Constantine the Great: The Emperor Who Converted Rome to Christianity
On the day of this post’s publishing, the 28th day of the blessed month of Paremhotep (April 6th), Emperor Constantine the Great is commemorated in the Coptic Orthodox Synaxarion for his departure in the year 53 of the martyrs (337 AD).
The reign of Constantine the Great (r. 306–337 AD) marks a pivotal chapter in both Roman and Christian history. As the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine played an instrumental role in the legitimization and spread of the Christian faith across the empire. His influence was not limited to theological shifts—his legacy is also deeply embedded in the coinage of his era, which reflects the evolving religious and political landscape of late antiquity.
Modern bronze statue of Constantine I in York, England, near the spot where he was proclaimed Augustus in 306
From Pagan Emperor to Christian Convert
Born around 272 AD, Flavius Valerius Constantinus rose to power during a time of political turmoil. After the death of his father Constantius Chlorus in 306, Constantine was proclaimed emperor by his troops. His path to sole rulership was marked by civil war, most famously culminating in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD against his rival Maxentius.
Constantius appoints Constantine as his successor by Peter Paul Rubens, 1622
According to tradition, on the eve of the battle, Constantine experienced a divine vision. He reportedly saw a cross of light in the sky accompanied by the words "In hoc signo vinces" (“In this sign, you will conquer”). Following this, he instructed his soldiers to paint the Christian Chi-Rho symbol on their shields. After his victory, Constantine attributed his success to the Christian God and began a dramatic shift in imperial policy.
The Edict of Milan and Christian Favor
In 313 AD, Constantine and his co-emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan, which granted religious tolerance throughout the empire and ended the persecution of Christians. This act marked a turning point for Christianity, allowing it to emerge from the shadows into public life.
Constantine did not make Christianity the state religion—this would come later under Emperor Theodosius I—but he actively supported the Church. He granted privileges to clergy, funded the construction of churches (including the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem), and played a key role in organizing the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which addressed the Arian controversy and produced the Nicene Creed.
Icon depicting the Emperor Constantine and the bishops of the First Council of Nicaea (325) holding the Niceno–Constantinopolitan Creed of 381
Baptism and Death
Although Constantine favored Christianity for most of his reign, he was not baptized until shortly before his death in 337 AD. This delay was not uncommon at the time, as many believed baptism should cleanse all sins, and some preferred to wait until late in life.
The Coinage of Constantine: A Religious Evolution
Coinage under Constantine offers a visual narrative of his reign and religious transformation. Roman coins had long been a tool of propaganda, and Constantine used them to communicate both his divine right to rule and his gradual Christian alignment.
Key Features of Constantine’s Coinage:
The Chi-Rho and Christian Symbols:
Later in his reign, coins began to display the Chi-Rho (XP), the first two Greek letters of “Christ.” This symbol was often paired with wreaths, stars, or crosses, signaling divine favor.
Sol Invictus Imagery:
Early in his rule, Constantine continued using pagan imagery, especially the Sun God Sol Invictus, reflecting the syncretic nature of his early policies. Some scholars believe this represented a transitional phase as he moved toward exclusive Christian symbolism.
The Labarum Banner:
Constantine’s coins sometimes feature him holding the labarum, a Christian military standard bearing the Chi-Rho. This underscored the emperor’s divine backing and portrayed him as a protector of the Christian faith.
Portraits and Inscriptions:
Constantine's busts on coins shifted from the youthful, military style to more regal, god-like imagery over time. Inscriptions such as “DN CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG” (Dominus Noster Constantine Maximus Augustus) reinforced his supreme and sacred status.
City Commemoratives:
Constantine founded Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in 330 AD as the “New Rome.” Special commemorative coins were struck featuring Victory, Roma, and Constantinopolis, symbolizing the fusion of imperial and Christian ideals.
Legacy: An Empire Reimagined
Constantine’s support of Christianity forever altered the course of Western civilization. By aligning the empire with the Church, he laid the foundation for a Christian Roman Empire and, ultimately, the Byzantine Empire (The coinage of which will be the subject matter for future posts). His coins serve as miniature monuments, documenting the ideological shift from pagan Rome to a Christian imperial order.
Through visionary leadership, religious transformation, and strategic symbolism, Constantine the Great bridged two worlds—Rome’s imperial heritage and Christianity’s spiritual promise—setting the stage for the medieval Christian West.