Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

The old Roman dating system was gradually replaced by a new system in which the main reference point was the birth of Jesus. All Christians looked to him as their Messiah. Very influential to everyone that meet him and made many speeches. Lead a bunch of people to Christianity. Death 30AD

Roman Rule of Israel

63

The Christian emperors persecuted their Jewish subjects and restricted their rights. The Romans destroyed much of the Temple in Jerusalem. Many Christians spread out all over the Roman Empire, taking the gospel with them and widespread persecution by the Romans did not occur until the time of Nero .

Great Fire of Rome

64

Used the Christians as scapegoats to get out of starting the fire. They killed as many as they could find. The first of the persecutions of the Christians. Made Christians even more unpopular. Ended July 23 64 AD

Paul of Tarsus

67

Paul was one of the main people who made Christianity a universal religion. Wrote 13 books of the bible. Traveled thousands of mile spreading Christianity. Inspired tons of Christian. Killed by Nero 67 AD

Perpetua

203

Her death, an ordeal that so impressed the famous Augustine that he preached four sermons about her death. Refused to sacrifice to foreign gods. Then didn't fight back. Forced the guys blade because she knew what she was going to have after death. Convicted lots of people watching.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

Emperors issued a series of edicts rescinding Christians' legal rights and demanding that they comply with traditional religious practices. Later edicts targeted the clergy and demanded universal sacrifice, ordering all inhabitants to sacrifice to the gods. Christians were compelled to sacrifice to pagan gods or face imprisonment and execution. One emperor Diocletian, purged the army of Christians.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

Constantine I as sole ruler of the Roman Empire after the battle and Christianity established as the empire’s official religion. In the battle, he ordered his men to paint crosses upon their shields. They then marched into war, accordingly, as "Christian soldiers." Later after he became emperor he made the edict of Malian.

Constantine the Great

313

Issued the Edict of Milan. He became a great patron of the Church and set a precedent for the position of the Christian emperor within the Church. Constantine made clear that he believed that he owed his successes to the protection of that High God alone.Constantine commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol, and thereafter they were victorious.

Edict of Milan

313

Gave Christians all their rights back and property that was taken. Took away the negative vibe towards Christians over time because it was encouraged not persecuted. Permanently granted freedom for Christians. Emperors approval paved way for rapid spread throughout Rome and Europe.

Emperor Theodosius

381

He established Christianity as the state religion and successfully defended it against paganism and Arianism. He had decreed that all religious and others accept the Trinity. He organized the Council of Constantinople, where 150 eastern bishops attested to the divinity of the Holy Spirit and the Son of God. He was baptized in 380, after a severe illness and near death