Introductory Sketch of Bullneck's Rule

Ancient history reveals that the Roman Emperor Constantine, like many Caesars before him became absolutely corrupted by absolute power [1]. Under his three decade rule from 305 to 337 CE the modern sovereign political state was forged in the imperial furnaces of military extortion, persecution and fascist intolerance. His rule is described as Neronian [2] – it was a “bloodbath”. Constantine suffered the downhill slide under the extreme gravity of absolute political power.
"Constantine was a mocker rather than a flatterer.
From this he was called “Bullneck”.
For ten years a most excellent man;
For the following second ten a brigand;
For the last, on account of his unrestrained prodigality,
a ward irresponsible for his own actions".

- The History of Aurelius Victor [3]

The history of Aurelius Victor tells us that there were three phases in the account of the rule of the Emperor Constantine, each of about ten years. Today these three phases may be appropriately described as "The Good”, “The Bad” and “The Ugly”.

Constantine’s Family Business was War

Constantine had been involved in war since childhood. It was the family business. From his track record of later successes in this field it would appear to be clear that he was good at his business. Eusebius reveals a little about Constantine’s outward personal characteristics:
"He was matched by none in grace and beauty of form,
or in tallness, and so surpassing his contemporaries
in personal strength that he struck terror into them." [4]

After serving as a hostage for his father Constantius Chlorus in the courts of Diocletian, apparently quite successfully for many years, something – perhaps raw ambition - precipitated a desperate escape bid from this enemy territory. An escape bid littered with dead horses. His father Constantius Chlorus also joined the dead at that time and so Constantine was made Caesar by the army c.305 CE.

Constantine’s Burning Ambition for for Power and Gold