Name:___________________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: _____
Constantine the Great
Constantine the Great
C.E. 280-337
First Christian Roman Emperor
Constantine was the 1st Roman Emperor
to become a Christian, although he was not
baptized until near his death in C.E. 337.
He first came to believe in Christianity many
years earlier, when he was a military leader.
Constantine believed he had seen a flaming
cross in the sky that said, “ By this sign thou
shall conquer.” The next day his army was
victorious in an important battle. He believed
that the cross was a call to the Christian God.
Constantine
During his reign, Constantine granted new opportunities to Christians and
helped advance the power of early Catholic Church. At the Council of Nicea in
C.E. 325, he encouraged discussion about the acceptance of the Trinity (Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit). He also boosted the political positions and power of the
bishops with in the Roman government.
Even though Constantine had many political and religious successes, his life
was filled with controversy and tragedy. Constantine married a woman named
Fausta. His eldest son from a previous marriage was named Crispus. Fausta
accused Crispus of
crimes and claimed that
he was planning to seize
the throne. Constantine
was so shocked that he
had his son killed.
Constantine later
discovered that Fausta
had lied because she
wanted her son to be in
line throne. He then had
↑ Modern Day Constantinople
her Killed.
Name:___________________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: _____
Constantine the Great
Directions – Answer each question in a complete sentence
1. What incident occurred in Constantine’s life to shift his belief towards
Christianity?
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2. During Constantine’s reign, how was he an advocate for the Roman Catholic
Church?
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3. Describe the tragedy that plagued his life.
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4. Constantine was the 1st Christian Emperor in the Roman Empire, when was he
baptized?
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5. What is the Trinity?
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6. Connecting the past with today, Constantine believed freedom of religion was
important for the success of his empire and made sure that Christians could no
longer be persecuted. What part of the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of
religion?
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