Constantine is regarded as the Christian emperor whose reign defined the beginning of the Christian West. A vision before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge is said to have converted him to the belief in the one "true" God. However, a less idealized view of the early 4th century presents a different picture. For Constantine never officially identified with Christianity; ancient structures and coins depict him as a sun-god ruler. His religious policy was primarily shaped by the pursuit of sole rule. There is no evidence of Christian influences on his decisions. Despite such findings, numerous German ancient historians maintain the image of the most Christian emperor. The fact that Constantine was baptized as an Arian "heretic" plays no role in their perception, nor do the testimonies that link the emperor to the sun god. The realization from symbol research that the cross was not yet considered a Christian symbol at the time of Constantine does not lead to a critical examination of reports from ecclesiastical sources. Instead of questioning when the heavenly "in this sign, conquer" was smuggled into ancient texts regarding the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, ancient historians still seriously discuss whether Constantine saw the cross in a dream or in reality. At that time, Christianity did not represent a unified spiritual force but presented itself as a bundle of fiercely competing confessions. It is neither the spiritual strength of the believers nor Constantine's convictions that allowed Christianity to rise to become the dominant religion in the Mediterranean region. It was only 50 years after the death of Constantine the Great that Emperor Theodosius enforced the new state religion—out of political calculation and by abolishing religious freedom.