337 facts for kids
| Millennium: | 1st millennium |
|---|---|
| Centuries: | 3rd century – 4th century – 5th century |
| Decades: | 300s 310s 320s – 330s – 340s 350s 360s |
| Years: | 334 335 336 – 337 – 338 339 340 |
The year 337 AD was a time of big changes for the Roman Empire. The most important event was the death of its powerful emperor, Constantine I. His passing led to a new way of ruling the empire, as his sons took over and divided the vast lands among themselves.
The End of an Era: Emperor Constantine's Death
On May 22, 337, Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, passed away. He was a very important Roman Emperor who had ruled for over 30 years. Constantine is famous for many things. He was the first Roman Emperor to become a Christian, which changed the history of the empire and the world. He also moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to a new city he built, which he called Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey).
Constantine's death was a huge moment because he had brought a lot of stability and change to the empire. People wondered what would happen next, as he had several sons who were expected to take over.
Dividing the Roman Empire
After Constantine the Great died, his three surviving sons and other relatives were meant to share power. However, things quickly became complicated. Many of Constantine's relatives were killed, leaving only his three sons to rule.
Who Were Constantine's Sons?
Constantine's three sons were:
- Constantine II
- Constantius II
- Constans I
They decided to divide the huge Roman Empire among themselves. This meant that instead of one emperor ruling everything, there would now be three emperors, each in charge of a different part of the empire.
What Happened Next?
- Constantine II received the western parts of the empire, including Gaul (modern-day France), Britannia (modern-day United Kingdom), and Hispania (modern-day Spain).
- Constans I was given Italy, Africa, and parts of the Balkans.
- Constantius II took control of the eastern parts of the empire, including Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), Syria, and Egypt.
This division of the empire was a major event. It showed that the Roman Empire was becoming too large for one person to rule effectively. The year 337 marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Roman Empire, with multiple emperors sharing power, which would lead to more changes in the years to come.
See also
In Spanish: 337 para niños
Images for kids
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The Roman Empire (337) was divided between the territories of (west to east): Constantine II, Constans I, Dalmatius and Constantius II
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Saint Eustathius of Antioch
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A statue of Emperor and Saint Constantine the Great
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A coin showing Hannibalianus, one of Constantine's relatives.
