Important+People+-+Constantine

=**Constantine**=

Flavius, Valerius, and Constantinus also known as Constantine was one of the emperors of Ancient Rome. Constantine was born on February 27, around 271A.D. and 273AD, in Naissus, Moesia. He died May 22, 337AD in Ancyron, right now Izmit, Turkey. Constantine was raised with both of his parents. His father was an army officer, Constantinus I and his mother, Helena. Constantine grew up in an anarchy environment which is when nobody rules. He grew up in the Eastern Empire while Diocletian was an emperor, which now is Nicomedia Izmit, Turkey. Constantine’s father was **//the//** Ceaser Augustus so the soldiers elected him as the next emperor. Also, he became part of the imperial court of the eastern provinces so when Diocletian resigned Constantine came to power. Constantine had a normal childhood without a lot of suffering.
 * Early Years**

Constantine was the first Christian emperor in Rome. He knew god at first because of his mother’s influence. Constantine though had a dream before going to battle with Maxentius Eusibius with a flaming arrow and a voice saying, “ Hoc signo vince”, ( You will conquer with this sign); which is the sign of Christianity. Constantine painted the shields with the Christianity sign. He fought and he won as the other army backed away. Constantine wanted other people to be Christians so he went with Lisinus; in AD 313 they made a law stating that Christians should not be killed or treated badly. Later, Lisinus and Constantine fought, but Lisinus army was bigger but they backed down. Constantine believed in God in a different way; however he also worshipped Sol a Roman God. He thought that God was like victory and success not compassion and mercy. He made Sunday a holiday and made people to celebrate Christ birthday. Christianity had affected the Roman Empire by giving them more unity.
 * Christianity**

Constantine made many things while he ruled. He built new churches that helped people to come to them and become Christians. He built an arch in AD 312 of himself. Also he made a bridge across river Oecus in AD 306 to make it easier to go from territory to territory. Constantine also made changes in the law for people to become Christians like if you were a Christian you wouldn’t have to pay tax, also he paid barbarians to become Christians. Christians could join the Roman army so that meant they became a citizen. Constantine moved the place of the capital, too. He made changes that improved people’s life.
 * Improvements**

When Constantine’s reign was about to seize, invaders started attacking so he had to move the capital to where now is Istanbul, Turkey. This was the start of the fall or Rome. At this point later on it became the Byzantine Empire which Christianity made it grow in culture. Constantine was one of the important people in Ancient Rome that made things to improve the life of people.
 * Start of the fall of Rome**


 * Works Cited**

AD Council. "Arch of Constantine." Arch of Constantine. NHTSA. 6 Nov. 2007 <[|http://www.roman-empire.net/tours/rome/arch-of-constantine.html>.]

Archive, Hulton, and Getty Images. "Emperor Constantine I of Rome." ViewImages.com. ViewImages. 4 Nov. 2007 . Carr-Gomm, Sarah. "CONSTANTINE." SIRS Knowledge Source. 1998. 31 Oct. 2007 .

Corporation, British Broadcasting. "Rome's Pivotal Emperors." SIRS Knowledge Source. 31 Oct. 2007

<[|http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/romespivotalemperors_gallery.shtml>.]

Martell, Hazel Mary. The King Fisher Book of the Ancient World from the Ice Age to the Fall of Rome.

New York: King Fisher, 1995.

Morgan, Julian. Constantine Ruler of Christian Rome. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2003.

"ancient Rome." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. 1 Nov. 2007 <[|http://britannicaschool.eb.com/eb/article-9106272>.]