David Potter, Francis W. Kelsey Collegiate Professor of Greek and Roman History and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Greek and Latin, University of Michigan

David Potter is Francis W. Kelsey Collegiate Professor of Greek and Roman History and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Greek and Latin at the University of Michigan. His books include The Victor's Crown (OUP), Emperors of Rome, and Ancient Rome: A New History.

"He has examined, with gusto and an unrivalled mastery of detail, the aspects of Constantine neglected by those who concentrate only on his relations with Christianity." - Peter Brown, London Review of Books

"[This is a book] for anyone who really wants to understand how the Roman Empire functioned, how the Church came to be absorbed into imperial structures and administration, and how the Emperor's aims and ideas developed as his experience of running (or at least heading) the empire grew." - The Revd Dr Cally Hammond, Church Times

"Potter's mission is to chip away at the meretricious "facts" of Constantine's life and throw back over him the more truthful shroud of obscurity...[I]t would be hard to find a more convincing account of the military and administrative prowess and the conviction with which Constantine carved out a new style of monarchy against the long shadow of Diocletian." - The Tablet

"Potter's admirably comprehensive account of this most significant of all emperors clearly and judiciously plots the way in which he grew into the role that he was convinced it was his destiny to play." - BBC History Magazine

"Based closely on contemporary evidence, David Potter has written a penetrating and original analysis of the evolution of Constantine's role as Emperor, and of his conception of that role." - Military History Monthly

"[Potter] has produced a new, readable and authoritative account of Constantine's life." - The Church of England Newspaper