Constantine I [Flavius Valerius Constantinus; known as Constantine the Great]
- P. J. Casey
Extract
Constantine I [Flavius Valerius Constantinus; known as Constantine the Great] (272/3–337), Roman emperor, was born at Naissus (modern Niš in Serbia) on 22 February 272 or 273. The year of his birth remains uncertain for lack of epigraphic evidence and calculations of the date are based on passing references in contemporary, or near contemporary, writers. These vary widely, suggesting that his age at death in 337 was between sixty and sixty-five years. A study of his career points to the latter age as best fitting the known facts about his various military appointments before his elevation to the throne. It has been noted that ...