- 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) Rome
B) Carthage
C) Constantinople
D) Alexandria
- 3. What significant religious policy did Constantine support?
A) Edict of Caracalla
B) Edict of Milan
C) Edict of Thessalonica
D) Edict of Tolerance
- 4. Which battle did Constantine win that led to his control of the Western Roman Empire?
A) Battle of Cannae
B) Battle of Milvian Bridge
C) Battle of Actium
D) Battle of Zama
- 5. What symbol did Constantine reportedly see in his vision before the Battle of Milvian Bridge?
A) Cross
B) Fish
C) Dove
D) Chi-Rho
- 6. When did Constantine become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire?
A) 300 AD
B) 330 AD
C) 310 AD
D) 324 AD
- 7. Which council did Constantine convene to address the Arian controversy?
A) Council of Constantinople
B) Council of Chalcedon
C) Council of Ephesus
D) First Council of Nicaea
- 8. What was the original name of Constantinople?
A) Antioch
B) Byzantium
C) Rome
D) Carthage
- 9. In what year did Constantine die?
A) 337 AD
B) 330 AD
C) 350 AD
D) 315 AD
- 10. Which significant structure did Constantine build in Constantinople?
A) Pantheon
B) Colosseum
C) Hagia Sophia
D) Forum
- 11. Who was Constantine the Great?
A) Greek Philosopher
B) Military General
C) Carpenter
D) Roman Emperor
- 12. How many sons did Constantine have?
A) One
B) Five
C) Three
D) Two
- 13. Which emperor ruled jointly with Constantine as co-emperor before becoming sole ruler?
A) Diocletian
B) Constantius
C) Maxentius
D) Licinius
- 14. Who was Constantine's mother?
A) Theodora
B) Agrippina
C) Helena
D) Faustina
- 15. What famous victory symbol is associated with Constantine?
A) In hoc signo vinces
B) Carpe Diem
C) Alea Iacta Est
D) Veni, Vidi, Vici
- 16. What was a key outcome of the Edict of Milan?
A) Persecution of pagans
B) Creation of new religions
C) Abolition of the emperor's authority
D) Legalization of Christianity
- 17. What famous Christian site did Helena claim to have discovered?
A) Mount Sinai
B) Holy Sepulchre
C) True Cross
D) St. Peter's tomb
- 18. What was the role of Helena, Constantine's mother, in Christian history?
A) She is venerated as a saint.
B) She was a martyr.
C) She built the Colosseum.
D) She was a Roman Empress.
- 19. Constantine is known for his role in the establishment of which Christian festival?
A) Ascension Day
B) Easter
C) All Saints' Day
D) Christmas
- 20. What was the fate of Licinius after his defeat?
A) Allowed to retain power
B) Imprisoned for life
C) Exiled
D) Executed
- 21. Which Emperor did Constantine defeat at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge?
A) Maxentius
B) Galerius
C) Diocletian
D) Licinius
- 22. What was Constantine the Great's original name?
A) Flavius Valerius Constantinus
B) Gaius Julius Caesar
C) Marcus Aurelius
D) Tiberius Claudius
- 23. What was significant about the Council of Nicaea?
A) It created the New Testament
B) It banned all pagan practices
C) It established the pope's authority
D) It addressed the Arian controversy
- 24. What was the nickname often associated with Constantine?
A) The Wise
B) The Great
C) The Victorious
D) The Conqueror
- 25. What kind of reforms did Constantine implement?
A) Educational reforms
B) Cultural reforms
C) Religious reforms only
D) Economic and Military reforms
- 26. Which vision altered Constantine's perspective on Christianity?
A) A vision after a battle
B) A letter from the Pope
C) A dream before Milvian Bridge
D) An oracle's prophecy
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