Constantine changed Rome in big ways. He supported Christianity, helped reshape the empire’s government, and founded a new important city—Constantinople (later known as Byzantium/Istanbul).
Constantine (often called Constantine the Great) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 306–337 CE. He lived during a time when the Roman Empire was divided and unstable. Several leaders ruled different regions, and civil wars were common. Constantine rose to power as a general and defeated his rivals one by one until he became the main emperor.
Constantine is especially important because of his connection to Christianity. Before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE, Constantine believed he saw a Christian symbol in the sky and thought the Christian God would help him win. After his victory, he supported the Edict of Milan, which ended punishment of Christians and allowed them to worship openly. Constantine also built churches, supported Christian leaders, and called the Council of Nicaea to help unify Christian teachings across the empire.
Constantine made another important decision by moving the capital to Constantinople. This city was easier to defend than Rome and was located near important trade routes between Europe and Asia. It was also closer to wealthy eastern provinces and active armies. After Constantine’s death, the eastern half of the empire grew stronger and survived long after the west fell. This eastern empire became known as the Byzantine Empire. Because of these choices, Constantine is remembered as a major turning point in Roman and world history.
