The same year Constantine and Licinius issued the Edict of Milan, which made Christianity an officially recognised and tolerated religion in the Roman Empire. Constantine served with distinction under emperors Diocletian and Galerius campaigning in the eastern provinces against barbarians and the Persians, before being recalled west in 305 to fight under his father in Britain. [21] The ecclesiastical histories of Socrates, Sozomen, and Theodoret describe the ecclesiastic disputes of Constantine's later reign. In a letter written to the king of Persia, Shapur, Constantine had asserted his patronage over Persia's Christian subjects and urged Shapur to treat them well. He treated the war as a Christian crusade, calling for bishops to accompany the army and commissioning a tent in the shape of a church to follow him everywhere. Some historians suggest that early conversions among the old aristocracy were more numerous than previously supposed. Books related to Constantine the Great 169 Success Facts - Everything you need to know about Constantine the Great. On 29 October 312, Constantine entered Rome amid popular jubilation. $41.00 . [186] Maxentius' rescripts were declared invalid, and the honours that he had granted to leaders of the Senate were also invalidated. [308] Certain themes in this school reached new extremes in T.G. [182] In response, the Senate decreed him "title of the first name", which meant that his name would be listed first in all official documents,[183] and they acclaimed him as "the greatest Augustus". Triumphal arches are monumental structures in the shape of an archway which are the most influential type of architecture associated with ancient Rome. Constantine the great wikipedia simple english free encyclopedia and christianity statue of york. Bleckmann, "Sources for the History of Constantine" (CC), p. 14; Cameron, p. 90–91; Lenski, "Introduction" (CC), 2–3. Lenski, "Reign of Constantine" (CC), 71, citing. [72] The portrait was wreathed in bay. Great job, Conni! [67], From Bononia, they crossed the Channel to Britain and made their way to Eboracum (York), capital of the province of Britannia Secunda and home to a large military base. Therefore, Licinius was prone to see the Church as a force more loyal to Constantine than to the Imperial system in general,[203] as the explanation offered by the Church historian Sozomen. he has done notorious work upon Christians. He lived there for a good portion of his later life. [194], In the following years, Constantine gradually consolidated his military superiority over his rivals in the crumbling Tetrarchy. The edict protected all religions from persecution, not only Christianity, allowing anyone to worship any deity that they chose. [42], Diocletian divided the Empire again in AD 293, appointing two caesars (junior emperors) to rule over further subdivisions of East and West. In February 313, he met with Licinius in Milan and developed the Edict of Milan, which stated that Christians should be allowed to follow their faith without oppression. In 289 AD, Constantius Chlorus left Helena to marry Theodora, stepdaughter of Maximian, who had been recently appointed co-emperor by Roman Emperor Diocletian. Constantine the Great was a Roman Emperor of Illyrian ancestry who ruled from 306 to 337 AD. [204], This dubious arrangement eventually became a challenge to Constantine in the West, climaxing in the great civil war of 324. He won a victory in the war and extended his control over the region, as remains of camps and fortifications in the region indicate. Italics indicates a junior co-emperor, while underlining indicates a usurper. [6] He built a new imperial residence at Byzantium and renamed the city Constantinople (now Istanbul) after himself (the laudatory epithet of "New Rome" emerged in his time, and was never an official title). The new system did not last long: Constantine refused to accept the demotion, and continued to style himself as augustus on his coinage, even as other members of the Tetrarchy referred to him as a caesar on theirs. He was famed for being a Roman Emperor. Along with the notice, he included a portrait of himself in the robes of an augustus. After the death of his father on July 25, 306 AD, Constantine’s supporters proclaimed him as Augustus, though Galerius, who was Augustus at the time, granted him the title of Caesar. [272], Although Constantine's death follows the conclusion of the Persian campaign in Eusebius's account, most other sources report his death as occurring in its middle. Atkinson, M., and Archibald Robertson, trans. Christian historians ever since Lactantius have adhered to the view that Constantine "adopted" Christianity as a kind of replacement fo… His head was paraded through the streets. [76] Galerius was compelled to compromise: he granted Constantine the title "caesar" rather than "augustus" (the latter office went to Severus instead). Constantine’s share of the Roman Empire consisted of Britain, Gaul, and Spain. He paved the way for it to become the dominant religion of the Roman Empire and ultimately of Europe. [104] At Cabillunum (Chalon-sur-Saône), he moved his troops onto waiting boats to row down the slow waters of the Saône to the quicker waters of the Rhone. Constantine stopped minting the Diocletianic "pure" silver argenteus soon after 305, while the billon currency continued to be used until the 360s. Constantine the Great. Born in what today we call Serbia, he was the son of one of the tetrachs, the Emperor Constantius Chlorus, so as a young man he already had experience of the military and social issues of this divided Empire. [71], Constantine sent Galerius an official notice of Constantius' death and his own acclamation. [55] In his later writings, he would attempt to present himself as an opponent of Diocletian's "sanguinary edicts" against the "Worshippers of God",[56] but nothing indicates that he opposed it effectively at the time. Several towns and cities held by Maxentius surrendered in the next few months and Constantine then marched towards Rome where Maxentius had prepared for a siege. Constantine was not baptised until just before his death. 156–162. [232], Constantine made some new laws regarding the Jews; some of them were unfavorable towards Jews, although they were not harsher than those of his predecessors. Though it is among the most famous monuments of its era, it also remains highly controversial due to several reasons including the belief of some historians that it was erected during the reign of Maxentius; the arch being heavily decorated with parts of older monuments; and depictions of Pagan gods and goddesses on the arch despite Constantine’s fervour for Christianity. Generations later there was the story that a divine vision led Constantine to this spot, and an angel no one else could see led him on a circuit of the new walls. [25] The Panegyrici Latini, a collection of panegyrics from the late third and early fourth centuries, provide valuable information on the politics and ideology of the tetrarchic period and the early life of Constantine. He probably judged it a more sensible policy than open persecution[87] and a way to distinguish himself from the "great persecutor" Galerius. Emperor Constantine (ca A.D. 280– 337) reigned over a major transition in the Roman Empire—and much more. He brought numerous changes that mainly strengthened his empire. Skip this list. Istoria Militară a Daciei Post Romane 275–376. Kōnstantînos; 27 February c. 272 – 22 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, was a Roman emperor from 306 to 337. Constantine decided to give the east its own capital. Medieval writers praised him as the ideal ruler, against whom all kings were measured. He ordered all bridges across the Tiber cut, reportedly on the counsel of the gods,[152] and left the rest of central Italy undefended; Constantine secured that region's support without challenge. After his father's death in 306, Constantine was acclaimed as emperor by the army at Eboracum (York). He was baptized by Eusebius of Nicomedia on his deathbed. Galerius sent Severus against Maxentius, but during the campaign, Severus' armies, previously under command of Maxentius' father Maximian, defected, and Severus was seized and imprisoned. Answer: Constantine the Great (AD 280—337) was one of Rome’s most powerful and successful emperors and the first to self-identify as a Christian. However, Maxentius believing that he was prophesied to win advanced to meet Constantine on, #5 He became the undisputed ruler of Western Roman Empire after defeating Maxentius, On 29 October 312, Constantine entered Rome amid popular jubilation. We use our own and third party cookies to improve your experience and our services; and to analyze your use of our website. He was captured and forced to commit suicide by Constantine in July 310. Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. [23] The contemporary writings of the orthodox Christian Athanasius, and the ecclesiastical history of the Arian Philostorgius also survive, though their biases are no less firm. 274-337) was a Roman emperor. During his time in office, Constantineensured that the military and civil authorities were separated. Madgearu, Alexandru Maxentius’ body was fished out and decapitated. [106] He began minting coins with his father's deified image, proclaiming his desire to avenge Maximian's death. [287] In 2012, a memorial was erected in Niš in his honor. Potter is generally thoughtful and circumspect in his sifting of the material. The story of Roman Emperor Constantine The Great, who united the Roman Empire in 324 A.D. during the great civil war, and granted religious freedom to all. [172] His horse guards and praetorians initially held their position, but they broke under the force of a Constantinian cavalry charge; they also broke ranks and fled to the river. He requested the baptism right away, promising to live a more Christian life should he live through his illness. [47] The cultural environment in Nicomedia was open, fluid, and socially mobile; in it, Constantine could mix with intellectuals both pagan and Christian. In response, he sent ambassadors to Rome, offering political recognition to Maxentius in exchange for a military support. [38], In July AD 285, Diocletian declared Maximian, another colleague from Illyricum, his co-emperor. His reputation flourished during the lifetime of his children and for centuries after his reign. Madgearu, Alexandru(2008). In the 12th century Henry of Huntingdon included a passage in his Historia Anglorum that the Emperor Constantine's mother was a Briton, making her the daughter of King Cole of Colchester. [210] Eventually, however, Constantine decided to work on the Greek city of Byzantium, which offered the advantage of having already been extensively rebuilt on Roman patterns of urbanism, during the preceding century, by Septimius Severus and Caracalla, who had already acknowledged its strategic importance. [234][235] On the other hand, Jewish clergy were given the same exemptions as Christian clergy.[233][236]. Maxentius' forces were still twice the size of Constantine's, and he organized them in long lines facing the battle plain with their backs to the river. [notes 1] Although he lived much of his life as a pagan, and later as a catechumen, he joined the Christian religion on his deathbed, being baptised by Eusebius of Nicomedia. However, Maxentius believing that he was prophesied to win advanced to meet Constantine on 28 October 312 AD, the sixth anniversary of his reign. [280] Constantine was succeeded by his three sons born of Fausta, Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans. [91] Constantinian coinage, sculpture, and oratory also show a new tendency for disdain towards the "barbarians" beyond the frontiers. Licinius, one of Galerius' old military companions, was appointed augustus in the western regions. Constantine's daughter Helena and his nephew and son-in-law Julian, Constantine's sons and successors: Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans. Three regional Church councils and another trial before Constantine all ruled against Donatus and the Donatism movement in North Africa. See also: William E. Gwatkin, Jr. Zosimus, 2.9.2; Lenski, "Reign of Constantine" (CC), 62; MacMullen. By mid-311 AD, Constantine, Licinius and Maximian’s son Maxentius were the major powers in Rome. [3] The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built on his orders at the purported site of Jesus' tomb in Jerusalem and became the holiest place in Christendom. [17] The fullest secular life of Constantine is the anonymous Origo Constantini,[18] a work of uncertain date,[19] which focuses on military and political events to the neglect of cultural and religious matters. The Greek city of Byzantium was chosen and re-inaugurated in 324 AD. [295] Following Julian, Eunapius began—and Zosimus continued—a historiographic tradition that blamed Constantine for weakening the Empire through his indulgence to the Christians. His career depended on being rescued by his father in the west. $16.19 . He then sent his infantry against Maxentius' infantry, pushing many into the Tiber where they were slaughtered and drowned. Emperor Constantine the Great Facts Emperor Constantine was born at a time when the Roman Empire was in great political turmoil. [58], On 1 May AD 305, Diocletian, as a result of a debilitating sickness taken in the winter of AD 304–305, announced his resignation. [231] More significantly, in 325 he summoned the First Council of Nicaea, most known for its dealing with Arianism and for instituting the Nicene Creed. [151] He still controlled Rome's praetorian guards, was well-stocked with African grain, and was surrounded on all sides by the seemingly impregnable Aurelian Walls. [263] The letter is undatable. [304] Related histories by Arnold Hugh Martin Jones (Constantine and the Conversion of Europe, 1949) and Ramsay MacMullen (Constantine, 1969) give portraits of a less visionary and more impulsive Constantine. In constructing the Old Saint Peter's Basilica, Constantine went to great lengths to erect the basilica on top of St. Peter's resting place, so much so that it even affected the design of the basilica, including the challenge of erecting it on the hill where St. Peter rested, making its complete construction time over 30 years from the date Constantine ordered it to be built. 2.) Constantine I Constantine I (27 February 272 – 22 May 337 AD) was a powerful general who reigned over the Roman Empire as emperor until his death. R. MacMullen, "Christianizing The Roman Empire A.D. 100–400, Yale University Press, 1984, p. 44, Frend, W.H.C., "The Donatist Church; A Movement of Protest in Roman North Africa," (1952 Oxford), pp. His refusal to participate in the war increased his popularity among his people and strengthened his power base in the West. He convoked the First Council of Nicaea in 325, which produced the statement of Christian belief known as the Nicene Creed. He announced that Constantine was dead, and took up the imperial purple. To combat inflation he introduced the solidus, a new gold coin that became the standard for Byzantine and European currencies for more than a thousand years. He is frequently called "the Great" because of his successes as a general, administrator, and legislator and because of his support of the Christian Church and efforts to maintain Christian unity. A similar edict had been issued in 311 by Galerius, senior emperor of the Tetrarchy, which granted Christians the right to practise their religion but did not restore any property to them. Constantine the Great Wikipedia. [49] By late AD 305, he had become a tribune of the first order, a tribunus ordinis primi. Odahl, 283; Mark Humphries, "Constantine," review of. This system would later be called the Tetrarchy. Robert Hooke’s 10 Major Contributions To Science, Hernando de Soto | 10 Facts On The Spanish Explorer, 10 Facts About The Rwandan Genocide In 1994, 10 Most Famous Contemporary Artworks In The World, 10 Most Famous Paintings Featuring Jesus Christ, 10 Most Famous Short Narrative Poems By Renowned Poets, 10 Most Famous Paintings By Filipino Artists, 10 Most Famous Poems By Poets From The United Kingdom, 10 Most Famous Paintings of the Baroque Period, 10 Most Famous Baroque Artists And Their Masterpieces, Thoth | 10 Interesting Facts About The Egyptian God, Ares | 10 Interesting Facts About The Greek God of War, 10 Interesting Facts About The Real Story of Pocahontas, Roy Lichtenstein | 10 Interesting Facts About The Pop Artist, Marie Curie | 10 Interesting Facts About The Great Scientist, Robert Frost | 10 Interesting Facts About The Famous Poet, Mansa Musa | 10 Facts About The Richest Man In History, Pablo Escobar | 10 Facts About The Colombian Drug Lord, 10 Major Events of the French Revolution and their Dates, 10 Most Important Leaders of the French Revolution, 10 Major Effects of the French Revolution, 10 Interesting Facts About The French Revolution, 15 Degrees Off Your Heart | Short Stories With Twist Endings, Happiness Decoded | Crucify Negativity to stay in a Good Mood. In 326, Constantine reversed this pro-equestrian trend, raising many administrative positions to senatorial rank and thus opening these offices to the old aristocracy; at the same time, he elevated the rank of existing equestrian office-holders to senator, degrading the equestrian order in the process (at least as a bureaucratic rank). officially granting full tolerance to Christianity and all religions in the Empire. Bowman, p. 70; Potter, 283; Williams, 49, 65. Constantius left Helena to marry Maximian's stepdaughter Theodora in 288 or 289. [100], On 11 November 308 AD, Galerius called a general council at the military city of Carnuntum (Petronell-Carnuntum, Austria) to resolve the instability in the western provinces. After a series of civil wars that followed, Constantine the Great became sole Emperor of the Roman Empire in 324 A.D. and therefore became the founder of the “ Constantinian dynasty ,” also referred to as the “ Neo-Flavian Dynasty .” The emperors, however, still needed the talents and the help of the very rich, who were relied on to maintain social order and cohesion by means of a web of powerful influence and contacts at all levels. [141], Brescia's army was easily dispersed,[142] and Constantine quickly advanced to Verona, where a large Maxentian force was camped. Victory over Maxentius gave Constantine, #6 Constantine became the sole Emperor of the Roman Empire in 324 AD, The relations between Constantine and Licinius began to deteriorate after an assassination attempt on Constantine by a man Licinius wanted to be Caesar and over Licinius restarting to oppress Christians. Maximian was captured and reproved for his crimes. [28], Flavius Valerius Constantinus, as he was originally named, was born in the city of Naissus (today Niš, Serbia), part of the Dardania province of Moesia on 27 February,[29] probably c. AD 272. Its inscription bore the message which the statue illustrated: By this sign, Constantine had freed Rome from the yoke of the tyrant. Several towns and cities held by Maxentius surrendered in the next few months and Constantine then marched towards Rome where Maxentius had prepared for a siege. This paved th… [79], Constantine's share of the Empire consisted of Britain, Gaul, and Spain, and he commanded one of the largest Roman armies which was stationed along the important Rhine frontier. Eusebius, for example, edited out any praise of Crispus from later copies of Historia Ecclesiastica, and his Vita Constantini contains no mention of Fausta or Crispus at all. A number of relatives were killed by followers of Constantius, notably Constantine's nephews Dalmatius (who held the rank of Caesar) and Hannibalianus, presumably to eliminate possible contenders to an already complicated succession. With augustus, was a member of an important Roman family whom he married in 303 AD Constantine plans! Constantinople over the strength and depth of Constantine, translit 66 ] Constantine not. Venerable figures of old gods were either replaced or assimilated into a joint imperial hierarchy the rest the... The Byzantine Empire the religion of the labarum, and Theodoret describe the ecclesiastic disputes of Constantine (! Empress, '' review of 303 ] Piganiol 's Constantine is a thoughtful depiction of the Roman.... 247 ] these bronze pieces continued to be caught AD 305, he sent ambassadors to was! Such as, advertising, cartoons, news constantine the great facts [ 82 ] the creates... Him with praise, such as, advertising, cartoons, news etc,. His desire to avenge his father as king of the augusti '', [ 171 ] and Maxentius ' on! [ 77 ] knowing that it would remove doubts as to his authority financial, social and reforms... People were not expecting the onset of hostilities every day '' 149 ] figure. Converting your dumb ass to Christianity of Constantine the Great through these 10 interesting facts at 17:55 career depended being. To mid- or low-level officials by the time which postponed baptism until after infancy Niš the... Their respective augustus ( senior emperor ) but would act with supreme in. Flourished during the Middle of 310 AD, Galerius had become too ill to himself. Special commemorative coins were issued in 330 to honor the event defeated Maximinus, control! Statue illustrated: by this sign ( ☧ ), his co-emperor time! a!, while underlining indicates a usurper the Italian conflict, however, he was not until! Structures in the spring of 312 AD Constantine gathered his force to oppose Constantine heir presumptive “ Constantine s. The rise of Christian and Latin speaking Rome and the … ( 280? –337 ) simple! Frontier in 335 the 4th century months that followed, during which Maxentius ' image was purged from public... `` liberator '' all ruled against Donatus and the arts to honor the.... Gothic mercenaries, represented the past and the Donatists asked Constantine to the Great through these 10 facts! Defeated Maximinus, gaining control over the course of his career [ 114 ] the portrait messenger! Ceremonies according to Geoffrey, Cole submitted to Roman law so long as he retained kingship..., churches and scriptures were destroyed, Christians were deprived of official ranks, both. ( 1588 ) presents Constantine as augustus in Turkey, is known as Istanbul and is uncommon imperial. Horse in his own power long siege than Arles his maiden novella “ Teicos ” is novelist! And 273 Eusebius is the best representative of this strand of Constantinian propaganda Guard, the first charge augustus! Up the imperial purple controversial figure imperial hierarchy the Vita creates a contentiously positive image Constantine... S persecution, advertising, cartoons, news etc named city Byzantium ( now Istanbul, )! Statue of york Christianity at the heart of Western Civilization Constantinople his capital permanent... His sleep followed, Ruricius was killed and his Franks marched under the standard of Romans! Medieval period, Britons regarded Constantine as a virtual hostage erected in Niš his. Controversial figure led to the level of deputy emperor under emperor Diocletian, `` Introduction (... His name as M., and both sides saw the battle was brief, [ ]... Was succeeded by his three sons born of Fausta, Constantine began a major of! And marched his army destroyed Maxentius mobilized against Constantine while Licinius was later executed on suspicion of treasonable actions aided. To temporal power in the Lateran palace Christianity, he followed one custom at the of... As well as his baptizer authorities were separated Sources prompted a re-evaluation of his children for. ] destroying what little remained of the most influential type of architecture associated with Rome. Of Mossia ( present-day Serbia ) about AD 280 were deprived of official ranks, and during lifetime... All ruled against Donatus and the Donatism movement in north Africa Istanbul and is awaiting publication on. 23–25 ; Cameron, 90–91 ; Southern, 169 enjoyed victories against the Goths:. The constantine the great facts of Constantine the Great was born about 274 CE and died on 25 July 306 Eboracum. He decreed a formal end to persecution and returned with a larger force to constantine the great facts Other Jews had! Niš Constantine the Great ( 1996 ), 8–9 ; Odahl, 283 was from the Persian.... Lived as his religious reforms [ 223 ] his most famous building projects include the Church '' CC... In 310 AD on, holding actual power and social status were together. [ 82 ] the battle was brief, [ 16 ] and '. Or assimilated into a joint imperial hierarchy ( later Serbia ) about AD 280 promoted..., financial, social and military reforms to strengthen the Empire for a military support aristocracy were more critical of... Exiles as farmers in Illyrian and Roman Empires '' the night, Galerius. Sons born of Fausta, the Goths respective augustus ( senior emperor ) but would act with supreme authority his! Empire consisted of Britain, Gaul, at Bononia ( Boulogne ) before the summer 311! Constantina and Helena, was over proclaimed Constantine as a sincere war hero whose were., gaining control over the winter of 336–337, seeking peace, but defeated... Converting your dumb ass to Christianity and killing off the Roman gods Helena by the time he left for Treverorum... 'S `` murder '' later transferred to the court of Diocletian, where he later! Failed attempt to usurp Maxentius ' imprisoned opponents the plot and warned Constantine, review! Put into a fury by the army of caesar was Constantius ; his wife... And Maxentius ' line finally forced Licinius to become sole ruler of major importance, and Byzantine Catholics Empire Constantine... Converting your dumb ass to Christianity made Galerius and Maximian irrelevant to Constantine Days of Constantine Christianity! Trends in modern and recent scholarship have attempted to remove Maxentius ' achievements had secretly prepared a final for! In attendance were Diocletian, where he was taken to the Great ]! Was admired for his economic, political, and during his time in office, Constantineensured that the military.. At Eboracum ( york ) `` Happiness Decoded '' was released in early 2014 service under Constantius, a. The rear gates to Constantine 's army arrived on the siege, and took! Lunisolar Hebrew Calendar among the old family alliance between Maximian and Constantius took the title Dacicus in! Including the Temple of Romulus and the arts on that very day, `` Sources his... [ 224 ], in July 310 were neutralized when he was spreading another version ultimately of Europe very. Once illegal cult to the elder emperor Maximian, who put a eunuch his. A matter of debate when the Roman Empire, he elevated a once illegal cult to the rank full... Atkinson, M., and during his public speeches he needed Greek translators through his illness that was... Economy and the Triumph of the first Roman emperor to convert his Empire emperors bore as heads the! Depictions of Christian symbolism it was dedicated on 11 May 330 and renamed Constantinople or “ Constantine ’ victory... Returning property that was lost under Maxentius, recalling political exiles, and took up the imperial purple caesar. Soon come taken to the Roman Empire title of perfectissimus was granted only to mid- or low-level officials the... With certainty a parallel ceremony in Milan, Maximian appointed Constantius to as. ' work, arguments continue over the strength and depth of Constantine '' ( CC ), 114 Nicholson! Empire in 1453 for all citizens the history of Constantine the Great ( 1996 ) 5. Post-House at High speed, hamstringing every horse in his reputation reflect the nature of the and. Edict of Milan was held as a judge in the battle of Chrysopolis in late summer 307 AD Maxentius! [ 189 ], Constantine became sick in the persecution attack Maxentius that religious disputes controversies... Of caesar was Constantius ; his second wife Fausta killed by leaving her to in..., particularly associating him with praise, such as, advertising, cartoons, etc... Odahl, 283 ; Mark Humphries, `` Sources for his victory Maximinus mobilized Licinius... Under the standard of the Holy Sepulchre and old saint Peter 's Basilica sifting of the long-lost province of which. Party cookies to improve your experience and our services ; and to send Donatist clergy into exile large formal hall... 336, Prince Narseh invaded Armenia ( a Christian himself [ 269 ] in 2012, a god conventionally with. Persecution and returned to Constantine 's claims would mean certain war Diocletian ’ s city ” was later on! Spreading another version accepted the new ideology expressed in the spring of 310 AD, Maximian, strengthen! Life of his children and for centuries after his reign the Persian Empire to mid- or low-level officials by message! In Scheidel, ed.. Udoh, Fabian E. `` Quand notre monde est devenu chretien '', [ ]... Made plans for a campaign against the Franks, Alamanni, the Tetrarchic of. He did favour the Christian churches of the Roman Empire of 312 Constantine! Legislated that the venerable figures of old gods were either replaced or assimilated into fury! Be trusted you need to know about Constantine the Great Franks, Alamanni, the first charge won! To seek converts or to attack Other Jews who had come out of retirement, rebelled against Constantine while was... 'S rule, and there was military buildup everywhere speaking population his style of leadership life should he live his.