How Did Constantine Become Roman Emperor

Constantine Flavius Valerius Constantinus, who would become Roman emperor Constantine I, was born on the date of February 27, circa 280 (sources range from 272 to 284), in Naissus, Moesia (now Niš, Serbia).His father, Flavius Valerius Constantius, was an officer in Rome’s army. Constantine's mother, Helena, was from humble beginnings; it is unknown whether she was the wife or concubine(or a mistress) of Constantius. In 289, Constantine's father left Helena to marry the stepdaughter of Maximian, the Roman emperor in the Western empire. Constantine's father was elevated to being a deputy emperor under Maximian in 293. Constantine himself was sent to the court of a name named Diocletian, the Eastern Roman emperor. There, Constantine was educated in the works of
Constantine then decided to join his father on one of his military campaigns and fought alongside his father in Britain. One year later, Constantius sadly died at Eboracum (now known as York). Constantine was declared emperor by his very own troops. To make the designation official, he began to fight for the power for being emperor. During a period of a major civil war, Constantine defended his position against several different Roman factions, including Maxentius, Maximian's son. In 312, Constantine fought in the country of Italy, meeting Maxentius and his army at the Milvian Bridge on the Tiber River. Accounts of Constantine's life state that, after he had a vision, he had ordered the Christian symbol to be painted on everyone of his soldiers' shields. Under this emblem, Constantine was successful in the battle and entered Rome victoriously. Constantine has now become the emperor of Western Rome. He soon used his power to address the fleeting status of Christians, issuing the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D. This proclamation legalized Christianity in Rome and allowed for the freedom of worship throughout the his