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Secondary sourcePaintingc. 1200

Constantine the Great Baptised by St Sylvester

c. 1200

A medieval illuminated manuscript scene showing the legendary baptism of Constantine the Great by Pope Sylvester.

Depicts the legendary Christian story of Constantine's baptism, central to his later religious reputation.

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Medieval illuminated manuscript page with four framed scenes in gold and blue panels. Bottom left shows a bishop with halo baptising a nude figure in a font of flames, while a crowned figure looks on. Other panels show standing saints and a scene of a figure with a torch.
Constantine the Great baptised by St Sylvester, c. 1200. KB, National Library of the Netherlands.

About this source

What it is

This is a medieval illuminated manuscript page, made around 1200, showing four painted scenes in gold and blue panels. One scene shows a haloed bishop baptising a figure in a font, watched by a crowned man, illustrating the legendary baptism of Constantine by St Sylvester. It is held by the KB, National Library of the Netherlands.

Why it matters

This image reflects the medieval Christian legend that grew up around Constantine, portraying him as personally converted and baptised by the Pope. It shows how later Christians retold and shaped the story of Constantine's conversion to support the authority of the Church.

Look closer

  • What symbols in the image tell you this is meant to be a religious, holy scene?
  • Why might the Church have wanted to tell this story about Constantine?
  • What does this image leave out about the real history of Constantine's conversion?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Constantine the Great on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Constantine the Great · 313 AD

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Roman Senate · c. 312-315

Title page of a book reading 'Ecclesiastical History: The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine, in four books, from 306 to 337 A.D., by Eusebius Pamphilus', London, Samuel Bagster and Sons, 1845. Includes a library stamp and a publisher's ornament.Book

Secondary source

Life of Constantine

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Title page of a 1684 printed book: 'L. Caecilii Firmiani Lactantii, De mortibus persecutorum, liber; cum notis Johannis Columbi ad Gisbertum Cuperum', printed at Aboae by Johannes Winter in Finlandia. Below the text is a woodcut of a pelican-like bird with young on a branch, and a faded library stamp reading 'Bibl. Collegii ... Augsburg'.Book

Secondary source

De mortibus persecutorum

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