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[[File:Constantine I bust - Capitole Rome.jpg|thumb|300px|Colossal Head of Constantine I]]

[[File:Constantine I bust - Capitole Rome.jpg|thumb|300px|Colossal Head of Constantine I]]

{{Rome}}'''Constantine I''', (full name: ''Imperator Caesar Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus Augustus'';<ref>http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/constantine/i.html</ref> AD 272 – May 22, AD 337) was a [[Rome|Roman]] [[Emperor]] famous for being the first Christian Emperor of Rome, and  legalizing [[Christianity]].  

{{Rome}}

'''Constantine I''', (full name: ''Imperator Caesar Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus Augustus'';<ref>http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/constantine/i.html</ref> AD 272 – May 22, AD 337) was a [[Rome|Roman]] [[Emperor]] famous for being the first Christian Emperor of Rome, and  legalizing [[Christianity]].  

He is often held up by the [[Church]] as the ideal religious [[ruler]], ruling at the will of the just [[God]] who ended the persecution of Christians.  

He is often held up by the [[Church]] as the ideal religious [[ruler]], ruling at the will of the just [[God]] who ended the persecution of Christians.  

==Constantine as sole Emperor==

==Constantine as sole Emperor==

In 324 Constantine began building a new city on the site of the village of Byzantium, on the Bosporous.  The city was completed six years and given the name of Nova Roma (New Rome), and made his new capital.  After Constantine's death, the city would be renamed [[Constantinople]] after him.   

In 324 Constantine began building a new city on the site of the village of Byzantium, on the Bosporus.  The city was completed six years and given the name of Nova Roma (New Rome), and made his new capital.  After Constantine's death, the city would be renamed [[Constantinople]] after him.   

    

    

With his authority over the entire Empire safely secured, one of Constantine's first actions was to call together a meeting of Christian leaders.  After years of never being able to all meet together openly, Constantine encouraged Christian leaders from all over the Empire to come together and draw up common understandings of their beliefs.  This became the [[Council of Nicaea]] in AD 325  

With his authority over the entire Empire safely secured, one of Constantine's first actions was to call together a meeting of Christian leaders.  After years of never being able to all meet together openly, Constantine encouraged Christian leaders from all over the Empire to come together and draw up common understandings of their beliefs.  This became the [[Council of Nicaea]] in AD 325  

"IMP CONSTANT AUG, SOL INV.," expanded as, "Imperator Constantinus Augustus, to Sol Invictus," and translated as, "Commander Constantine, Augustus, dedicated to the God of the Unconquered Sun."

"IMP CONSTANT AUG, SOL INV.," expanded as, "Imperator Constantinus Augustus, to Sol Invictus," and translated as, "Commander Constantine, Augustus, dedicated to the God of the Unconquered Sun."

 

The question "How did Constantine alter the Bible?" has become popular since the release of The Da Vinci Code. The book reads, "The fundamental irony of Christianity! The Bible, as we know it today, was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great."

The question “How did Constantine alter the Bible?” has become popular since the release of The Da Vinci Code. The book reads, “The fundamental irony of Christianity! The Bible, as we know it today, was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great."

However, the evidence is clear that is not true. Constantine did not form or collate the Bible. In 306 AD, Constantine (274 – 337 AD) became ruler of the [[Roman Empire]]. He gained his fame for becoming the single ruler of the Roman Empire (after he deceived and defeated Licinius) before supposedly converting to Christianity (his reported conversion is debatable).

However, the evidence is clear that is not true. Constantine did not form or collate the Bible. In 306 AD, Constantine (274 – 337 AD) became ruler of the [[Roman Empire]]. He gained his fame for becoming the single ruler of the Roman Empire (after he deceived and defeated Licinius) before supposedly converting to Christianity (his reported conversion is debatable).

In 325, Constantine called the [[Council of Nicea]], which was the first general conference of the Christian church. Constantine had virtually nothing to do with the forming of the canon and it was not even discussed at Nicea. Instead, the council that formed decisions about the canon took place in 397 in Cathage. This was 60 years after Constantine’s death.

In 325, Constantine called the [[Council of Nicea]], which was the first general conference of the Christian church. Constantine had virtually nothing to do with the forming of the canon and it was not even discussed at Nicea. Instead, the council that formed decisions about the canon took place in 397 in Carthage. This was 60 years after Constantine’s death.

It is important to note that 21 books were acknowledged by Christians long before Constantine. In AD 330, Constantine did finance the copying of 50 Christian Scriptures. However, this was not a new Bible, and he did not omit any of the already accepted books.

It is important to note that 21 books were acknowledged by Christians long before Constantine. In AD 330, Constantine did finance the copying of 50 Christian Scriptures. However, this was not a new Bible, and he did not omit any of the already accepted books.