Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel (beginning)

63 BCE

The Jews of of Judea rebelled against the Romans, this made them mad, the Romans attacked the Jewish kingdom and made then a roman province, emperor Gabinius reorganized Judea's government structure and spit it into 5 different administrative districts, this eliminated the age old system of toparchys.

Jesus of Nazareth

1 CE

Contrary to belief, Jesus's last name was in fact not Christ, ancient Jews often had their fathers name or name of origin. Christ stands for, the anointed one. Jesus attracted attention, and after his death, his followers believes that he lived on in spirit and body. He attracted Christianity through the world and converted others ad started a new religion called Christianity.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

The great fire of Rome was the result of Emperor Nero setting the City ablaze, because he did not want to be seen badly, he blamed the Christians, whose part of the city was not burnt because they prepared. This made the public very angry at the Christians but it also made them aware of the religion, the Christians, being innocent were outcasted from society and treated poorly by the public. They were afraid of the spreading religion because they saw it as a threat to their way of life.

Paul of Tarsus

65

Paul of Tarsus was a man that wanted to put all of the Christians to death. Yet he was one of the churches greatest saints, his real name was Saul, but he changed his name to Paul. His family were very faithful Jews and he went to school to study Jewish law, but when he got home he heard of the new messiah and tried to prosecute all of crusts followers, but this did not work and he became christian and got baptized and changed his name to begin his new life.

Perpetua

203

She was a christian noblewoman that lived with her family and slaves in Carthage. She was arrested on while taking a class in order to prepare for a baptism. Her father tried to rescue her and convince everyone that she was not christian, but she refused to be identified as anything other then christian.

The Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

After the Great Fire, the roman people and government hated the Christians, so they began to round them all up and kill them. They would tear apart families and torture them, many were even killed as entertainment to the consuls. Many thousands of Christians died. The emperor, Diocletian, attempted to stop this persecution but was unable to, Rome was left in a state of chaos. This also spread Christianity because many of the Christians were very faithful and willing to die for their religion.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

This battle was during the civil war in Rome over Christianity. It involved Constantine The Great, he was in command of one of the armies. Before the fight, he saw the sign of Christianity in the sky and saw it as an omen that he was being watched over. He ended up winning this battle, and to thank the god of Christians, he spread Christianity thought Rome and made all of his soldiers have the first two letters of Jesus Christs name in Greek.

Constantine The Great

312

Constantine was an emperor of Rome, before this, there was a civil war occurring in Rome. He had to fight a very important battle at Milvian Bridge, before this battle he was given an omen in a dream that said, "in the sign you will conquer." He then saw the symbol of Christianity in the sky, and saw it as a sign, he was victorious. He then became great leader, and to thank the god of Christians, he worshiped him and put the first two letters of Jesus Christ on the shields of his soldiers.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan gave Christians the right to worship their god and follow their religion without any consequence or hatred. This was good for Christians because i meant that they could openly practice and spread their religion. Not only could Christians follow their religion but it also allowed everyone to practice their religions freely. Without having to hide in the shadows, the Christians could freely spread their values and faith.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius was well known as a great emperor. He was the one that made Christianity the official religion of the roman church. He did not punish people for the destruction of old Hellenistic temples. He spread the religion thought the world and was a major influence to the expansion of Christianity.