CONSTANTINE I THE GREAT (307/310-337). Follis. Constantinople.

Obv : CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG.
Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.

Rev : CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE / CONS✷.
Victory seated left on cippus, with head right and holding palm frond in each hand; to left, Z above bound captive seated left, head right; trophy behind.
RIC 38.

Condition :

Material : Copper.

Weight : 2.78 gr
Diameter : 19 mm

Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, was a Roman emperor who ruled from 306 to 337 CE. He is one of the most significant figures in Roman and world history, primarily due to his role in the establishment of Christianity as a major religion within the Roman Empire and his founding of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), which became a major cultural and political center for centuries.

Born around 272 CE in Naissus (modern-day Niš, Serbia), Constantine was the son of Constantius Chlorus, a Roman general who later became a co-emperor, and Helena, a woman of humble origins who would later be canonized as Saint Helena. Constantine spent much of his early life in the imperial court of Emperor Diocletian, gaining military and political experience.

After his father’s death in 306 CE, Constantine was proclaimed emperor by his troops in the western part of the Roman Empire. However, his rise to power came during a time of political fragmentation, known as the Tetrarchy, where the empire was divided among multiple rulers. Constantine fought several civil wars against rival claimants, including Maxentius and Licinius, before emerging as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire.

One of the pivotal moments in Constantine’s rise to power was the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE. Before the battle, Constantine reportedly had a vision of a Christian symbol, either a cross or the Chi-Rho, and heard the words "In this sign, you will conquer" (*In hoc signo vinces*). Constantine had his soldiers mark their shields with this symbol and went on to win a decisive victory against Maxentius. This event is often seen as the turning point in Constantine’s relationship with Christianity.

In 313 CE, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan alongside his co-emperor Licinius, which granted religious tolerance throughout the empire, specifically legalizing Christianity. This was a major shift in Roman policy, as Christians had faced periods of severe persecution in the past. Constantine’s support for Christianity grew throughout his reign, and he became the first Roman emperor to convert to the faith, although he was baptized only on his deathbed.

Constantine’s reign marked significant changes in the structure of the Roman Empire. In 324 CE, after defeating Licinius, he became the sole ruler of both the eastern and western halves of the empire. Seeking to consolidate his power and create a new capital that would symbolize the unity and strength of the empire, Constantine founded Constantinople in 330 CE. Built on the site of the ancient city of Byzantium, Constantinople was strategically located between Europe and Asia and quickly became a major center of trade, culture, and religion. It remained the capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire for over a thousand years.

In addition to his political and military achievements, Constantine played a crucial role in shaping Christian doctrine and practice. He convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, which aimed to resolve theological disputes within Christianity, particularly the Arian controversy, which questioned the divinity of Jesus. The council produced the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian belief that is still recited in many Christian denominations today.

Constantine's policies also extended beyond religion and into administrative and military reforms. He continued the centralization of imperial power, reorganized the Roman army, and introduced a new gold coin, the *solidus*, which helped stabilize the economy.

Constantine died in 337 CE after more than three decades of rule. He was baptized shortly before his death, and he is venerated as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. His reign marks the beginning of the Christianization of the Roman Empire, a process that would shape the future of Europe and the Western world for centuries.

Constantine the Great is remembered for his contributions to Christianity, his founding of Constantinople, and his role in shaping the late Roman Empire. His legacy endures in both religious history and the history of Western civilization.