Constantine the Great (r. 306-337)

Question 1

appointing Constantine

Answer 1

in 306 he was appointed emperor in Britain even though he was not a junior emperor beforehand. after defeating his opponent Maxentius in 312 he acquired control over the western half of the empire and in 324 he became a sole emperor after defeating Licinius (312-324).

Question 2

conversion to Christianity

Answer 2

the victory at Milvian Bridge is important as it was the battle that induced Constantine to embrace Christianity. he had a vision of a cross which he had to use as an insignia in the war. the subsequent wars were also successful for him and he continued to put his faith in this new god.

Question 3

favouring christians

Answer 3

in 313 he confirmed the discontinuing of the persecutions through the edict of Milan.
he created a different ideological foundation for his emperorship. he proclaimed himself emperor by the grace of the christian god.
he also started to intervene with the internal relations within the church. he held the council of Nicaea in 325.

Question 4

Constantinople

Answer 4

it was built between 324-330 as a new capital. he established a court with a new, complex hierarchy. he also introduced a new senate filled with christian notables and officials mostly from the east. he also made sure that the senators regained their influence in central administration.

Question 5

the army

Answer 5

he relied on a well-trained mobile army. it was largely cavalry. frontier troops had become garrison troops. this army started to constitute more and more german mercenaries.

Question 6

increased fiscal burdens and the monetary system

Answer 6

expansion of bureaucracy and domestic staff. commissioning of building projects, raising military budget. new taxes were introduced and existing ones increased. in some provinces the landowners acquired a tighter grips on their tenants.
the monetary system was stablized to some extent. a new gold coin solidus was introduced.