Constantine the Great

Cameron Madden
MSMU Class of 2028

(2/25) A long time ago, born on the 27th of February, 272 AD, one of the most esteemed men in history was born. Constantine the Great, who later became the Roman Emperor from 406-337 AD, is one of the most known Romans in the public consciousness, mostly due to his association and adoption with Christianity; He was the first emperor to adopt such and lead one of the longest reigns of the empire in its history.

Happy Birthday to you Constantine! You were born in one of the most contentious times in Roman History, and despite that you rose from greatness. You were born in the East, where in your early days you were under threat from Palmyrene forces that sought to break away from Rome. Despite the danger of your childhood, you had stood strong, and for many years your early life was marked by trials that would have broken a lesser soul. Being the son of Constantius Chlorus and Helena, you experienced the political turbulence of the Tetrarchy, where four rulers tried to govern the weakened Roman Empire. You proved your mettle early on, showing that you were not just the son of a co-emperor, but a leader in your own right. Your military prowess was evident in your campaigns in Gaul, Britain, and along the Rhine, where you defended the empire's borders with skill and bravery, making your father and the empire very proud of your actions.

At 32 years old, I wonder where your mind took you in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. It was there that you reportedly saw a vision of the Christian cross, accompanied by the words "In this sign, you will conquer." I wonder if it truly was a prophetic vision, or perhaps was stirred on by thoughts of your mother, who today is known as St. Helena. Either way, it is incredible to think that after so long you were able to conquer those who stood in the way of peace in the Empire.

I also wonder, how after all of your conquests, and when you finally became the full emperor, you were able to keep your vision of prosperity so focused, rather than being blinded by power. After all, during the Edict of Milan in 313, you allowed for religious freedom across the empire, showing no envy or lustful intent in your role as emperor. After a long string of turmoil and corruption in the position, you were able to make it prestigious once more, and became the example, and archetype for what an emperor should be for the rest of the empire’s history.

Your reign had significant reforms and achievements, many of which were headed by you in an effort prosper its people. You founded the city of Constantinople, which would become the new capital of the Roman Empire and a beacon of culture and power for centuries, and for a thousand years, it would be the greatest on the continent. Your legal and administrative reforms strengthened the empire which were able to eliminate corruption (in some areas) and influence between military and civilian administration. Not only this, but you also instituted economic reform that helped put value back in Roman currency, and that would stabilize and refine the economy. One of your biggest commitments and personal goals was to build churches and support the Christian community to spread the faith th far and wide. You were a visionary who understood that the unity of the empire could be achieved through a shared religion, and I mention all of these feats not only to highlight your strengths, but to acknowledge the benefits you had across the people of your empire, and furthermore to the identity of Europe.

We can’t exactly ignore your methods of securing the position of emperor though; many rivals were put down, and consolidation of power certainly destroyed the tetrarchy system (honestly for the better.) Yet since the goal was to unify the nation so that it can be stabilized it seemed to be something that was necessary in order for you to achieve what you had. You demonstrated that faith could be a guiding principle for governance, and your example inspired generations of leaders who followed.

As we celebrate your birthday this February, we should remember not only your achievements which shaped the Western world as we know it today, but also the enduring impact of your vision. The world you helped to shape continues to feel the influence of your decisions, from the spread of Christianity to the preservation of Roman law and culture, much of which we see in our own legal systems and ways of governance. Your life is a testament to the power of conviction and the enduring impact of leadership rooted in faith and purpose and should be an inspiration for all who wish to uphold their nation’s prosperity, and all who are fit to lead.

Had you not been born, then many things like the spread of Christianity would have been either prevented, or even snuffed out, and even the survival of the empire was prolonged due to your leadership; long enough where we can still admire the strength and adaptability of the Romans. Rome reached its last golden age under you, and as your legacy continued on, those who were less fit to rule than you ultimately failed where you succeeded.

Happy Birthday, Constantine. Your legacy lives on, and your contributions to history continue to inspire. In this month, we honor the memory of a ruler who dared to dream of a united and peaceful empire, guided by the principles of faith and justice. May your story continue to be told for as long as there are people to tell it, reminding us all of the power of a vision, and the strength of character required to be called: The Great.