Part of the enduring fame of Constantine I is due to his support for Christianity, with many works evaluating whether his apparent conversion was a genuine religious experience or a cynical political move. However, his path to absolute power in the Roman Empire depended more on the relentless application of military force than on his devotion to Christianity. He overthrew many rivals for Imperial power, most notably defeating Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. In this new study, Ian Hughs assesses whether Constantine deserved the title "the Great" only for his military achievements or if this title relies on gratitude from Christian historians.

All of Constantine's campaigns are narrated, and his strategic and tactical decisions are analyzed. The organization, strengths, and weaknesses of the Roman army he inherited are described, as well as the impact of his own reforms and earlier ones. The result is a fresh analysis of this pivotal figure in European history from a military perspective.

Pages: 288, Dimensions: 15.6x15.6cm