Constantine I
- Proper noun:
- Constantine I: The Roman Emperor (reigned 306–337 AD) who granted official tolerance to Christianity through the Edict of Milan (313 AD) and later played a pivotal role in making it the state religion of the Roman Empire. He is also renowned for founding the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) as the new eastern capital of the empire.
- Proper noun:
- Constantine I convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.
- The military reforms initiated by Constantine I had long-lasting effects on the empire.
- Historians often debate the true motivations behind Constantine I's conversion to Christianity.
"The Age of Constantine I": A period marking the transition of the Roman Empire towards a Christian state and the establishment of a new capital in the East.
- The Age of Constantine I fundamentally reshaped the religious and political landscape of Europe.
"Constantinian shift": A term used in historiography and theology to describe the profound changes in the relationship between the Christian Church and the Roman state initiated by Constantine I.
- Scholars analyze the Constantinian shift as a turning point in Western history.
Constantinian (adj): Pertaining to Constantine I or his policies.
- The Constantinian dynasty ruled for several decades after his death.
Constantinople (n): The city founded by Constantine I as "Nova Roma" (New Rome), which later became the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
- Constantinople served as a major cultural and economic center for centuries.
- Constantine the Great: The most common epithet for Constantine I, emphasizing his significant historical impact.
- Flavius Valerius Constantinus: His full Latin name.
The Vision of Constantine I: Refers to the legendary account of his vision before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, where he saw a Christian symbol and the words "In hoc signo vinces" (In this sign, you will conquer).
- The Vision of Constantine I is a pivotal story in Christian tradition.
The Labarum of Constantine I: The military standard incorporating the Chi-Rho symbol (☧) adopted by Constantine I following his vision.
- The Labarum of Constantine I was carried into battle by his troops.
- Emperor of Rome who stopped the persecution of Christians and in 324 made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire; in 330 he moved his capital from Rome to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople (280-337)