It was Constantine’s recognition of Christianity that allowed it to spread and within a few hundred years of his death it would be the dominant religion throughout the European Continent. But just how Christian was Constantine?

Flavius Valerius Constantinus was born in AD 272, or thereabouts, the exact date is uncertain, in the town of Naissus in modern day Serbia. His father, Constantius, was an officer in the Imperial Guard and a well-respected man who rose rapidly through the ranks to become Governor of the region of Dalmatia. It is possible that it was his mother Helena, a woman of low birth and no background, who first introduced Constantine to Christianity.

At the time of Constantine’s birth Rome no longer possessed the resources to police its own Empire. It was large and unwieldy and was threatened its length and breadth by migrating tribes. In July, AD 285, the Emperor Diocletian took the radical step of dividing up the Empire. He appointed his colleague Maximian to be Emperor in the West with his capital at Mediolanum  (Milan) or Trier in Germany, while he continued to rule the East from Nicomedia (Izmit in Turkey). Both parts of the Empire would govern independently of the other but Diocletian would be recognised as the senior Augustus (Caesar). This new system seemed to work well and the Empire stabilised as a result so in AD 293, Diocletian decided to sub-divide the Empire. Both the Western and Eastern Empire would now have two Emperors both with total control in their areas of jurisdiction. The junior Emperor would, however, be subordinate to the senior Augustus. Diocletian in the East chose Galerius, a coarse and brutal man, as his junior Emperor, whilst Maximius chose Constantius, Constantine’s father, always an ambitious man who had earlier divorced his wife Helena to marry Maximius’s stepdaughter Theodora, as his. This new system became known as the Tetrarchy. 

Diocletian adopted a policy of persecution of Christian’s, the most violent, severe, and sustained since the days of Nero. It has been suggested that it is from this time that Constantine turned to Christianity so impressed was he by the stoicism with which they accepted their fate, but there is little evidence for this. It would appear that he did not actively support this policy but neither was he seen to oppose it. On 1 May AD 305, Diocletian announced his retirement due to ill-health and as had been agreed Maximius did likewise. Galerius now became senior Augustus whilst Constantius ruled in the West. Galerius did not, however, trust his co-Emperor so insisted that Constantine remain at his Court, a virtual hostage. Over time, Constantius became increasingly fearful for his sons life and made numerous requests for him to join him in the west. Galerius always refused. One night, however, when drunk he was heard to agree. Constantine, wasted no time and fled that same night.

Once safely back in the West, Constantius removed his son from Continental Europe to avoid Galerius’s wrath or any change of mind, and took him on his campaign in Britain. Their time together was to be short-lived however, for Constantius fell ill and died at Eboracum (York) on 25 July, AD 306. Upon his death his Legions proclaimed Constantine his successor. Constantine was aware of the weakness of his position but he did not want to deter his Legions having already been overlooked for the position of junior Caesar and knowing that Galerius would ever willingly appoint him to that role. So he treated the situation as a fait accompli but not one he himself had engineered. After some discussions and to avoid conflict, Galerius agreed to confirm him as Caesar but not as Augustus, that title would go to Severus. Constantine had little choice but to agree.

Maximian’s son Maxentius, who had also been overlooked in the past as an Emperor, refused to accept Constantine’s appointment. He was overcome with envy and was seen to spit on portraits of Constantine and to deface coins with his image on, and he raised forces to oppose him. On 28 October AD 306 he seized the title of Emperor. Galerius ordered Severus to quell the rebellious Maximious but he was defeated and imprisoned. In the end Maximian was forced to come out of retirement to try and broker a truce. He offered his daughter Fausta’s hand in marriage to Constantine to provide him with greater legitimacy. Constantine agreed and a fragile peace was established. For the main part, however, Constantine kept clear of all this internal Imperial politicking. He focused instead on building up his power base around Trier. He defeated the German tribes, the Alemanni and Bructeri, massing on his borders in a brilliant and ruthless campaign, feeding their captured leaders to the beasts in the amphitheatre.

On 11 November AD 308, Galerius called a Council to try and resolve the difficulties in the West. Diocletian was even persuaded to attend to give weight to its decisions. Maximian was forced back into retirement and Licinius was appointed Augustus in the West with Constantine and Maxentius as his junior Caesars. Neither man was willing to accept the decision both wanting the Imperial purple for themselves. In AD 310, Maximian tried to recapture the throne for himself but was defeated and made to flee to the Court of Constantine for his own protection. After initially showing clemency, Constantine forced Maximian to commit suicide in July AD 310.

In early May AD 311, Galerius died. Licinius was now senior Augustus and replaced Galerius as Emperor in the East. Meanwhile, Maxentius had declared himself Augustus in the West. The war that had long been coming between Constantine and Maxentius was now inevitable. Early in the Spring in AD 312, Constantine led an army of just 40,000 men across the Alps and into Italy.

Throughout this time Constantine had shown himself to be tolerant towards Christianity and indeed had made the persecution of Christian’s a crime punishable by death, but there is little indication that he considered himself to be a Christian. He had not been baptised, he did not attend Christian Services, and he still conferred with the augurs. 

As Constantine advanced on Rome virtually unimpeded, Maxentius withdrew back behind the walls of the city. Eventually he was convinced to emerge and confront Constantine. He moved his army out of the city and over the River Tiber on a hastily constructed pontoon bridge, he had destroyed the actual Milvian Bridge earlier to hamper Constantine’s crossing of the river. He then formed his army up close to the riverbank leaving him little room for manoeuvre. Though he was heavily outnumbered Constantine declared to his men that on the eve of battle he’d had a vision. He had seen in the sky the sign of the cross and written on the cross were the words, “in hoc signo vinces” (in this sign conquer) and that he had received the message to mark the shields of his soldiers with the Latin Cross and then they could not be defeated. His men were inspired, the Christians among them particularly so. Nevertheless, it was a hard fought battle. Being gradually forced back Maxentius ordered his men to withdraw to the far bank of the river and reform; but there was only one route back across the river and that was the shaky pontoon bridge. It gave way under the weight of Maxentius’s army tipping thousands of them into the fast flowing Tiber, many drowned including Maxentius. Constantine had indeed conquered.

In AD 313, in agreement with Licinius, who was still technically senior Augustus, Constantine passed the Edict of Milan that removed the penalties that existed for being Christian and returned confiscated Christian property. It legally recognised Christianity as a valid religion throughout the Empire and allowed for its growth rapid spread.

Constantine, however, also had other things on his mind. He wanted to be rid of Licinius and to again unite the Empire under one Emperor, himself. Licinius, who was not an overly ambitious man had willingly taken a demotion and recognised Constantine as senior Augustus, he had married Constantine’s sister Constantia, as he had been asked to do, and had implemented Constantine’s religious and Church reforms. He had given no cause for conflict but Constantine was determined to pick a fight with him. After a series of indecisive battles Constantine was forced to come to terms with Licinius, but this was only a temporary truce while he regathered his strength. The decisive battle was fought at Adrianople on 3 July, AD 324, Licinius was defeated, pursued, captured and executed, despite the pleas of his wife. Constantine, who was always utterly ruthless in his pursuit of power, was now sole Emperor.

Rumours had come to Constantine’s attention that his wife Fausta was having an affair with his son Crispus. On 15 May, AD 326, Constantine had his son seized and executed. He did nothing, however, about his wife, and it was only at the behest of his mother Helena, that he decided to act. Fausta was forced into a hot bath and locked in, the bath remained hot until she slowly burned to death.

Constantine, had united the Empire again under one Emperor (One God, One Emperor) and transferred its capital to the East and the city that now carried his name, Constantinople. He protected the Christian Church, granted privileges to their clergy, had many Christian advisors, and built a great many Churches and Christian temples including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. All parts of the Empire were forced to tolerate and accept Christianity which was never to lose its new found status as the established religion. He declared that his success as Emperor he owed to his belief in, and the power of, the One God. Yet he never really seemed to grasp Christian doctrine, or truly understand their beliefs and how to behave. He was to bemoan late in his life how he wished he had been a better Christian.

Constantine was to be baptised a Christian by Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia, but only as he lay on his deathbed. Why he left his baptism to the very last moment is unknown, particularly as he had long stated how he wished to be baptised in the River Jordan as it was said Christ had been. He also never relinquished his title of Pontifex Maximus (High Priest of Pagan Belief) so perhaps he did have his doubts, after all.