Battle of the Milvian Bridge: the day Constantine changed Rome
The Battle of the Milvian Bridge: the day that changed Rome’s fate
On October 28, 312 AD, the fate of the Roman Empire was decided on a little bridge just outside Rome. Here, emperors Maxentius and Constantine the Great fought a battle that would make history. In the end, what started out as a power struggle transformed the empire and contributed to the spread of Christianity throughout the ancient world.
A battle for the Western Roman Empire
The Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place during a turbulent time in Roman history, when Constantine and Maxentius were fighting for control of the Western Roman Empire. The bridge, that still stands over the Tiber river today, was both a crossing point and the entry to Rome.
Ancient writers tell us that, the night before the fight, Constantine had a vision: he supposedly saw a cross of light in the sky, along with words that promised him success if he fought under that symbol. Whether legend or faith, it became the symbol of a turning point for Constantine, but also for his future empire.
Constantine’s victory and triumphal entry into Rome
When the armies met at dawn, Constantine’s troops quickly took control. Maxentius’s men were pushed back toward the river, and in the confusion, the bridge collapsed beneath them. The emperor fell into the Tiber and drowned while his army was defeated.
Constantine triumphantly entered Rome. The Senate praised him as the legitimate head of the Western Roman Empire, and the city welcomed him as a liberator. The Maxentius defeat put an end to years of political turmoil and marked the beginning of Constantine’s long reign.
The rise of a new religion
After his victory, Constantine explained his success through divine guidance. One year after, he issued the Edict of Milan, which permitted religious freedom throughout the empire. That’s when Christianity started to be protected by law for the first time.
While the Battle of the Milvian Bridge on one side put an end to a civil war, on the other side it also marked the start of a new era in Roman history.
Visiting the Milvian Bridge in Rome today
In the northern part of Rome, the Milvian Bridge still crosses the Tiber River. Today it’s a pedestrian bridge, popular for strolls and sunset views. If you pause for a moment and look toward the water, you can try to imagine the chaos of that day in 312 AD: the clash of the swords and the shouts of the soldiers.
Are you planning to explore Rome and would like to discover its historic battles with a local guide? Email us at info@citylightstours.com and we’ll be happy to bring you to the very places where Rome’s past still feels alive.