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Constantine I (emperor)

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Constantine's Life and Actions after The Edict of Milan
==Constantine's Life and Actions after The Edict of Milan==
Coins struck for emperors often reveal details of their personal iconography. During the early part of Constantine's rule, representations first of [[Mars (god)|Mars]] and then (from [[310]]) of [[Apollo]] as [[Solar deity|Sun god]] consistently appear on the reverse of the coinage. Mars had been associated with the Tetrarchy, and Constantine's use of this symbolism served to emphasize the legitimacy of his rule. After his breach with his father's old colleague [[Maximian]] in [[309]]–310, Constantine began to claim legitimate descent from the [[3rd century]] emperor [[Claudius II|Marcus Aurelius Claudius Gothicus]], the hero of the [[Battle of Naissus]] (September, [[268]]). The ''[[Augustan History]]'' of the [[4th century]] reports Constantine's paternal grandmother Claudia to be a daughter of Crispus, Crispus being a reported brother of both Claudius II and [[Quintillus]]. Historians however suspect this account to be a [[genealogical]] [[fabrication]] to flatter Constantine.
Gothicus had claimed the divine protection of [[Apollo]]-[[Sol Invictus]]. In mid-[[310]], two years before the victory at the [[Milvian Bridge]], Constantine reportedly experienced the publicly announced vision in which Apollo-Sol Invictus appeared to him with omens of success. Thereafter the reverses of his coinage were dominated for several years by his "companion, the unconquered Sol" -- the inscriptions read <small>SOLI INVICTO COMITI</small>. The depiction represents Apollo with a solar halo, [[Helios]]-like, and the globe in his hands. In the [[320s]] Constantine has a halo of his own. There are also coins depicting Apollo driving the chariot of the Sun on a shield Constantine is holding and another ([[313]]?) shows the Christian ''[[chi-rho]]'' on a helmet Constantine is wearing.
Constantine was also known for being ruthless with his political enemies, deposing the [[Eastern Roman Emperor]] [[Licinius]], his brother-in-law, by strangulation in [[325]] even though he had publicly promised not to execute him upon Licinius' surrender in [[324]]. In [[326]], Constantine executed first his eldest son [[Crispus]] and a few months later his own second wife [[Fausta]]. (Crispus was the only known son of Constantine by his first wife Minervina). There are rumours of step-mother and step-son having had an affair which caused Constantine's jealousy. The rumours were reported however by [[5th century]] historian [[Zosimus]] and [[12th century]] historian [[Joannes Zonaras]]. Their sources are not stated.
Family influence is thought to account for a personal adoption of Christianity: [[Ste. Helena of Constantinople|Helena]] is said to be "probably born a Christian" though virtually nothing is known of her background, save that her mother was the daughter of an innkeeper and her father a successful soldier, a career that excluded overt Christians. Helena became known later in life for numerous pilgrimages.

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