Refine your search

The results of your search are listed below alongside the search terms you entered on the previous page. You can refine your search by amending any of the parameters in the form and resubmitting it.

Select all Deselect all Add selection to lightbox
Large Small
Thumbnails per page
Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great and Saint Constantine, was the son of Emperor Constantius. His father sent him east to serve under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, spending some time in the court of the latter. After his father died in 306, Constantine was proclaimed his successor and emperor by his army at Ebocarum (York).<br/><br/> He at first remained officially neutral in the efforts of Emperor Galerius to defeat the usurper Maxentius, but after Galerius' death, Constantine was eventually dragged into the conflict. He eventually defeated Maxentius in 312, and then fought against his erstwhile ally, Emperor Licinius, for sole control of both western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire. Licinius was defeated in 324, and Constantine became emperor of a united empire.<br/><br/> Constantine enacted many reforms strengthening the empire, ending the tetrarchy system and restructuring government. He became the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, and he called the First Council of Nicaea in 325, overseeing the profession of the Nicene Creed. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople after himself, which would become the new capital. He died in 337 from sickness, and was succeeded by his sons.
Maxentius (278-312) was the son of former Emperor Maximian, and son-in-law to Emperor Galerius. When his father and Emperor Diocletian stepped down, Maxentius was passed over in the new tetrarchy established by Emperors Constantius and Galerius, the latter nominating Severus and Maximinus Daia as junior co-emperors. Galerius hated Maxentius and used his influence to halt his succession.<br/><br/> When Constantius died in 306 and his son Constantine was crowned emperor and accepted into the tetrarchy, Maxentius was publicly proclaimed emperor later in the same year by officers in Rome. Severus marched to Rome in 307 to punish Maxentius, but most of his army defected when they arrived, having served under his father Maximian for many years. Maxentius invited his father back to the capital and named him co-emperor, though this lasted less than a year before Maximian fled to the court of Constantine after a failed coup.<br/><br/> Maxentius ruled over his portion of the empire for roughly six years, and was mostly preoccupied with a civil war against Emperors Constantine and Licinius. He allied himself with Emperor Maximinus II to secure his power, but he eventually perished during the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 against Constantine, where he supposedly drowned in the Tiber River while attempting to retreat.
Galerius (260-311) was born in Serdica and was initially a herdsman like his father, before going on to join the Roman army, where he served with distinction under Emperors Aurelian and Probus. When the Tetrarchy was established in 293, he was named as one of the junior co-emperors alongside Constantius, marrying Emperor Diocletian's daughter Valeria.<br/><br/> Galerius fought alongside his father-in-law against the resurgent Sassanid Empire, eventually leading to his sacking of the capital Ctesiphon and his capture of the wife and children of the Sassanid king Narseh, with which he was able to negotiate a long-lasting and favourable peace treaty. When Diocletian and Maximian abdicated in 305, Galerius and Constantius became joint emperors, with Galerius conspiring to secure a stronger power base than his co-ruler. His hopes and plans came to naught when Constantius died a year later and his son, Constantine I, ascended to become emperor of the western half of the empire.<br/><br/> Galerius had been a staunch opponent of Christianity, supposedly prodding Diocletian into enacting the Diocletianic Persecution, the largest and most violent official persecution of Christians in the empire's history, by burning down the Imperial Palace and blaming it on Christian saboteurs. His attitude changed in 311 when he enacted the Edict of Toleration, asking for Christians to pray for him as he suffered through a painful and fatal illness. He died six days later.
Licinius (263-325) was born to a peasant family and was a close childhood friend of future emperor Galerius, becoming a close confidante to Galerius and entrusted with the eastern provinces when Galerius went to deal with the usurper Maxentius. Galerius elevated Licinius to co-emperor, Augustus in the West, in 308, though he personally had control over the eastern provinces.<br/><br/> After emperors Maxentius and Maximinus II formed an alliance, Licinius was forced to enter into a formal agreement with Constantine I, marrying his half-sister Flavia Julia Constantia. He fought against Maximinus' forces and finally killed him in 313, while Constantine had defeated Maxentius in 312.<br/><br/> The two divided the Roman Empire between them, but civil war soon erupted a year later in 314. The two emperors would constantly war against each other, then make peace before restarting conflict again for the next few years. Licinius was finally defeated for good in 324, with only the pleas of his wife, Constantine's sister, saving him. Licinius was then hanged a year later in 325, accused by Constantine of conspiring to stir revolt among the barbarians.
Severus II (-307), full name Flavius Valerius Severus, was of humble birth from Illyria, but he managed to rise and become a senior officer in the Roman army. He was an old friend of Emperor Galerius, and the emperor ordered Severus be appointed as Caesar of the Western Roman Empire in 305, serving as deputy-emperor to Emperor Constantius I.<br/><br/> Severus was promoted to emperor in 306 after the death of Constantius, in opposition to the claims made by Constantius' soldiers that his son, Constantine I, was emperor. Severus was sent to deal with the usurper emperor Maxentius in Rome, marching towards Rome at the head of an army once commanded by former Emperor Maximian, Maxentius' father. Maxentius, fearing Severus' arrival, offered his father co-rule of the empire, which he accepted.<br/><br/> Therefore, when Severus arrived at the walls of Rome, his army deserted him for Maximian, forcing Severus to flee to Ravenna. Maximian offered him protection if he surrendered peacefully, which he did in 307. Nevertheless, Severus was still displayed as a captive and imprisoned at Tres Tabernae. When Galerius himself invaded Italy to defeat Maxentius and Maximian, Maxentius ordered Severus' execution, which occurred on 16 September 307.
Maximinus II (270-313), also known as Maximinus Daia or Maximinus Daza, was of Dacian peasant stock and nephew of Emperor Galerius. He joined the army and rose to high distinction, eventually being adopted by his uncle and raised to the rank of Caesar, giving him governorship of Syria and Egypt. When his uncle died in 311, Maximinus divided the Eastern Empire between himself and co-Emperor Licinius.<br/><br/> However, when Licinius made common cause with Constantine I, Maximinus was forced to establish a secret alliance with the usurper Emperor Maxentius, who controlled Italy. He made open war with Licinius in 313, but faced a massive defeat at the Battle of Tzirallum in the same year. He fled to Nicomedia and Tarsus, and eventually died, with multiple causes such as despair, poison and divine justice being ascribed to his death.<br/><br/> Maximinus II was known for his major persecution of Christians during his reign, one of the last great persecutions of Christianity, making demands to urban authorities to expel Christians and promoting Pagan beliefs. He only changed his mind and issued an edict of tolerance shortly before his death, just as his uncle had.
Constantius Chlorus (250-306) was born into a noble framily from Dardania descended from emperors Claudius II and Quintillus, though this may have been a genealogical fabrication by Constantius' son Constantine I, with his real family instead being of humble origins.<br/><br/> Constantius joined the Roman army and served under various emperors, eventually being elevated to junior co-emperor alongside Galerius in 293, forming the Tetrarchy. His marriage to Emperor Maximian's daughter made him his son-in-law, and together they defeated the rebel emperor Allectus in Britain and campaigned heavily along the Rhine frontier against various Germanic tribes.<br/><br/> In 305, Diocletian and Maximian abdicated, elevating Constantius and Galerius to joint emperors. Constantius was fighting the Picts in Britain beyond the Antonine Wall when the declaration came, but he died suddenly a year later in Eboracum (York). His death led to the collapse of the Tetrarchy. His son would become Constantine the Great, and therefore Constantius was considered the founder of the Constantinian Dynasty.
Maximian (250-310) was born in the province of Pannonia to a family of shopkeepers, and joined the army as soon as he could, serving alongside future co-emperor Diocletian under emperors Aurelian, Probus and Carus. After Diocletian became emperor in 284, Maximian was soon appointed co-emperor in 286, matching Maximian's military brawn with Diocletian's political brain.<br/><br/> Maximian spent most of his time on campaign, fighting against the Germanic tribes along the Rhine frontier and in Gaul. When the man Maximian had appointed to govern the Channel shores, Carausius, rebelled in 286 and seceded Britain and northwestern Gaul from the Roman Empire, Maximian tried but failed to oust Carausius. The rebellion was eventually crushed in 296, and Maximian moved south to fight pirates near Hispania.<br/><br/> He eventually returned to Italy in 298, living in comfort until he abdicated in 305 alongside Diocletian, handing power to the other two co-emperors of the Tetrachy, Constantius and Galerius, and retiring to southern Italy. Maximian returned to power in 306 when he aided his son Maxentius' rebellion. He later tried to depose his son but failed, fleeing to the court of Constantius' successor, Constantine. He was forced to renounce his title by Diocletian and Galerius, and he committed suicide in 310 after a failed attempt to usurp Constantine's title.
Diocletian (244-312) was born as Diocles to a family of low status from Dalmatia. He rose through the ranks of the military to become a cavalry commander under Emperor Carus, and after the deaths of Carus and his son Numerian in 284, Diocletian was proclaimed emperor, defeating Carus' other surviving son Carinus to sanctify his claim.<br/><br/> Diocletian's rule would stabilise the Roman Empire after the Crisis of the Third Century, and he made fellow officer Maximian co-emperor in 286 to help rule. He further appointed Galerius and Constantius as junior co-emperors in 293, establishing a tetrarchy (rule of four) which saw the quarter-division of the empire. He defeated many threats to Rome and secured the empire's borders. He sacked Ctesiphon, capital of the Sassanid Empire, before negotiating a lasting peace arrangement.<br/><br/> Diocletian's rule saw the establishment of the largest and most bureaucratic government in the empire's history, as well as overseeing the Docletianic Persecution (303-311), the largest and bloodiest official persecution of Christianity in the empire's history. He eventually abdicated in 305 after falling sick, becoming the first emperor to voluntarily abdicate his throne, living the rest of his years in his private palace on the Dalmatian coast.
Severus II (-307), full name Flavius Valerius Severus, was of humble birth from Illyria, but he managed to rise and become a senior officer in the Roman army. He was an old friend of Emperor Galerius, and the emperor ordered Severus be appointed as Caesar of the Western Roman Empire in 305, serving as deputy-emperor to Emperor Constantius I.<br/><br/> Severus was promoted to emperor in 306 after the death of Constantius, in opposition to the claims made by Constantius' soldiers that his son, Constantine I, was emperor. Severus was sent to deal with the usurper emperor Maxentius in Rome, marching towards Rome at the head of an army once commanded by former Emperor Maximian, Maxentius' father. Maxentius, fearing Severus' arrival, offered his father co-rule of the empire, which he accepted.<br/><br/> Therefore, when Severus arrived at the walls of Rome, his army deserted him for Maximian, forcing Severus to flee to Ravenna. Maximian offered him protection if he surrendered peacefully, which he did in 307. Nevertheless, Severus was still displayed as a captive and imprisoned at Tres Tabernae. When Galerius himself invaded Italy to defeat Maxentius and Maximian, Maxentius ordered Severus' execution, which occurred on 16 September 307.
Claudius II (210-270), also known as Claudius Gothicus, was of Illyrian origin and barbarian birth. He was a career soldier, having served his entire adult life in the Roman army. He was a military tribune in Emperor Gallienus' army during the siege of Milan in 268 when Gallienus was murdered by his own ofifcials, possibly including Claudius. Claudius was then proclaimed emperor by his own soldiers, possibly because of his physical strength and cruelty.<br/><br/> Claudius, like the previous barbarian emperor Maximinus Thrax, was a soldier-emperor, the first in a series that would restore the Empire from the disaster that had been the Crisis of the Third Century. The Empire had been divided into three different entities under the reign of Gallienus, with the Gallic Empire in the West and Palmyrene Empire in the East. Claudius, however, focused his immediate attentions on dealing with foreign invaders, defeating the Goths during the Battle of Naissus in one of the greatest victories in Roman history, earning him the surname 'Gothicus' (conquerer of the Goths).<br/><br/> He then turned his attention to the Gallic Empire, winning several victories and regaining control of Hispania and parts of Gaul. He was killed by the Plague of Cyprian in January 270 before he could finish off the Gallic Empire however, naming Aurelian as his successor.
Galerius (260-311) was born in Serdica and was initially a herdsman like his father, before going on to join the Roman army, where he served with distinction under Emperors Aurelian and Probus. When the Tetrarchy was established in 293, he was named as one of the junior co-emperors alongside Constantius, marrying Emperor Diocletian's daughter Valeria.<br/><br/> Galerius fought alongside his father-in-law against the resurgent Sassanid Empire, eventually leading to his sacking of the capital Ctesiphon and his capture of the wife and children of the Sassanid king Narseh, with which he was able to negotiate a long-lasting and favourable peace treaty. When Diocletian and Maximian abdicated in 305, Galerius and Constantius became joint emperors, with Galerius conspiring to secure a stronger power base than his co-ruler. His hopes and plans came to naught when Constantius died a year later and his son, Constantine I, ascended to become emperor of the western half of the empire.<br/><br/> Galerius had been a staunch opponent of Christianity, supposedly prodding Diocletian into enacting the Diocletianic Persecution, the largest and most violent official persecution of Christians in the empire's history, by burning down the Imperial Palace and blaming it on Christian saboteurs. His attitude changed in 311 when he enacted the Edict of Toleration, asking for Christians to pray for him as he suffered through a painful and fatal illness. He died six days later.
Maximinus II (270-313), also known as Maximinus Daia or Maximinus Daza, was of Dacian peasant stock and nephew of Emperor Galerius. He joined the army and rose to high distinction, eventually being adopted by his uncle and raised to the rank of Caesar, giving him governorship of Syria and Egypt. When his uncle died in 311, Maximinus divided the Eastern Empire between himself and co-Emperor Licinius.<br/><br/> However, when Licinius made common cause with Constantine I, Maximinus was forced to establish a secret alliance with the usurper Emperor Maxentius, who controlled Italy. He made open war with Licinius in 313, but faced a massive defeat at the Battle of Tzirallum in the same year. He fled to Nicomedia and Tarsus, and eventually died, with multiple causes such as despair, poison and divine justice being ascribed to his death.<br/><br/> Maximinus II was known for his major persecution of Christians during his reign, one of the last great persecutions of Christianity, making demands to urban authorities to expel Christians and promoting Pagan beliefs. He only changed his mind and issued an edict of tolerance shortly before his death, just as his uncle had.
Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great and Saint Constantine, was the son of Emperor Constantius. His father sent him east to serve under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, spending some time in the court of the latter. After his father died in 306 CE, Constantine was proclaimed his successor and emperor by his army at Eboracum (York).<br/><br/> He at first remained officially neutral in the efforts of Emperor Galerius to defeat the usurper Maxentius, but after Galerius' death, Constantine was dragged into the conflict. He eventually defeated Maxentius in 312 CE, and then fought against his erstwhile ally, Emperor Licinius, for sole control of both western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire. Licinius was defeated in 324 CE, and Constantine became emperor of a united empire.<br/><br/> Constantine enacted many reforms strengthening the empire, ending the tetrarchy system and restructuring government. He became the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, and he called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, overseeing the profession of the Nicene Creed. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople after himself, which would become the new capital. He died in 337 CE.
Maximian (250-310) was born in the province of Pannonia to a family of shopkeepers, and joined the army as soon as he could, serving alongside future co-emperor Diocletian under emperors Aurelian, Probus and Carus. After Diocletian became emperor in 284, Maximian was soon appointed co-emperor in 286, matching Maximian's military brawn with Diocletian's political brain.<br/><br/> Maximian spent most of his time on campaign, fighting against the Germanic tribes along the Rhine frontier and in Gaul. When the man Maximian had appointed to govern the Channel shores, Carausius, rebelled in 286 and seceded Britain and northwestern Gaul from the Roman Empire, Maximian tried but failed to oust Carausius. The rebellion was eventually crushed in 296, and Maximian moved south to fight pirates near Hispania.<br/><br/> He eventually returned to Italy in 298, living in comfort until he abdicated in 305 alongside Diocletian, handing power to the other two co-emperors of the Tetrachy, Constantius and Galerius, and retiring to southern Italy. Maximian returned to power in 306 when he aided his son Maxentius' rebellion. He later tried to depose his son but failed, fleeing to the court of Constantius' successor, Constantine. He was forced to renounce his title by Diocletian and Galerius, and he committed suicide in 310 after a failed attempt to usurp Constantine's title.
Maxentius (278-312) was the son of former Emperor Maximian, and son-in-law to Emperor Galerius. When his father and Emperor Diocletian stepped down, Maxentius was passed over in the new tetrarchy established by Emperors Constantius and Galerius, the latter nominating Severus and Maximinus Daia as junior co-emperors. Galerius hated Maxentius and used his influence to halt his succession.<br/><br/> When Constantius died in 306 and his son Constantine was crowned emperor and accepted into the tetrarchy, Maxentius was publicly proclaimed emperor later in the same year by officers in Rome. Severus marched to Rome in 307 to punish Maxentius, but most of his army defected when they arrived, having served under his father Maximian for many years. Maxentius invited his father back to the capital and named him co-emperor, though this lasted less than a year before Maximian fled to the court of Constantine after a failed coup.<br/><br/> Maxentius ruled over his portion of the empire for roughly six years, and was mostly preoccupied with a civil war against Emperors Constantine and Licinius. He allied himself with Emperor Maximinus II to secure his power, but he eventually perished during the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 against Constantine, where he supposedly drowned in the Tiber River while attempting to retreat.
Constantius Chlorus (250-306) was born into a noble framily from Dardania descended from emperors Claudius II and Quintillus, though this may have been a genealogical fabrication by Constantius' son Constantine I, with his real family instead being of humble origins.<br/><br/> Constantius joined the Roman army and served under various emperors, eventually being elevated to junior co-emperor alongside Galerius in 293, forming the Tetrarchy. His marriage to Emperor Maximian's daughter made him his son-in-law, and together they defeated the rebel emperor Allectus in Britain and campaigned heavily along the Rhine frontier against various Germanic tribes.<br/><br/> In 305, Diocletian and Maximian abdicated, elevating Constantius and Galerius to joint emperors. Constantius was fighting the Picts in Britain beyond the Antonine Wall when the declaration came, but he died suddenly a year later in Eboracum (York). His death led to the collapse of the Tetrarchy. His son would become Constantine the Great, and therefore Constantius was considered the founder of the Constantinian Dynasty.
Diocletian (244-312) was born as Diocles to a family of low status from Dalmatia. He rose through the ranks of the military to become a cavalry commander under Emperor Carus, and after the deaths of Carus and his son Numerian in 284, Diocletian was proclaimed emperor, defeating Carus' other surviving son Carinus to sanctify his claim.<br/><br/> Diocletian's rule would stabilise the Roman Empire after the Crisis of the Third Century, and he made fellow officer Maximian co-emperor in 286 to help rule. He further appointed Galerius and Constantius as junior co-emperors in 293, establishing a tetrarchy (rule of four) which saw the quarter-division of the empire. He defeated many threats to Rome and secured the empire's borders. He sacked Ctesiphon, capital of the Sassanid Empire, before negotiating a lasting peace arrangement.<br/><br/> Diocletian's rule saw the establishment of the largest and most bureaucratic government in the empire's history, as well as overseeing the Docletianic Persecution (303-311), the largest and bloodiest official persecution of Christianity in the empire's history. He eventually abdicated in 305 after falling sick, becoming the first emperor to voluntarily abdicate his throne, living the rest of his years in his private palace on the Dalmatian coast.
Licinius (263-325) was born to a peasant family and was a close childhood friend of future emperor Galerius, becoming a close confidante to Galerius and entrusted with the eastern provinces when Galerius went to deal with the usurper Maxentius. Galerius elevated Licinius to co-emperor, Augustus in the West, in 308, though he personally had control over the eastern provinces.<br/><br/> After emperors Maxentius and Maximinus II formed an alliance, Licinius was forced to enter into a formal agreement with Constantine I, marrying his half-sister Flavia Julia Constantia. He fought against Maximinus' forces and finally killed him in 313, while Constantine had defeated Maxentius in 312.<br/><br/> The two divided the Roman Empire between them, but civil war soon erupted a year later in 314. The two emperors would constantly war against each other, then make peace before restarting conflict again for the next few years. Licinius was finally defeated for good in 324, with only the pleas of his wife, Constantine's sister, saving him. Licinius was then hanged a year later in 325, accused by Constantine of conspiring to stir revolt among the barbarians.
Licinius (263-325 CE) was born to a peasant family and was a close childhood friend of future emperor Galerius, becoming a close confidante to Galerius and entrusted with the eastern provinces when Galerius went to deal with the usurper Maxentius. Galerius elevated Licinius to co-emperor, Augustus in the West, in 308, though he personally had control over the eastern provinces.<br/><br/> After emperors Maxentius and Maximinus II formed an alliance, Licinius was forced to enter into a formal agreement with Constantine I, marrying his half-sister Flavia Julia Constantia. He fought against Maximinus' forces and finally killed him in 313, while Constantine had defeated Maxentius in 312.<br/><br/> The two divided the Roman Empire between them, but civil war soon erupted a year later in 314. The two emperors would constantly war against each other, then make peace before restarting conflict again for the next few years. Licinius was finally defeated for good in 324, with only the pleas of his wife, Constantine's sister, saving him. Licinius was then hanged a year later in 325, accused by Constantine of conspiring to stir revolt among the barbarians.
Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great and Saint Constantine, was the son of Emperor Constantius. His father sent him east to serve under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, spending some time in the court of the latter. After his father died in 306 CE, Constantine was proclaimed his successor and emperor by his army at Eboracum (York).<br/><br/> He at first remained officially neutral in the efforts of Emperor Galerius to defeat the usurper Maxentius, but after Galerius' death, Constantine was dragged into the conflict. He eventually defeated Maxentius in 312 CE, and then fought against his erstwhile ally, Emperor Licinius, for sole control of both western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire. Licinius was defeated in 324 CE, and Constantine became emperor of a united empire.<br/><br/> Constantine enacted many reforms strengthening the empire, ending the tetrarchy system and restructuring government. He became the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, and he called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, overseeing the profession of the Nicene Creed. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople after himself, which would become the new capital. He died in 337 CE.
Maximian (250-310) was born in the province of Pannonia to a family of shopkeepers, and joined the army as soon as he could, serving alongside future co-emperor Diocletian under emperors Aurelian, Probus and Carus. After Diocletian became emperor in 284, Maximian was soon appointed co-emperor in 286, matching Maximian's military brawn with Diocletian's political brain.<br/><br/> Maximian spent most of his time on campaign, fighting against the Germanic tribes along the Rhine frontier and in Gaul. When the man Maximian had appointed to govern the Channel shores, Carausius, rebelled in 286 and seceded Britain and northwestern Gaul from the Roman Empire, Maximian tried but failed to oust Carausius. The rebellion was eventually crushed in 296, and Maximian moved south to fight pirates near Hispania.<br/><br/> He eventually returned to Italy in 298, living in comfort until he abdicated in 305 alongside Diocletian, handing power to the other two co-emperors of the Tetrachy, Constantius and Galerius, and retiring to southern Italy. Maximian returned to power in 306 when he aided his son Maxentius' rebellion. He later tried to depose his son but failed, fleeing to the court of Constantius' successor, Constantine. He was forced to renounce his title by Diocletian and Galerius, and he committed suicide in 310 after a failed attempt to usurp Constantine's title.
Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great and Saint Constantine, was the son of Emperor Constantius. His father sent him east to serve under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, spending some time in the court of the latter. After his father died in 306 CE, Constantine was proclaimed his successor and emperor by his army at Eboracum (York).<br/><br/> He at first remained officially neutral in the efforts of Emperor Galerius to defeat the usurper Maxentius, but after Galerius' death, Constantine was dragged into the conflict. He eventually defeated Maxentius in 312 CE, and then fought against his erstwhile ally, Emperor Licinius, for sole control of both western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire. Licinius was defeated in 324 CE, and Constantine became emperor of a united empire.<br/><br/> Constantine enacted many reforms strengthening the empire, ending the tetrarchy system and restructuring government. He became the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, and he called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, overseeing the profession of the Nicene Creed. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople after himself, which would become the new capital. He died in 337 CE.
Constantine I (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great and Saint Constantine, was the son of Emperor Constantius. His father sent him east to serve under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, spending some time in the court of the latter. After his father died in 306 CE, Constantine was proclaimed his successor and emperor by his army at Eboracum (York).<br/><br/> He at first remained officially neutral in the efforts of Emperor Galerius to defeat the usurper Maxentius, but after Galerius' death, Constantine was dragged into the conflict. He eventually defeated Maxentius in 312 CE, and then fought against his erstwhile ally, Emperor Licinius, for sole control of both western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire. Licinius was defeated in 324 CE, and Constantine became emperor of a united empire.<br/><br/> Constantine enacted many reforms strengthening the empire, ending the tetrarchy system and restructuring government. He became the first emperor to claim conversion to Christianity, and he called the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, overseeing the profession of the Nicene Creed. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople after himself, which would become the new capital. He died in 337 CE.
Claudius II (210-270), also known as Claudius Gothicus, was of Illyrian origin and barbarian birth. He was a career soldier, having served his entire adult life in the Roman army. He was a military tribune in Emperor Gallienus' army during the siege of Milan in 268 when Gallienus was murdered by his own ofifcials, possibly including Claudius. Claudius was then proclaimed emperor by his own soldiers, possibly because of his physical strength and cruelty.<br/><br/> Claudius, like the previous barbarian emperor Maximinus Thrax, was a soldier-emperor, the first in a series that would restore the Empire from the disaster that had been the Crisis of the Third Century. The Empire had been divided into three different entities under the reign of Gallienus, with the Gallic Empire in the West and Palmyrene Empire in the East. Claudius, however, focused his immediate attentions on dealing with foreign invaders, defeating the Goths during the Battle of Naissus in one of the greatest victories in Roman history, earning him the surname 'Gothicus' (conquerer of the Goths).<br/><br/> He then turned his attention to the Gallic Empire, winning several victories and regaining control of Hispania and parts of Gaul. He was killed by the Plague of Cyprian in January 270 before he could finish off the Gallic Empire however, naming Aurelian as his successor.
Leo I (401-474), also known as Leo the Thracian, was born in Thracia to a Thraco-Roman family. He served in the Roman army before being placed on the throne by the Alan general, Aspar, who thought Leo would be an easily manipulated puppet emperor. Leo proved himself more independent than expected, and eventually assassinated Aspar. Leo was coronated in 457.<br/><br/>
The Colossus of Constantine was a colossal acrolithic statue of the late Roman emperor Constantine the Great (c. 280–337) that once occupied the west apse of the Basilica of Maxentius near the Forum Romanum in Rome. Portions of the Colossus now reside in the Courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori of the Musei Capitolini, on the Capitoline Hill, above the west end of the Forum.<br/><br/> The great head, arms and legs of the Colossus were carved from white marble, while the rest of the body consisted of a brick core and wooden framework, possibly covered with gilded bronze. (Acrolithic means 'stone at the extremities'.) Judging by the size of the remaining pieces, the seated, enthroned figure would have been about 12 m (40 ft) high. The head is about 2 ½ m high and each foot is over 2 m long.