Definition: The Roman Emperor Constantine -- C. Flavius Valerius Constantinus -- was born at Naissus, Serbia between 274 and 288 and died May 22, 337 at Nicomedia. (Put those date in context by looking at the major events timeline.) Upon the death of his father Constantius Chlorus, 25 July, A.D. 306, Constantine was proclaimed Caesar by his troops. Constantine wasn't the only claimant, so when he fought against rival emperor Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge, he had a vision that let him know that he could win, but under the sign of Christ. Wearing a sign of Christ, Constantine won. Although Constantine is thought to have resisted converting to Christianity until he was on his deathbed, when he was baptized by the Arian Bishop Esebius, Constantine legalized Christianity in 313, with the Edict of Milan, and presided at the Council of Nicea, which settled Christian doctrine for the ages.
Examples: The dynasty of Constantine included Constantine I, Licinius, Maximinus IIm Valerius Valens, Martinian, Constantine II, Constans, Constantius, Julian, and Jovian. Constantine's dynasty was followed by the dynasty of Valentinian.
