How did Constantine the great come to power?

Answer 1

Constantine became Emperor of Rome in the year 306.

The story goes that, in 305, Constantine's father Constantius I Chlorus, who had been appointed one of two caesares, or junior emperors, of the Tetrarchy in 293, succeeded to the position of Emperor when Augustus Maximian abdicated. Constantius himself became fatally ill during an expedition against the Picts of Caledonia, dying on 25 July 306. Constantine, who had served at the court of Diocletian in Nicomedia following his father's appointment as junior emperor, was at his father's deathbed, whereupon he was proclaimed Emperor by General Chrocus and the troops loyal to his father's memory.

Over the ensuing eighteen years, Constantine fought a series of battles that first obtained him co-rule with the Eastern Roman Emperor, and then finally gained him leadership of a reunified Roman Empire.

Answer 2

Answer
Constantine's predecessor, Diocletian, formalised a rule that the Roman Empire should be controlled by four emperors: two Augusti, or senior emperors, and two Caesars, or junior emperors.

Constantine's father, Constantius I Chlorus, became Caesar in the West in 293 CE. Diocletian abdicated in 305, along with his fellow-Augustus, Maximian, and the two new Augusti were Constantius I Chlorus and Galerius.

In 306, Constantius died. In the style of a military coup, the troops in Britain hailed Constantine as Augustus, with the support of their ally, a German king named Crocus or Erocus. Galerius conceded Constantine the rank of Caesar, but made Severus his fellow Augustus. A period of civil war followed, with varying numbers claiming the title of Augustus, including, once again, Constantine. He gradually defeated all his opponents, until he finally became sole emperor of Rome.

Answer 3

After his death, Christians began to call Constantine "the Great" because of his contributions to Christianity. However, pagans despised him and did not confer this title on him.

Answer 4

Constantine the great came to power when his father died in 306.

Answer 5

First Roman emperor who was converted to Christianity. He also tried to convert everyone to Christianity which led to the division of the Empire and rebellions.

Answer 6

306AD