Rise of Christianity

Jesus of Nazareth

6 BCE

-First century Jewish preacher
-Religious leader
-Central figure of Christianity
-Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited Messiah

Paul of Tarsus

4 BCE

-Second important founder of Christianity
-Commonly known as St. Paul
-Dedicated persecuting the early principles of Jesus in the area of Jerusalem
-Spent part of his career rooting out Jewish Christian communities and persecuted them

The Great Fire of Rome

64

-Lasted 6 days & burned 65% or city
-Blamed the Christians
-Initiated the emperors first persecution of Christians

Perpetua

203

-Had dreams and visions about God
-Killed because she had her own beliefs and didn't follow the decree of emperor Septimius Severus

Great Persecution

303

-Last persecution
-Most severe persecution
-Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, Constantius, issued series of edicts that took away Christians' legal rights

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

-Constantine won it lead him to being sole ruler of Roman Empire
-Marked beginning of Constantine's conversion to Christianity

Constantine the Great

313

-first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity
-Constantine and Licinius made the Edict of Milan
-Edict said Christians could believe what they want

Edict of Milan

313

-Proclamation that permanently allowed religious toleration for Christianity
-Letter signed by Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius
-Shortly after it was issued emperor Diocletian stopped unfair treatment of Christians

Roman Rule of Israel

313

-Jerusalem burnt to the ground and destroyed all temples
-People of Jerusalem were forced to settle somewhere else
-There was a set of wars between Romans and Jews
-Around one million Jews lost their lives

Emperor Theodosius

380

-In 380 he proclaimed himself a Christian
-Used his power to enforce orthodox Christianity
-Accepted Christian baptism