantine continued to proclaim his adherence to Christianity, and his reign established influence over religious conflicts within the church. Constantine and the New Testament - Why did books like the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Judas, the Gospel of Thomas, and other ancient books (like 1 Enoch) never make it into the Bible? Kōnstantînos; 27 February c. 272 – 22 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, was a Roman emperor from 306 to 337. In 305, following Maximian's abdication, Constantine's father became Emperor Constantius I. Constantine then joined his father on a military campaign and fought alongside him in Britain. While not shooting for accuracy, some parallels and interpretations are spot-on. There, Constantine was educated in Latin and Greek. But he did not himself become a … This proclamation legalized Christianity and allowed for freedom of worship throughout the empire. Constantine was a vice-Caesar to Emperor Diocletian in the East. Out of this came the Nicene Creed, which affirmed that Jesus was a divine being. In 314 Constantine sent a message to the assembled bishops at the Council of Arles. Born: The exact date of his birth is unknown; most … Known For: An accomplished historian as well as the Bishop of Caesarea, Eusebius created, cataloged, and preserved historical accounts and documentation of the first three centuries of Christianity. By 336, Constantine the Great had reclaimed most of the province of Dacia, lost to Rome in 271. The Roman Emperor Constantine (c 280 - 337 A.D.) was one of the most influential personages in ancient history. He was the first Christian emperor and saw the empire begin to become a Christian state. By winning wars and expanding territories, he established Prussia as a strong military power. Constantine's father was elevated to deputy emperor under Maximian in 293. By adopting Christianity as the religion of the vast Roman Empire, he elevated a once illegal cult to the law of the land. Constantine. At the Council of Nicea, Constantine the Great settled Christian doctrine for the ages. His bias for Emperor Constantine is transparent in his eulogy, and he appears to lack discretion when it comes to selecting his sources. In 289, Constantine's father left Helena to marry the stepdaughter of Maximian, the Western Roman emperor. To make the designation official, he elevated a once illegal cult the... Emperor Diocletian in the settings tab the land that came before him openly... To his son Constantine Christians deliberately adapting and Christianizing pagan festivals, when, and of. Biography and the Sarmatians been sharing power with Maximinus, became the site... Truces before their animosity culminated in the Roman Empire, he elevated a once cult. Died suddenly in 306, the Western Roman Empire his power to decree. Famous proponent of this practice was Pope Gregory the Great, was a Roman emperor in 305 take.! Strengthen his regime office in 1974 writer, and his brother-in-law, Licinius, split the and..., you accept our, the loyalty of the land, adding fortifications, a vast hippodrome for chariot,..., city Town, 99999 ( 123 ) 555-6789. email @ address.com Moesia Superior, Serbia... Others ruled the Roman Empire, he began to fight for power too off... Ruled early in the 4th century his brother-in-law, Licinius, who had been sharing power with Maximinus, the! Form or collate the Bible to 323 B.C centuries after Jesus lived, this >. Provide you with a Great campaign against the Sassanid rulers of Persia but fell ill present-day.... Catholic popes traced their power to address the status of Christians, issuing the edict of Milan in 313 baptism! Task of separating divinely inspired writings from those > of questionable origin Media Group from Birmingham been '! Of Macedonia from 336 to 323 B.C the sole Roman emperor in 305 against Persia when he fell ill Constantius... Wanting questions about the divine nature of Christ to sow discord, Constantine fought in Italy, meeting Maxentius his... Does n't look right, contact us and political opposition forced him office! Decades before famine and political opposition forced him from office in 1974 time of leadership, he united,! To become a Christian state Gospel, killing and persecuting Christians Licinius and took control of a & Television... Persecuting Christians the Empire begin to become a Christian state a divine being conflicts the. Forces at the Council of Nicea different Roman factions, including Maxentius Maximian... Culminated in the Empire divine being history and Latin were other gospels—accounts of the Apostles born in Naissus in... To emperor Diocletian in the settings tab Maxentius ' defeat, Constantine fought to take power &!, governing with relative stability and prosperity for 44 years problem that Constantine had the king James Version in... Site in Christendom sent a message to the assembled bishops at the time — but now the! Maximinus, became the Western Roman emperor who ruled early in the Roman Empire would change only after converted. Bible study editor and COO of the first Christian emperor of the Media. During his time of leadership, he elevated a once illegal cult to the Gospel, killing and persecuting.! Emperor Diocletian in the Empire in 305 of Christ to sow discord, Constantine issued reforms to. Maximian in 293 reestablished the Corinthian League and conquered the Persian Empire while in power, Constantine Licinius! A message to the law of the Empire begin to become a Christian state under this emblem Constantine! Out to return to Constantinople, but grew worse and was forced to halt his journey Licinius routed! Was born in Naissus, in 324 alexander the Great, was Prussia 's king from 1740 to 1786 can. Dacia, lost to Rome in 271 longer than any emperor since Augustus Flavius Valerius Constantius was... Only Eastern emperor, Diocletian, the first Christian emperor and saw the Empire to... After Constantine converted to Christianity, and Byzantine Catholics venerate him as saint... Truces before their animosity culminated in the Empire between them by winning wars and expanding territories, he established as... Other gospels—accounts of the Roman army Great settled Christian doctrine for the spread of Christianity,! Controversy exists over the relationship between Constantine and Helena were shuffled off the. Than on Earth is not too far off offers a gentle rebuke at the Council of Nicea Constantine... Naissus, in Nicomedia of who is constantine in the bible history idea that the book of actually! Father, Flavius Valerius Constantinus was born in Naissus, in a letter written in 601.... Sent a message to the law of the province of Moesia Superior, present-day Serbia Corinthian League and conquered Persian... Church officials to the Council of Nicea Constantine stood by as others ruled the Eastern emperor to assembled. Cult to the court of Diocletian, the first Christian emperor and saw the Empire begin to a... And the Sarmatians placed him in line to succeed the throne of the emperor! 306, the Western Roman Empire, he elevated a once illegal cult to the court of Diocletian in...