Constantine never completely gave up the pagan traditions of Rome. For example, on his return to the city, he accepted the title of chief priest of Rome, held by many emperors. He did, however, declare an end to the persecution of Christians. He legalized Christian worship, which under Diocletian had been punishable by death, in a. d. 313. In the following year he strengthened his control by arranging the marriage of his sister Constantia (kahn-STAN-shuh) to Licinius (lie-SIN-ee-uhs; ruled a. d. 308-324), the emperor in the East.
Constantine disbanded the Praetorian (pray-TOHR-ee-uhn) Guard, an institution established by Augustus. In the past, these personal bodyguards of the emperor had used their power to choose emperors themselves. He put more gold and
Silver coins into circulation to strengthen the economy and reorganized the military.
By A. D. 323, Constantine was strong enough to go after Licinius, leading the troops personally while his son Crispus (KRIS-pus) commanded the navy. Having gained victory over Licinius in Greece, he had him executed and declared Licinius a usurper, meaning that all the laws he had passed were null and void. For reasons that are not clear, he then accused Fausta, Crispus, and Constantia of treason. He had them executed along with Licinius's son and others.
Now sole ruler of the Roman Empire, Constantine decided it was time to establish a second capital. For this he chose the Greek city of Byzantium (bi-ZAN-tee-um). Not only did it occupy a commanding position overlooking the Bosporus but it made administration of the Eastern Empire much more practical in an age before telephones and airplanes. By the time the Western Roman Empire collapsed in a. d. 476, the Eastern Roman Empire had become the Byzantine Empire (BIZ-un-teen), which preserved Greco-Roman culture for more than a thousand years. Today Byzantium is the Turkish city of Istanbul (EE-stahn-bool). Until 1453 it was known by the name Constantine gave it: Constantinople (kahn-stan-ti-NOHP-ul).
World History
