Gaius Flavius ​​​​Valerius Aurelius Constantinus, or Constantine, is commonly called the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire and the defender of Christianity. Such prestigious titles are not necessarily due to the reasons people attribute to them today. The first clear example where Christianity is visible in Constantine's life is during his campaign against Maxentius. In the spring of 311, as Constantine marched toward Rome to fight Maxentius, he saw a vision in the sky, a luminous cross accompanied by the words "by this sign, conquer." Later that night, he had a dream in which God told him to use this sign as a protection to use in all his future battles. Constantine awoke and immediately ordered his troops to inscribe the chi-rho, the sign he had seen – a combination of the Greek letters chi and rho, on their shields (Constantine Converts to Christianity 312). Some historians have found it more appropriate to view Constantine as a patron of Christianity at this point rather than a convert, as it appears that he used it as a means to conquer and attributed its success to being convinced and committed to Jesus Christ as a means to conquer. the true Christian should (legitimation under Constantine). Meanwhile, at the same time that Constantine was having sacred visions and dreams, Maxentius sought advice and confirmation from pagan oracles and found a prophecy stating that "the enemy of the Romans would take the parish." Emboldened by this prophecy, he left Rome's defensive position and met Constantine at the Milvian Bridge. Constantine was victorious despite having an army about a third the size of Maxentius's. It is said that Maxentius' army was confused and scattered during the battle. Maxence was in the car... middle of paper... everyone's prerogative. One thing is certain: the Christian world would not be what it is today without the presence of Constantine the Great to influence its direction approximately seventeen hundred years ago. Bibliography “131 Christians Everyone Should Know”. History and biography of Tian. 2003. ChristianityToday.com. December 1, 2006, “Constantine I”. Wikipedia. November 11, 2006. December 1, 2006. “Constantine I and Christianity” Wikipedia. November 14, 2006. December 1, 2006 “Constantine the Great”. The Catholic Encyclopedia, volume IV. 2003. New Advent. December 7, 2006. Ferguson, Corrie et al. “Constantine converts to Christianity”. Webchron. 1998. December 7, 2006. Smitha, Frank. “The Christian emperors of Rome, until 410 CE.” MacroHistory. 1998. December 1, 2006. Ungerleider, Samuel. “Legitimization under Constantine”. From Jesus to Christ: Why Christianity Succeeded. 2005. PBS. December 1 2006 .