FLAVIUS VALERIUS CONSTANTINUS (306-337)

Summary: The giant among the rulers of the Roman Empire originating from the regions of today’s Serbia was born in Nais (today’s city of Niš) on 27 February 271 or 273 A.D, in a concubinage of Helena and Constantius Chlorus.Constantine died on 22 May 337, near Nicomedia, after which he was transported to Constantinople, where he was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles. He introduced many advanced innovations into the Roman Empire. He abolished military protection and dissolved Praetorian Guard; imposed high taxes; passed an act on religious tolerance known as the Edict of Milan; adopted a law on punishing all those who force the followers of other religions to practice paganism, and the law on abolishing gladiatorial games. On the coins, as the Caesar of the second Tetrarchy, Constantine is identified with Hercules, as the Caesar of the third Tetrarchy, with Mars, and during his independent reign, most frequently with Sol. Constantine’s portrait on the coins is usually done in the Hellenistic fashion. The face is youthful, strong, gazing upwards. The reverse of these coins features the Emperor of great might and size, triumphing over the miniature and subordinated enemy.