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Rating: 
Summary: The pagan view.
Review: In the introduction to this book, Grant notes that Christians from the emperor's day to the present have counted him a saint; pagans of his day, Grant says, were wildly critical. Grant then chooses to offer his readers most of the critical, little of the saintly. This book is a primary source for neo-pagan historiography in the 1990s.
Rating: 
Summary: Objective but not Grant's Best
Review: One of history's colossal figures, Grant looks at Constantine in this book from a viewpoint of objectivity, giving an assesment that is respectful to all sides of the man, not just those clouded in legend. Famous for the moment of divine guidance that supposedly led him to military victory and gave him full control over the west, Grant does well at showing that there was far more to this man then the promotion of Christianity he began in the empire following that vision. Much of this had enormous reverberations that forever shaped European and religious history, but unfortunately Grant neglects to delve into this importance as much as he could have. Instead, he largely glided over many of these history-altering situations and focused on perhaps lesser known aspects of the man and his times that creates the image of objectivity at the expense of ananlysis of many important facts.
However, the fact that the book focuses exclusively on the man and not simply the Roman world of his time makes it largely unique, and from that it gains its value. As much biography as it is history, the insight into the nature of an era through the focusing upon of one monumental man makes this book worthwhile for anyone who can get a hold of it. It is brief in the discussion of many important facts, and that is certainly a drawback, but a greater appreciation for the man and his actual achievements and individuality, rather than just his legend, can be gained from Grant's work. Understanding Constantine, how and thought and what made him tick, is essential for truly understanding his time, and while there are many books on that latter, Grant fills the void on the former.
Rating:
Summary: Concise yet thoughtful
Review: This is a concise yet thoughtful work on the pivotal character in the late classical world. Constantine's character is analyzed as well as possible and there is an excellent chapter on his building programs thoughout the Roman Empire. The Civil Wars between Constantine and Maxentius, then Constantine and Licinius, are covered in good detail. More information on the Tetrarchy (Constantine lived at the court of Galerius, who was a Caeser under Diocletian and an Augustus after Diocletian and Maximian retired) would have been useful to help give the reader a clearer picture of the times Constantine lived in. The conclusion was a bit disappointing. Grant spends little time discussing the affect Constantine's policies had upon the civil wars fought by his three sons and two nephews, of which Constantius II was ultimately victorious. Also, he spends little time in his conclusion talking about how Constantine's policies effected Constantius II's rule. All in all, a good book on a difficult subject.
Rating:
Summary: Concise yet thoughtful
Review: This is a concise yet thoughtful work on the pivotal character in the late classical world. Constantine's character is analyzed as well as possible and there is an excellent chapter on his building programs thoughout the Roman Empire. The Civil Wars between Constantine and Maxentius, then Constantine and Licinius, are covered in good detail. More information on the Tetrarchy (Constantine lived at the court of Galerius, who was a Caeser under Diocletian and an Augustus after Diocletian and Maximian retired) would have been useful to help give the reader a clearer picture of the times Constantine lived in. The conclusion was a bit disappointing. Grant spends little time discussing the affect Constantine's policies had upon the civil wars fought by his three sons and two nephews, of which Constantius II was ultimately victorious. Also, he spends little time in his conclusion talking about how Constantine's policies effected Constantius II's rule. All in all, a good book on a difficult subject.
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