Constantine

surnamed the Great. Emperor of Rome from 306-337 A. D. Under his rule the warring and seditious elements of the Roman Empire were subdued. His reign is noted for two events of importance,--the adoption of Christianity as the regular religion of the empire, and the removal of the capital to Constantinople. In 313 he issued the Edict of Milan. "We grant likewise to the Christians and to all other, free choice to follow the mode of worship they may wish, that whatsoever divinity and celestial power may exist may be propitious to all that live under our government." This edict put an end to the terrible persecutions of the Christians, and marked the beginning of atrocious persecutions by them; showing that human nature cannot be changed by an edict. In 328 Constantine ordered the old city of Byzantium rebuilt. He named the city for himself, Constantinople, and removed the seat of his government thither. The arch of Constantine, erected in that emperor's honor in Rome 315, is one of the best preserved of Roman antiquities.