Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

4

1. Was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader.
2. Modern scholars mostly all agree that Jesus actually existed historically.
3. he was turned into Roman authorities and crucified, where he died.
4. After his death, his followers believed he rose from the dead and formed a community that came to be known as the early Church.
5. His hometown was Nazareth, Galilee.

Paul of Tarsus

5

1. Is considered the second most important person next to Jesus in Christianity.
2. Traveled tens of thousands of miles around the Mediterranean spreading the word of Jesus.
3. He was born in Tarsus, Turkey.
4. His Jewish name was Saul of Tarsus.
5. He founded organizations like Church of Greece.

Roman Rule of Israel (Begins)

64

1. During the new Testament era, the Roman Empire ruled most of the known world.
2. Israel was under Roman rule due to the fact the Rome had overcome the region from Syria.
3. Israel's location was strategical, it meant Rome was able to move freely between the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
4. Rome allowed Israel to continue practicing their own religion if they obeyed Roman rule, paid their taxes, and kept their peace.
5. The arrangement was considered a shrewd psychological move.
   

Great Fire of Rome

64

1. The fire began around Circus Maximus.
2. The aftermath of the fire destroyed 2/3 of Rome.
3. Emperor Nero blamed the fire on the Christians leading to the first persecution (against Christians).
4. What fueled the fire was the flammable items in the merchant shops around Circus Maximus and the weather conditions: wind.
5. There were rumors that Emperor Nero himself started the fire.

Perpetua

181

1. She was a martyr for her belief in Christianity.
2. Martyr were highly considered by Christians, and helped strengthen and grow numbers in the church.
3. She was only 22 years old when she died.
4. Perpetua means lasting from Latin origin.
5. Matyrs were considered saints and remains of Martyrs were used as relics in shrines.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

1. The last and most severe of the persecutions against the Christians.
2. The persecution varied in intensity in different parts of the empire; the weakest in Gaul and Britain.
3. Constantine and Licinius's Edict of Milan was technically the end of the persecution.
4. Christians were expected to comply with Roman religious customs.
5. Christians were described as "odd creatures": not quite Roman and not quite barbarian.

Battle of the Milvian Bridge

312

1. The battle was between two emperors at the time, Constantine and Maxentius.
2. Took place in Ponte Milvio, Rome.
3. Constantine won the battle.
4. Constantine ended the Tetarchy and became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire.
5. Constantine saw avision of a cross instead of the letters of Christ.

Edict of Milan

313

1. Declared Christianity legal in the Roman Empire.
2. Permanently established toleration for Christianity.
3. Constantine and Licinius issued the Edict of Milan.
4. Made it safer for the Christians to practice their religion.
5. it was an outcome of a political agreement.

Constantine The Great

324

1. He restructured the government by separating civil and military authorities.
2. He introduced the solidus, a gold coin used to combat inflation. It became the standard for Byzantine and European currencies.
3. He was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity.
4. Some modern scholars have debated his beliefs and comprehension on the Christian faith itself.
5. He was originally named Flavius Valerius Constantinus

Emperor Theodosius

379

1. Last emperor to rule over the Eastern and Western helves of the Roman Empire.
2. He solved the Gothic problem.
3. He made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
4. He died suffering from a disease.
5. He banned the Olympics.