The Chi-Rho Monogram
The Battle of Milvian Bridge, 312 A.D.
Since 306 A.D., there had been a power struggle in Rome; the step-brothers Constantine and Maxentius each claimed authority over the empire. The rightful ruler would be decided upon once and for all at the Battle of Milvian Bridge.
In late October of 312, Constantine mobilized his forces and marched to war; his army stopped to make camp the night before the battle was to happen. That night, Constantine had a vision in which he saw what looked like an 'X' with a 'P' through it. A deep, booming voice, it is told, accompanied the symbol, uttering the words "in hoc signo vinces" -- Latin for "in this sign, you shall conquer."
The 'X' and 'P' that formed the symbol are actually the Greek letters Chi (the 'X') and Rho (the 'P') -- the first two letters in Christos, or Christ, meaning "the anointed one."
Constantine felt certain that this was a sign from God, or at least from a god, and though not himself a Christian, he ordered the symbol painted on every soldier's shield and banner before the upcoming battle. Thus, his forces went to war with the hope that in the sign of Christ, they would conquer.
On October 28, Constantine's forces met Maxentius' at Milvian Bridge and the battle raged. By day's end, Maxentius' men had been obliterated, and Maxentius himself had been killed; Constantine was now the unchallenged emperor of Rome.
After the battle, Constantine became the first emperor to convert to Christianity, opening the door for Christianity to become the dominant religion in Europe.
In late October of 312, Constantine mobilized his forces and marched to war; his army stopped to make camp the night before the battle was to happen. That night, Constantine had a vision in which he saw what looked like an 'X' with a 'P' through it. A deep, booming voice, it is told, accompanied the symbol, uttering the words "in hoc signo vinces" -- Latin for "in this sign, you shall conquer."
The 'X' and 'P' that formed the symbol are actually the Greek letters Chi (the 'X') and Rho (the 'P') -- the first two letters in Christos, or Christ, meaning "the anointed one."
Constantine felt certain that this was a sign from God, or at least from a god, and though not himself a Christian, he ordered the symbol painted on every soldier's shield and banner before the upcoming battle. Thus, his forces went to war with the hope that in the sign of Christ, they would conquer.
On October 28, Constantine's forces met Maxentius' at Milvian Bridge and the battle raged. By day's end, Maxentius' men had been obliterated, and Maxentius himself had been killed; Constantine was now the unchallenged emperor of Rome.
After the battle, Constantine became the first emperor to convert to Christianity, opening the door for Christianity to become the dominant religion in Europe.