Gaius Flavius ​​Valerius Aurelius Constantinus, or Constantine, is commonly referred to as the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire and as the defender of Christianity. Such grandiose titles are not necessarily due for the reasons people commonly think of them today. The first clear example where Christianity is seen in Constantine's life is during his campaign against Maxentius. In the spring of 311, when Constantine was marching towards Rome to fight against Maxentius, he saw a vision in the sky, a luminous cross along with the words "with this sign conquer". Later that night, he had a dream in which God told him to use that sign as a safeguard to use in all his future battles. Constantine awoke and immediately ordered his troops to carve the chi-rho, the sign he saw – a combination of the Greek letters chi and rho, on their shields (Constantine converts to Christianity 312). Some historians have found it more appropriate to consider Constantine at this point a patron of Christianity rather than a convert since he appears to be using it as a means to conquer and attributes his success to it rather than being condemned and handed over to Jesus Christ as a true Christian should (legitimation under Constantine). Meanwhile, at the same time that Constantine has visions and sacred dreams, Maxentius sought guidance and confirmation from pagan oracles and found a prophecy declaring that "the enemy of the Romans would be parish priest." Encouraged by this prophecy, he left Rome's defensive position and met Constantine at the Milvian Bridge. Constantine won despite having an army about a third the size of Maxentius'. It is said that Maxentius' army became confused and scattered during the battle. Maxentius was... at the center of the paper... anyone's prerogative. One thing is certain: the Christian world would not be what it is today without the presence of Constantine the Great who influenced its direction some seventeen hundred years ago. Bibliography "131 Christians Everyone Should Know". Tian's history and biography. 2003. ChristianityToday.com. December 1, 2006 ."Constantine I." Wikipedia. November 11, 2006. December 1, 2006 "Constantine I and Christianity" Wikipedia. November 14, 2006. December 1, 2006"Constantine the Great." The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume IV. 2003. New Advent. December 7, 2006. Ferguson, Corrie, et al. "Constantine converts to Christianity." Webchron. 1998. December 7, 2006. Smitha, Frank. "Christian emperors of Rome, up to 410 AD" MacroHistory. 1998. December 1, 2006.Ungerleider, Samuel. "Legitimation under Constantine". From Jesus to Christ: Why Christianity Succeeded. 2005. PBS. December 1st 2006 .