Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Edict of Milan

313 BCE

The Edict of Milan was what removed all restrictions and conditions against Christians and made Christianity legal in Rome. Christians were free to worship and do/ believe whatever they want. This is what helped Christianity spread throughout and past Rome.

Roman Rule of Israel

313 BCE

Israel was destroyed when Judah became controlled by Babylonians and wasn't a nation again until 1948. Israel was highly populated with Jews and was under control by the Roman Empire so they had to follow the laws of Rome. The Jews were given more palatable laws by the Roman Empire.

Perpetua

203 BCE

Perpetua was a woman who waqs thrown to beasts and was able to survive them, but then was executed was by a sword. Many believe that she wanted to be killed to be put at ease. Many people are inspired by her, which is how she became known and famous.

Paul of Tarsus

67 BCE

Paul wrote a large amount of the Testament and his letters are some of the earliest surviving literature. He was born Jewish but became Christian after seeing a vision of Jesus. Many people believe he was imprisoned and beheaded by Nero in Jerusalem.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus was born in the town Bethlehem. He was born Jewish, just like his mother Mary. He grew up in the town of Nazareth, where he was loved and appreciated for his kind gestures and everything he did. He sacrificed himself instead of others. He died on the cross and his spirit came back to create the religion of Christianity.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Nero's plan was to take down a third of Rome to build the Neropolis palaces but the Senate objected. He started a fire that raged and destroyed for 6 days until under control July 23. 10 of Rome's 14 districts were in ruin. Two thirds of Rome had been destroyed. Nero is blamed for the disaster implying that he started the fire so that he could bypass the senate to create Rome his own way and how he wanted it.

Constantine the Great

272

Constantine was the first Roman emperor to address Christianity. Many of the citizens did not agree with him, even though he was very liked by his people. He professed Christianity because of a message he saw in the sky that told him to follow the cross and that it would lead him to victory.

The Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The Great Persecution a.k.a. The Diocletian was the most severe, but last persecution of Christians of Rome. Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius, all emperors, demanded that they comply with traditional religious practices and they rescinded all Christians' rights.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The battle between Constantine and Maxentius, lead to Constantine victory and the appreciation of the gods of Christians. Constantine saw something in the sky with a cross near it, took it as a message and had a dream that told him he should use the sign of the cross to defeat his enemies and gain victory. He believed this was the reason Maxentius' men drowned before the battle and he defeated him, although some believe Maxentius cut the bridge when it collapsed.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius was a Roman emperor from 379 AD to 395 AD and was the last emperor to rule the Western and Eastern parts of Rome. He established Christianity as the state religion and defended Christianity against Arianism and Paganism. He also campaigned against barbarians and goths who attempted to invade the Roman Empire.