Constantine the Great
A Roman emperor who made Christianity legal and moved the capital to Constantinople.
What is it?
Constantine the Great (about 272–337) was a Roman emperor. He is famous for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. In 313, he issued the Edict of Milan, which made Christianity legal. He also moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople (modern Istanbul). This move marked the beginning of the Byzantine Empire.
Why it matters
Constantine changed the course of history by making Christianity a major religion and by founding Constantinople, which became a great city. Many artworks and coins show his image.
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