In the 4th century, Constantine
became emperor of the Roman
Empire. He made his seat in
Byzantium, in northwest Asia
Minor. Byzantium remained the
capital city of the provinces
Palestine, Samaria, Galilee and
Judea until 638. While the de-
tails of Constantine's baptism
are uncertain, it appears that
he was a practising Christian
who rapidly became involved in
religious affairs throughout the
empire.