Arch of Constantine: The Great Christianity

"With free minds all are to worship their Gods." ― Constantine The Great

Constantine I, byname Constantine the Great, was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity and was instrumental in the religion's expansion. In 313, he and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan, which declared tolerance of all religions across the empire. More importantly, he not only launched the empire's conversion to Christianity, but also supplied the impetus for an uniquely Christian culture, paving the way for the development of Byzantine and Western medieval civilization.

Constantine's reputation as a catalyst for change extended into the spheres of art and architecture as well. The Triumphal Arch of Constantine at Rome is a remarkable example of the ideological and aesthetic developments brought about by Constantine's reign in art, as well as the emperor's zealous adherence to established Roman Imperial art and building traditions.

Built in 315 AD, Constantine the Great's arch commemorates the victory of Roman emperor Constantine over the Roman dictator Maxentius on October 28, 312 AD at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in Rome. This is the largest triumphal arch of Rome in existence and the last important monument of the Roman Empire. Arch is also a tour deforce of political propaganda, showing Constantine as a living continuation of the most successful Roman emperors, famous for their military success and exemplary rule.

Overall, Constantine radically altered the relationship between the church and the imperial government, initiating a process that eventually resulted in Christianity being the empire's official religion. As emperor, Constantine instituted several administrative, economical, social, and military changes in order to build the empire, one in which grants the title "Constantine the Great".