The Emperor Constantine
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The Emperor Constantine
The Emperor Constantine is one of the major figures of Christian History. After his conversion, he started a movement to end the persecution of the church. By the end of the 4th century, an about face had taken place in Rome, to end the persecution of Christian.
Constantine experienced a dramatic event in 312 at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, after which Constantine claimed the emperorship in the West. Constantine looked up to the sun before the battle and saw a cross of light above it, he commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol (the Chi-Rho), and thereafter they were victorious.
Following the battle, the new emperor ignored the altars to the gods prepared on the Capitoline and did not carry out the customary sacrifices to celebrate a generals victorious entry into Rome, instead heading directly to the imperial palace. He knew that his success was proof that the power of Christ and the superiority of the Christian. From that period on Emperor Constantine favored Christianity openly. He allowed Christian minister to enjoy the same tax exemption from taxes as the pagan priests. Constantine brought up his children as Christians.
Emperor Constantine also provided the Roman world with a new capital, Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire (known as Constantine city). But until 312, the church suffered persecution and was unlawful.
Now in Rome, Christianity had a new meaning of favor and pampering. Emperor Constantine thrust Christianity into the public eye, and the church took on a new mission in the world.