Before Constantine, the Roman people were suffering from a combination of the following external threats:
- Barbarians called the Goths ransacked Spain. They were advancing into Greece and Macedonia.
- Rome had possession of Crete, and the Goths wanted it.
- The Parthian Empire, a major trade spot along the Silk Road, had kidnapped Emperor Valerian, the Roman Emperor from 253-260 A.D.
- Egypt was struggling in the hands of a rebel that had cut off the grain supply.
- Giant earthquakes were plaguing Asia, which could be felt in Rome and Egypt.
- Christians struggled with the threat of being killed, captured, or hurt in some way.