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31228 October 312 · Rome

Constantine's victory at the Milvian Bridge

The Arch of Constantine in Rome, raised by the Senate to celebrate his victory
Photo: Pymouss. CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Constantine defeated his rival Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge over the Tiber and took control of Rome. Christian writers said he had fought under a sign of Christ revealed to him before the battle. In 313 he and his co-emperor Licinius granted Christians freedom of worship, and Constantine went on to build great churches, setting Christianity on the road to becoming the empire's faith.

Sites

  1. Site 1: Ponte MilvioThe rebuilt Roman bridge over the Tiber, now closed to traffic.Map ↗
  2. Site 2: Arch of ConstantineThe triumphal arch the Senate raised in 315 to mark the victory.Map ↗
  3. Site 3: Basilica of Maxentius and ConstantineHuge vaults of the hall Maxentius began and Constantine finished.Map ↗
  4. Site 4: Archbasilica of St John LateranRome's cathedral, founded by Constantine as the city's first great church.Map ↗

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