Constantine the Great (272–337 CE)

Question 1

Who was Constantine the Great?

Answer 1

Constantine the Great was the Roman Emperor from 306 to 337 AD, known for legalizing Christianity and founding Constantinople.

Question 2

When was Constantine born?

Answer 2

Constantine was born in 272 AD.

Question 3

Where was Constantine born?

Answer 3

Constantine was born in Naissus, modern-day Niš, Serbia.

Question 4

What was the Edict of Milan?

Answer 4

The Edict of Milan was a proclamation in 313 AD that legalized Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

Question 5

In what year did Constantine found Constantinople?

Answer 5

Constantine founded Constantinople in 330 AD.

Question 6

Which council did Constantine convene in 325 AD?

Answer 6

Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.

Question 7

What creed emerged from the Council of Nicaea?

Answer 7

The Nicene Creed, which clarified Christian doctrine, emerged from the Council of Nicaea.

Question 8

Why is the Battle of the Milvian Bridge significant for Constantine?

Answer 8

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge is significant because Constantine claimed to have seen a Christian symbol that led to his victory.

Question 9

How did Constantine change the Roman Empire’s relationship with Christianity?

Answer 9

Constantine legalized Christianity and integrated it into the Roman Empire, ending persecution and promoting it.

Question 10

Where did Constantine relocate the Roman capital?

Answer 10

Constantine relocated the Roman capital to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople.

Question 11

What city did Constantine establish as the new capital of the Roman Empire?

Answer 11

Constantinople.

Question 12

How long did the Byzantine Empire, founded by Constantine, last?

Answer 12

The Byzantine Empire lasted nearly a thousand years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Question 13

Which of Constantine’s family members is associated with the discovery of the True Cross?

Answer 13

Constantine’s mother, St. Helena, is associated with discovering the True Cross.

Question 14

Why did Constantine execute his eldest son, Crispus?

Answer 14

The reasons are unclear, but it may have been due to accusations of treason or an illicit affair.

Question 15

What major church did Constantine commission in Jerusalem?

Answer 15

Constantine commissioned the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Question 16

How is Constantine remembered by the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Answer 16

Constantine is remembered as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Question 17

What challenges did Constantine face during his rise to power?

Answer 17

Constantine faced multiple rival emperors, including Maxentius and Licinius, in civil wars.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: Constantine’s reign marked the transition from a pagan Roman Empire to a ____ Roman Empire.

Answer 18

Christian.

Question 19

What did Constantine’s Edict of Milan accomplish?

Answer 19

The Edict of Milan legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire, ending persecution of Christians.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: The Nicene Creed clarified the nature of ____ in Christian doctrine.

Answer 20

Christ.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: Constantine’s party to celebrate the founding of Constantinople allegedly lasted for ____ days.

Answer 21

40 days.

Question 22

Why was Constantine’s decision to support Christianity politically significant?

Answer 22

It helped unify the Roman Empire and solidified his rule by aligning with the growing Christian population.

Question 23

How did the Tetrarchy system influence Constantine’s rise to power?

Answer 23

The Tetrarchy system divided the Roman Empire, allowing Constantine to seize power through civil wars and reunite it.

Question 24

How did Constantine’s religious conversion shape the future of the Western world?

Answer 24

His conversion and support of Christianity set the stage for it to become the dominant religion in Europe.