Rise of Christianity in Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel

40 BCE

A last attempt to restore the former glory of the Hasmonean dynasty was made by Mattathias Antigonus, whose defeat and death brought Hasmonean rule to an end, and the Land became a province of the Roman Empire. In 37 BCE, Herod, a son-in-law of Hyrcanus II, was appointed King of Judea by the Romans. A last brief period of Jewish sovereignty in ancient times followed the revolt of Shimon Bar Kokhba (132 CE), during which Jerusalem and Judea were regained. Israel was ruled completely by Rome.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus taught people in small groups or large gatherings; his lessons are reported in friendly conversations or in arguments with those who challenged him. At times he made a particularly vivid comment in the midst of a dramatic incident. He was born 4 B.C.E in Bethlehem and was quickly brought to attention in Rome. His existence generated Christianity as he is the "son" of God. He was crucified and died in 30 AD but his name and religion of Christianity continued in Rome.

Paul of Tarsus

4 BCE

Paul of Tarsus (AKA Paul the Apostle), commonly known as Saint Paul and also known by his Jewish name Saul of Tarsus, was an apostle who taught the gospel of Christ to the first-century world. He was Jewish and part Christian and was a major building block to the generation of Christianity. He had first persecuted Jesus, until meeting him and not long after changing his beliefs. He soon traveled countries telling people about Jesus.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The night of July 19th, 64 A.D. a fire arose in Rome along the shops lining the Circus Maximus. The population was 2 million and this fire became devastating. The fire raged for 6 days, calmed then re-ignited for another 3 days straight. This cleared 10 of 14 districts in Rome. History says that Nero, the emperor at the time set fire to Rome to rebuild how he likes while blaming the Christians for it.The fire was officially put out on July 28th, 64 A.D.

Perpetua

181

The Passion of Saint Perpetua, Saint Felicitas, and their Companions is one of the oldest and most wise early Christian texts. It still stands in both Latin and Greek forms, and purports to contain the actual prison diary of the young mother and martyr Perpetua. She was a slave and wrote this with her pregnant companion. She was born 181 AD and died March 7, 203 AD. This diary tells of her beliefs and how she spread them, though in pain she still followed Jesus.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The Diocletianic or Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. In 303, the Emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constanius issued a series of edicts taking away Christians' legal rights and demanding that they agree with and use traditional religious practices. This final persecution killed thousands of Christians. It ended in the year of 311 A.D.

Constantine the Great

306

Constantine the Great, also known as Constantine I, was a Roman Emperor who ruled between 306 and 337 AD. Emperor Constantine the Great caused Christianity to be the most known and practiced religion. 313 AD Constantine defeated Licinius(Emperor of Milan) causing the Edict of Milan. This allowed Christianity to be practiced and used. He fully legalized Christianity and built a capital in the East called Constantinople and was dedicated to Christianity.

Edict Of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was a letter or treaty signed by the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius, that stated religious toleration in the Roman Empire. The letter was issued in February, 313 AD, shortly after the emperor Diocletian and stopped the unfair treatment of Christians.Was a proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement an helped Christianity grow rapidly around the world.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

324

Galerius died in AD 311 and early the next year Constantine invaded Italy. Maxentius came out to fight and was destroyed at the Milvian Bridge, which carried the Via Flaminia over the Tiber into the city. The battle was one of the most successful of victories that in AD 324 made Constantine master of the entire Roman Empire, but it is most famous for his link with his conversion to Christianity, which would prove to be one of the most important events in world history. Start of Christianity.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius I, also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman Emperor from AD 379 to AD 395, as the last emperor to rule over both the eastern and the western halves of the Roman Empire. On accepting his elevation, he campaigned against Goths and other barbarians who had invaded the empire.Early in his reign, during a serious illness, Theodosius had accepted Christian baptism. In 380 he proclaimed himself a Christian of the Nicene Creed.