Constantine the Great
Roman emperor who reported a vision before the battle of 312; baptized on his deathbed in 337.
The record
- Born
- c. A.D. 272, Naissus
- Converted
- vision reported before the Milvian Bridge, 312
- Did
- Edict of toleration, 313; Council of Nicaea, 325
- Baptized
- 337, near the end of his life
- Died
- May 22, 337
The chief source for Constantine’s conversion is the Life of Constantine by Eusebius of Caesarea, who reports that the emperor told him the story himself, on oath. The translation is the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers. It concerns the campaign of 312 against Maxentius. According to Eusebius, Constantine, having resolved to seek the help of the one God, saw a sign about midday.
He said that about noon, when the day was already beginning to decline, he saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and bearing the inscription, Conquer by this. At this sight he himself was struck with amazement, and his whole army also, which followed him on this expedition, and witnessed the miracle.Eusebius, Life of Constantine I.28 (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers)
Eusebius continues that Constantine was uncertain of the sign’s meaning until a dream the following night.
He said, moreover, that he doubted within himself what the import of this apparition could be.Eusebius, Life of Constantine I.29 (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers)
Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge in 312. The next year, with Licinius, he issued the edict granting toleration to Christians. He summoned the Council of Nicaea in 325 and was baptized only near the end of his life, in 337. He was born about 272 and died in 337.