Mosaic of Emperor Constantine from the Hagia Sophia

Just as significant as Constantine’s conversion to and official toleration of Christianity was his unprecedented decision to move the capital of the Roman empire from Rome itself to Constantinople. Rome had always been defined by... well, Rome itself. In recent decades, though, it had become a nest of intrigue, betrayal, and political conflict. Constantine seemed to want to just start over — wipe the slate clean and have a capitol which not only avoided all the traditional family rivalries, but which also reflected the breadth of the empire.