In 312 AD Constantine defeated his opponent and subsequently became the ruler of the entire Roman Empire. Although he was only baptised at the end of his life, he was in fact the first Christian emperor.
In the ‘Edict of Milan’, Constantine decreed that Christians should no longer be persecuted, and that the possessions that had been taken from them had to be returned. Christians could now openly live their faith, and were even involved in the administration of the empire.
