Constantine

272 – 337

Troops in Britain proclaim Constantine emperor; begins rise to sole rule.

• 306 CE

  Constantine proclaimed

  Troops in Britain proclaim Constantine emperor; begins rise to sole rule.

• 312 CE

  Battle of Milvian Bridge

  Constantine defeats Maxentius; tradition says he fought under the Christian cross.

• 313 CE

  Edict of Milan

  Constantine and Licinius grant religious tolerance across the Roman Empire.

• 325 CE

  Council of Nicaea

  Constantine convenes first ecumenical council; Christian doctrine codified.

• ~325 CE

  Council of Nicaea convenes

  Emperor Constantine gathers Christian bishops to settle doctrinal disputes. The Nicene Creed is adopted, establishing orthodox belief in the Trinity and shaping Christianity for centuries.

• 330 CE

  Constantinople founded

  Constantine moves Roman capital east to Byzantium; reshapes empire.

• 337 CE

  Constantine dies

  Baptized on deathbed; first Christian emperor leaves transformed empire.