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40 BCE
Roman Rule of Israel - Source: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/roman-rule-63bce-313ce
When the Romans became the main power of the region, the Hasmonean king was given restricted power under the Roman governor Damascus. The land became a province of the Roman Empire in 40 BCE with a failed attempt to restore the Hasmonean rule. Rome appointed new king Herod in 37 BCE, who became one of the most powerful monarchs in east Rome, yet never really got support. 10 years after Herod’s death, suppression of the Jews led to a major revolt in 66 CE, but the Romans were still victorious. -
33
Jesus of Nazareth - Sources: https://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/jesus.html & https://www.biblicalfoundations.org/when-was-jesus-born-and-when-did-he-die/
New word of a kingdom greater than Rome ruled by a merciful God enraged the religious leaders of Rome, but excited many people. The idea that Jesus was the son of God offended many, and the ideas Jesus spoke of were revolutionary yet threatening to years of social tradition. Because of this, Jesus was arrested and crucified on April 3, 33 CE on account of treason. Christians thought of Jesus as a martyr as opposed to a criminal, this difference in viewpoints caused Judea to become more unstable. -
35
Paul of Tarsus - Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paul-the-Apostle
Paul also had a vision, he records that the Lord revealed himself as a blinding light. Paul had spent a lot of his life persecuting the Christian movement until his vision. For the next 20 years-- from the mid-30’s to mid-50's, he would establish many churches in Asia minor and Europe. When he returned to Jerusalem in the mid-50’s, Paul was arrested for taking a Gentile too far into a Temple, so he was exiled to Rome, where it is assumed he was executed as a part of Nero’s persecution in 64 CE. -
64
The Great Fire of Rome - Source: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/great-fire-rome-background/1446/
As emperor, one of his biggest ambitions was to tear down ⅓ of the city of Rome, and Nero would build a series of palaces and temples, Neropolis. Fire breaks out along shops at the Circus Maximus the night of July 19, 64 CE. Knowing this would happen, Nero was far away in an Antium resort. The fire raged for six days, and once the flames were under control, it sparked again to engulfed more for another three. When the smoke revealed the damage, the fire had engulfed ⅔ of Rome. -
203
The Martyr Perpetua - Source: www.saylor.org/courses/hist101/#6.4.3 - Article: Christianity and the Roman Empire
The courage of Perpetua was greatly admired. She believed so strongly that God above her would provide eternal life that she guided the sword in hand of the executioner. Perpetua and her slave Felicity, new mothers, were arrested for their faith. Perpetua’s accounts describe her father’s ideas, saying she could be freed by renouncing her faith. Perpetua had many dreams with the holy spirit. Perpetua and Felicity survived a throw to the beasts, but on March 7, 203 CE, Perpetua was executed. -
303
The Great Persecution of 303 CE - Sources: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia &_romana/hispania/diocletian.html https://www.christian-history.org/diocletian.html & www.saylor.org/courses/hist101/#6.4.3 - Christians and the Roman Empire
The Great Persecution started with the reign of Diocletian and one of his tetrarchs Galerius, and their idea of unifying the Roman empire in one belief, a belief in paganism again. The persecution ended in 311 AD when Galerius suffered from disease and turned to the Christian faith, but this did not reverse the several thousand Christians killed, churches destroyed, and scriptures burned in this empire-wide persecution, but the Christians prospered. -
312
Battle at Milvian Bridge - Source: http://library.missouri.edu/news/special-collections/the-battle-of-milvian-bridge-and-the-history-of-the-book
On October 28, 312 CE, the first battle Constantine’s soldiers had God on their side, Constantine and his army proceeded to win another victory over Maxentius and his forces. The battle of Milvian Bridge was part of the civil war in Rome, which was fueled by the appointing of new successors Constantine and Maxentius. In this battle, the army of Maxentius tried to retreat, but Milvian Bridge, leading across the Tiber, overcrowded quickly, and the broken bridge hurtled many into the raging river. -
312
Constantine the Great - Source: www.saylor.org/courses/hist101/#6.4.3 - Article: Christianity and the Roman Empire
In 312 CE, Constantine had a vision that would change Christians’ lives forever. The largely persecuted faith soon became the most followed faith on Earth with help from a great emperor. Constantine followed his visions’ directions and had success in doing so. Constantine became emperor in the beginning of the fourth century during the civil war. Believing the intervention of God was the reason for victory, Constantine legalized Christianity and would then construct the city of Constantinople. -
313
Edict of Milan - Source: www.saylor.org/courses/hist101/#6.4.3 - Article: Christianity and the Roman Empire
The Edict of Milan was issued after Constantine’s many victories after coming to faith. Constantine met with Licinius in 313 CE to pass the edict, it took all restrictions off Christian worship, gave confiscated land back, and made Christianity and other religions legal. Later, conflict over power between the two caused Licinius to “take back” the Edict of Milan. This did not last though, Constantine later defeated Licinius, allowing Christianity to grow into the most largely followed faith. -
380
Emperor Theodosius - Source: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14577d.htm
Theodosius had many honors in the military, and although his term as emperor would end earlier than expected, he became co-emperor to Gratian and would lead Eastern Rome. Theodosius helped make peace in the Gothic war, and was credited to repressing the last of the Pagans, and many Arians, huns, and vandals. He was baptized and enjoyed further pursuing his Catholic faith. In February of 380 CE, Theodosius and Gratian published an edict saying all subjects must follow the religion of the Bishops.
