Constantine, << KON stuhn `teen` or KON stuhn `tyn,` >> I (1868-1923), of Greece was king from 1913 to 1917 and 1920 to 1922. He succeeded his father, George I, who was assassinated. During World War I (1914-1918), Constantine pursued a policy of Greek neutrality. This activity brought him in conflict with the Greek prime minister, Eleutherios Venizelos, who favored the Allies. In 1916, Venizelos began a revolutionary movement that was supported by the Allies. Constantine was forced to leave Greece, which entered the war on the Allies’ side. His second son, Alexander I, became king. Alexander died in 1920, and the people voted to restore Constantine to the throne. In 1921, Greece went to war against the Ottoman Empire. Greece was defeated, and in 1922, the Greek military forced Constantine to give up the throne. His oldest son, George II, became king. Constantine was born on Aug. 2, 1868, in Athens. He died on Jan. 11, 1923. See also Greece (History).
