<human>:  Explain the importance of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge?
<bot>: The Battle of the Milvian Bridge was a critical turning point in Roman history in 312 AD and is remembered as the beginning of Constantine the Great's reign, who defeated his rival Maxentius's forces and assumed rule of the Western Roman Empire. The significance of this battle lies in the fact that Constantine was the first Roman emperor to overtly support the Christian faith and was responsible for implementing the Edict of Milan in 313 AD which proclaimed religious freedom across the Roman world. This historic battle not only resulted in Constantine's rule of the Roman Empire, but it also marked the beginning of Christianity's acceptance and eventual survival as a religion in Europe.