Changes

==Struggle for Political Power==

==Struggle for Political Power==

Constantine's early life did not show what he was to become as Constantine is well-known to have considered many different religions. He had shown no particular revulsion to the last great persecution of Christians under the Emperor [[Diocletian]].  He became Caesar of the West upon the death of his father in AD 306<ref>Who’s Who in Christianity, Lavinia Coh-Sherbok, 1998</ref> and ruled the region of Gaul while Severus became the Augustus of the West, a higher designation than Caesar.  Maximian usurped the power of Augustus and his son Maxentius, who had also assumed the title of Caesar, had Severus executed.  Maximian had a falling out with his son and feared Galerius, who was Augustus of the East; Maximian sought Constantine's protection.  Continued bickering eventually saw Constantine given the title of Augustus in AD 310.  Maximian tried to revolt and was killed by Constantine.  Galerius died of disease in AD 311 and his nephew Maximinus Daia, who had also been made an Augustus, took his lands. Continued difficulties with Maxentius led to open warfare between him and Constantine.  Constantine invaded Italy to face Maxentius and then had the event that proved to be the turning point of his life.

Constantine's early life did not show what he was to become as Constantine is well known to have considered many different religions. He had shown no particular revulsion to the last great persecution of Christians under the Emperor [[Diocletian]].  He became Caesar of the West upon the death of his father in AD 306<ref>Who’s Who in Christianity, Lavinia Coh-Sherbok, 1998</ref> and ruled the region of Gaul while Severus became the Augustus of the West, a higher designation than Caesar.  Maximian usurped the power of Augustus and his son Maxentius, who had also assumed the title of Caesar, had Severus executed.  Maximian had a falling out with his son and feared Galerius, who was Augustus of the East; Maximian sought Constantine's protection.  Continued bickering eventually saw Constantine given the title of Augustus in AD 310.  Maximian tried to revolt and was killed by Constantine.  Galerius died of disease in AD 311 and his nephew Maximinus Daia, who had also been made an Augustus, took his lands. Continued difficulties with Maxentius led to open warfare between him and Constantine.  Constantine invaded Italy to face Maxentius and then had the event that proved to be the turning point of his life.

==Victory and embracing of Christianity==

==Victory and embracing of Christianity==