Constantine the Great

272 – 337 · Generation XVI · Roman emperor (r. AD 306–337) · Constantinian

Constantine (AD 272 – AD 337). Roman emperor (r. AD 306–337). Married Minervina around AD 303; they were set apart in AD 307. Married Fausta around AD 307. Won the empire at the Milvian Bridge under a Christian sign, legalized the faith, and founded Constantinople as a new Rome. As sole ruler he rebuilt the machinery of empire: civil and military authority separated, the Praetorian Guard that had backed Maxentius disbanded, the army reorganized into mobile field forces and frontier garrisons, and inflation answered with the gold solidus — a coin that anchored currencies for more than a thousand years. He campaigned against Franks, Alemanni, Goths and Sarmatians, and resettled lands abandoned during the previous century’s crisis. For the church he did more than legalize: he convoked the First Council of Nicaea in 325, which produced the Nicene Creed, and ordered the Church of the Holy Sepulchre raised over the site held to be the tomb of Jesus — though he was baptized only late, by Eusebius of Nicomedia. He left the empire to his sons, replacing Diocletian’s tetrarchy with dynastic succession, and Eastern Christianity venerates him as a saint.

One of 10 people of Constantinian (246–363) in this archive. Constantine’s house — the first Christian emperors, and a new capital in the east.

Parents

Constantius Chlorus (250 – 306)
Helena Augusta (246 – 330)

Siblings

Julius Constantius (289 – 337) (half)

Partners

Married Minervina of the East (275 – 307) in 303; they separated in 307 — one child together
Married Fausta Flavia Maxima (289 – 326) in 307 — 5 children together

Children

Crispus Flavius Julius (300 – 326)
Constantine II Flavius Claudius (316 – 340)
Constantius II Flavius Julius (317 – 361)
Constans Flavius Julius (320 – 350)
Constantina Flavia Julia (318 – 354)
Helena the Younger (325 – 360)

Life

272 — Born
303 — Married Minervina
307 — Parted from Minervina
307 — Married Fausta
337 — Died