The Battle That Changed the Course of History

Ponte Milvio

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On October 28th 312, the ancient Pons Milvius (today's Ponte Milvio) was the setting for a battle that would change the course of history. 

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge was fought between two rival Roman emperors, Constantine I (r. 306-337) and Maxentius (r. 306-312). ​On the night before the battle Constantine is said to have had a dream, in which he saw the sun (the object of his own worship) and an image of a cross with the message: In Hoc Signo Vinces (Under this Sign, Prevail). The next morning he ordered his soldiers to paint crosses on their shields. In the ensuing battle Maxentius was thrown into the river Tiber, where he drowned. Victory was Constantine's.

It was a victory he quickly shared with Christians throughout the Roman empire when, in 313, the Edict of Milan was passed, giving them the freedom to practise their religion without fear of persecution.

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