Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

6 BCE

Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the central figure of Christianity. Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. After his death, his followers believed he rose from the dead, and the community they formed became the early Church. Chrisitans today beieve that without Jesus' death on the cross for our sins, no one would have eternal life.

Paul of Tarsus

4 BCE

Paul of Tarsus is the second important founder of Christianity. He was one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians. Even though he was a young contemporary of Jesus of Nazareth, he had never met him. He spent part of his early career rooting out Jewish Christian communities and prosecuting them. He underwent a vision and converted to the new religion. He brought an energy and creativity that soon made him the most prominent leader in the new movement.

Roman Rule of Israel

63

Jews migrated to Rome and Roman Europe from the Land of Israel, Asia Minor, Babylon and Alexandria due to economic hardship and warfare over the land of Israel between the Ptolemaic and Seleucid empires. In Rome, Jewish communities enjoyed privileges and thrived economically, becoming a significant part of the Empire's population. The Roman general Pompey in his eastern campaign established the Roman province of Syria in 64 BC and conquered Jerusalem in 63 BC.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

During the Great Fire of Rome, 65% of Rome was burned over the course of 6 days. Nero, an emperor, cracked down on the Christians of the City. He had some Christians thrown to the beasts, and he had others burned alive. He supposedly burned some in his garden to act as torches at night. According to Tacitus and later Christians, Nero blamed the devastation on the Christian community in the city, initiating the empire's first persecution against the Christians

Perpetua

182

Vibia Perpetua was a married noblewoman, said to have been 22 years old at the time of her death. She lived with her husband, her son, and her slave, Felicitas, in Carthage. When Emperor Septimius Severus determined to cripple Christianity, he focused his attention on North Africa. Perpetua was one of the five new Christians taking classes to prepare for baptism. Her and Felicitas were put to death along with others at Carthage in the Roman province of Africa.

Great Persecution of 303

303

The Diocletianic or Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Diocletian and one of his tetrarchs, Galerius, agreed to persecute Christians as a part of their plan to reunify the empire which started with everyone believing in the same gods. Several thousand Christians were killed. Constantine and Licinius's Edict of Milan officially marked the end of the persecution. Despite all of this, the religion was still able to survive and thrive

Constantine the Great

306

Under Emperor Constantine the Great, Christianity went from a persecuted faith to the most important religion in the Roman Empire. Constantine first came to power when a series of civil wars at the beginning of the fourth century. Constantine formed the Edict of Milan with Licinius which made Christianity legal. Constantine's Christianity changed over the course of his life as he became more knowledgeable about the religion. Constantine is best known for being the first Christian Roman Emperor.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

Marching on Rome, Constantine prepared to do battle with his rival’s forces where they were waiting beside the River Tiber at the Milvian Bridge. He is said to have seen a cross in the sky, and a message written out: In Hoc Signo Vinces, "In this sign, you will conquer." Later, he had a dream in which he was told to put the labarum the shields of his soldiers. Constantine won the battle and which led him to the path to end the Tetrarchy and become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire.

Edict of Milan

313

Constantine met with Licinius because Constantine believed that he had been helped by the intervention of Christ. Licinius was the eastern emperor at Milan. They met together and issued the Edict of Milan. The Edict of Milan made Christianity legal, removed all restriction of Christian worship, and returned all property taken from the Christians during the Great Persecution. Licinius eventually contradicted on the Edict of Milan when he came into conflict with Constantine.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius the Great was the last Roman Emperor to rule a united Roman Empire. He established Christianity as the state religion and defended the religion against paganism and Arianism. Emperor Thoedosius pacified the Goths, left a famous example of penitence for a crime, and reigned as a just and mighty Catholic emperor.He founded a dynasty which ruled in the east and west until around 450 and 455.