Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

The Beginning of Roman Rule over Israel

63 BCE

The Romans had rule over Israel from 63 BCE all the way up to 313. By 4 BCE Judea was completely under Roman rule which frustrated the Jews because it created violence against them. Due to all of this, the Jews revolted in 66, and as a result of their revolt, the Romans burned Jerusalem to ashes in the year 70. Many Jews were eventually sold as slaves after this. Even though so much of Israel changed from names of cities to rule, Judaism lived through it all.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus was born to Virgin Mary in a small barn in Bethlehem. There are many holidays for Jesus. For example, Christmas was his birthday, Easter was his resurrection(he has risen), and finally, his death is Good Friday. In his lifetime he was arresyed by the Jewish Authorities, and he was taken by the Romans to get crucified(30) and then he later died in year 33. There was a group of people that believed he had risen after he died, and then they were believed to form the first Christian Church.

Paul of Tarsus

64

There is speculation of when Paul of Tarsus died between year 64 or 67. He was very unique because he was a Roman Citizen, but he was Jewish at the same time. He is very well known because he built a lot of churches in Asia Minor. Almost half of the New Testaments have been believed to have been written by Paul of Tarsus, they are very well known because they embrace both eastern and western cultures.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

This fire broke out in the year 64, and it destroyed 65% of Rome. We still do not know if the Roman empire, Nero, meant to start the fire, but we do know that he used the fire to grow his political agenda. Since most of Rome was burnt, but the Christians are was not they were blamed for the fire that lasted from July 18th, 64 til July 23, 64

Perpetua

203

She was also known as Vibia Perpetua, and she was a Christian Martyr in the third century. She showed braveness and faith because she admitted that she was Christian and she refused to leave her child. She lived in the same time thatEmperor Septimus Severus did, and he wanted to destroy Christianity in Northern Africa, and that is where she lived.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

This was the last Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. These persecutions were executed by emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius. This was the worst persecution because the Christians were thrown into the Coliseum to be burned on crosses, or they would be ripped to shreds by lions. These horrible events actually entertained some Romans.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

This battle was fought between Constantine I and Maxementius. This battle was named after an important route over the Tiber river. Constantine had won the battle, and he dedicated the win to the Christian vision. Constatine had said a famous saying, "in hoc signo vinces" which in English means, "in this sign, you shall conquer"

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan enabled freedom for Christianity in Rome. It was signed by Constantine I and Licinius. Nobody knows the exact words from the original document, because we only have slivers of it.

Constantine the Great

337

After Constantine's thirty-one years of rule over Rome, he died in the year 337. He was the very first Roman Ruler to allow the Christian religion in Rome. He created the Edict of Milan with the ruler of Balkans, Licinius, which allowed Christians. While he was the ruler, he strengthened the military, social, and financial reforms.

Emperor Theodosius

395

He was the very last emperor to rule the Roman Kingdom. During his rule, he made Christianity the state religion. He fought against the Gauls and Barbarians, but do to a lack of resources, it ended in a stalemate. He later died from edema which is when your cells swell.