Constantines

Constantines can refer to more than one topic, most commonly a Canadian indie rock band and a group of historical figures named Constantine. This article provides brief overviews of the two primary uses.

The Constantines is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1999 in Hamilton, Ontario. The group is known for a raw, guitar-driven sound that blends post-punk energy with indie rock sensibilities. Their discography spans the early to mid-2000s and includes several albums released on independent labels, with touring and international appearances helping to expand their profile. The lineup has seen changes over the years, with Bryan Webb serving as a long-standing frontman. The Constantines are regarded as influential within the Canadian indie scene for their collaborative approach and energetic live performances.

The term also refers to individuals named Constantine, with “Constantines” used to describe multiple figures bearing the given name. The most prominent is Constantine I, commonly known as Constantine the Great, a Roman emperor noted for endorsing Christianity and for its long-term impact on the empire, including the establishment of Constantinople. In the following centuries, several other emperors and rulers in the Byzantine and late Roman periods bore the name Constantine, such as Constantine II and Constantine III. In religious and historical writing, the Constantines may thus denote a set of figures who shared the name and played roles in late antiquity and the early medieval era.