- 1. Constantine the Great, also known as Constantine I, was a pivotal figure in the history of the Roman Empire and is best remembered for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, thus laying the foundation for the Christian Empire. Born in circa AD 272 in Naissus, present-day Nis, Serbia, he was the son of Flavius Constantius, a Roman army officer, and Helena, who would later be venerated as Saint Helena. Constantine's rise to power began after the death of his father in AD 306, when he was proclaimed emperor by his troops in Britain. Over the next decade, he engaged in a series of military campaigns against rival claimants to the throne, notably Maxentius and Licinius, ultimately emerging victorious and becoming the sole ruler of the Roman Empire in AD 324. One of his most significant contributions was the Edict of Milan in AD 313, which granted religious tolerance to Christians and restored confiscated properties, marking a dramatic shift in the empire's religious landscape. Constantine also founded the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in AD 330, which became the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and a central hub for commerce and culture. His reign saw the promotion of Christian institutions, the convening of the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325 to address heresies within the Church, and the establishment of Christianity as a major force in Roman politics and society. Constantine died on May 22, 337, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly influenced the development of both the Roman Empire and the Christian Church, making him a towering figure in both history and theology.
What year was Constantine the Great born?
A) 272 AD
B) 285 AD
C) 250 AD
D) 300 AD
- 2. Which city did Constantine make the new capital of the Roman Empire?
A) Carthage
B) Constantinople
C) Alexandria
D) Rome
- 3. What significant religious policy did Constantine support?
A) Edict of Milan
B) Edict of Thessalonica
C) Edict of Caracalla
D) Edict of Tolerance
- 4. Which battle did Constantine win that led to his control of the Western Roman Empire?
A) Battle of Actium
B) Battle of Cannae
C) Battle of Milvian Bridge
D) Battle of Zama
- 5. What symbol did Constantine reportedly see in his vision before the Battle of Milvian Bridge?
A) Chi-Rho
B) Dove
C) Cross
D) Fish
- 6. When did Constantine become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire?
A) 310 AD
B) 300 AD
C) 330 AD
D) 324 AD
- 7. Which council did Constantine convene to address the Arian controversy?
A) First Council of Nicaea
B) Council of Ephesus
C) Council of Constantinople
D) Council of Chalcedon
- 8. What was the original name of Constantinople?
A) Carthage
B) Byzantium
C) Antioch
D) Rome
- 9. In what year did Constantine die?
A) 337 AD
B) 330 AD
C) 315 AD
D) 350 AD
- 10. Which significant structure did Constantine build in Constantinople?
A) Pantheon
B) Colosseum
C) Hagia Sophia
D) Forum
- 11. What was a key outcome of the Edict of Milan?
A) Creation of new religions
B) Abolition of the emperor's authority
C) Legalization of Christianity
D) Persecution of pagans
- 12. Which emperor ruled jointly with Constantine as co-emperor before becoming sole ruler?
A) Constantius
B) Licinius
C) Maxentius
D) Diocletian
- 13. Constantine is known for his role in the establishment of which Christian festival?
A) All Saints' Day
B) Christmas
C) Ascension Day
D) Easter
- 14. What was the role of Helena, Constantine's mother, in Christian history?
A) She was a Roman Empress.
B) She was a martyr.
C) She is venerated as a saint.
D) She built the Colosseum.
- 15. What famous Christian site did Helena claim to have discovered?
A) True Cross
B) St. Peter's tomb
C) Holy Sepulchre
D) Mount Sinai
- 16. Which vision altered Constantine's perspective on Christianity?
A) A dream before Milvian Bridge
B) A letter from the Pope
C) A vision after a battle
D) An oracle's prophecy
- 17. What was Constantine the Great's original name?
A) Gaius Julius Caesar
B) Tiberius Claudius
C) Marcus Aurelius
D) Flavius Valerius Constantinus
- 18. Who was Constantine's mother?
A) Faustina
B) Agrippina
C) Theodora
D) Helena
- 19. What kind of reforms did Constantine implement?
A) Educational reforms
B) Religious reforms only
C) Economic and Military reforms
D) Cultural reforms
- 20. What famous victory symbol is associated with Constantine?
A) Veni, Vidi, Vici
B) In hoc signo vinces
C) Carpe Diem
D) Alea Iacta Est
- 21. What was the fate of Licinius after his defeat?
A) Imprisoned for life
B) Exiled
C) Executed
D) Allowed to retain power
- 22. How many sons did Constantine have?
A) Five
B) One
C) Two
D) Three
- 23. Which Emperor did Constantine defeat at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge?
A) Diocletian
B) Galerius
C) Licinius
D) Maxentius
- 24. Who was Constantine the Great?
A) Carpenter
B) Roman Emperor
C) Greek Philosopher
D) Military General
- 25. What was significant about the Council of Nicaea?
A) It banned all pagan practices
B) It established the pope's authority
C) It addressed the Arian controversy
D) It created the New Testament
- 26. What was the nickname often associated with Constantine?
A) The Victorious
B) The Great
C) The Conqueror
D) The Wise
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