A Military Life of Constantine the Great

by Ian Hughes

Overview

A new analysis of the strengths, organization, weapons, and tactics of the Roman army Constantine inherited and his military reforms.

Much of Constantine I’s claim to lasting fame rests upon his sponsorship of Christianity, and many works have been published assessing whether his apparent conversion was a real religious experience or a cynical political maneuver. However, his path to sole rule of the Roman Empire depended more upon the ruthless application of military might than upon his espousal of Christianity. He fought numerous campaigns, many against Roman rivals for Imperial power, most famously defeating Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. In this new study, Ian Hughes assesses whether Constantine would have deserved the title “the Great” for his military achievements alone, or whether the epithet depends upon the gratitude of Christian historians.

All of Constantine’s campaigns are narrated and his strategic and tactical decisions analyzed. The organization, strengths, and weaknesses of the Roman army he inherited are described and the effect of both his and his predecessors’ reforms discussed. The result is a fresh analysis of this pivotal figure in European history from a military perspective.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526724243
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	04/01/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	389
File size:	30 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Ian Hughes specializes in Late Roman history and is the author of _Belisarius, the Last Roman General_ (2009); _Stilicho, the Vandal who Saved Rome_ (2010); _Aetius: Attila’s Nemesis_ (2012); _Imperial Brothers: Valentinian, Valens and the Disaster at Adrianople_ (2013); _Patricians and Emperors_ (2015) and _Gaiseric, the Vandal Who Destroyed Rome_ (2017). A former teacher whose hobbies include football, wargaming and restoring electric guitars, Ian lives near Barnsley in South Yorkshire.

Table of Contents

Introduction vi

Abbreviations xx

Chapter 1 Background 1

Chapter 2 Diocletian and His Reforms 11

Chapter 3 Constantius and Son 40

Chapter 4 The Rise of Constantine 58

Chapter 5 The Conquest of Northern Italy 86

Chapter 6 The Battle of the Milvian Bridge 103

Chapter 7 Constantine: Western Emperor 132

Chapter 8 The Bellum Cibalense 150

Chapter 9 Descent to War 173

Chapter 10 The Final Conflict 186

Chapter 11 The Reforms 200

Chapter 12 Crispus and Fausta 213

Chapter 13 Sole Emperor 225

Chapter 14 Constantine's Later Campaigns¹ 237

Chapter 15 Aftermath and Conclusion 254

Constantine's Campaigns (Born c.272) 265

Notes 266

Select Bibliography 288

Index 297