Jack's Reviews > Constantine the Great: The Man and His Times

Constantine the Great. What can I say that already isn't in the title. I have a passionate love for learning about the Roman Empire. Nothing make me sadder than reading about the barbarian incursions on the Empire's northern frontier while the threat in the East continues to grow against Constantinople. A tragedy every time I read about the civil wars after the retirement of Diocletian leading to the sole rule of Constantine. In his greatest hours he sowed the seeds of the destruction of the Western Empire. The first Christian monarch, while all powerful, could not bring the Arian Christians into line with the rest of Christianity...leading to punitive measure against those deemed heretic, providing a precedent for wars and inquisitions against those who would be labeled heretic in the future. He created consolidated an empire but weakened it. He ensured the western empire would long outlive him until 1453 at the expense of the west. He recruited heavily in the Germanic tribes making Germans comfortable commanding the Roman armies, too comfortable. Rome remained Roman only for about 100 years after his death, yet Byzantium grew powerful due to his efforts. All Roman Empire lovers should read this one.