Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

63 BCE

When it was the year 4 Israel was under direct Roman rule this made many Jewish people very angered due to overthrow violence against them. Because of this there was a revolt in 66 CE. The Romans showed that they would not tolerate this by burning Jerusalem to the ground in 70 CE and defeating the last Jewish outpost at in 73 CE. Many Jews were sold as slaves and several perished.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus of Nazareth, commonly known as Jesus Christ was the founder of the religion Christianity. The word Christ comes from the Greek Christos which means the appointed one by God. He was said to have been born from the virgin Mary. He was baptised in the Jordan River and he began his own ministry. Throughout his life he spread his message of the Christian faith in Judea to the poorest people.

Great Fire of Rome

64

Nero used the fire as a political advantage because the Christian homes of Rome were not burned he blamed them. He
wanted to stop the growing influence of Christianity. Because of this he burned, tortured, and executed many Christians.
Nero would have Christians participate in gladiator matches and have some get fed to lions and other vicious beasts.

Paul of Tarsus

65

Paul of Tarsus commonly known as Saint Paul was outraged by the Christian Religion spreading and began to persecute the so called "Christians". It is said that he was struck with a blinding light and received a message from God. He was told to convert to the religion and be baptized. Once he was baptized he traveled all across the country spreading the message of Jesus Christ. He wrote letters as well which are called epistles today. Paul died on the account of Emperor Nero in the year 65.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua was a Christian noblewoman who lived with her family in Carthage. The Emperor of this time named Emperor Septimius Severus and he was determined to expel Christianity to the Empire because he felt it threatened the common Roman religion. Perpetua was one of the first Christians to get arrested for taking classes to prepare for a Baptism. Her father told he to simply deny she was a Christian but she claimed that she shouldn't be called anything other than what she was.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

One of the most severe persecutions of Christians and the last
Emperors got together and created a series of edicts that stripped the Christians of their rights and forced them to practice the common religion. Forced the Christians to sacrifice to the Gods even though it was against the Christian religion. Christians were subjected to discrimination, torture, imprisonment, and many people set Christian homes on fire during this time.

The Battle of Milivian

312

This battle was between Constantine and Maxentius. This battle was one of the turning points that caused Constantine's effort to convert the Roman Empire to Christianity. Before the battle Constantine claimed to have a vision sent from God. He had his soldiers put the first two letters of Christ's name in Greek on their shields. When Constantine won the battle he claimed that it was because of Christ's help and that he was indebted to him.

Constantine the Great

313

First Roman Emperor to profess Christianity. He protected the religion or Christianity and was able to help spread the religion
He had a vision before a battle and ordered a Christian symbol on his soldier’s shield. When he won the battle he became the Western Roman Emperor. He gave the Christians a statues in the city by issuing the Edict of Milan. It helped the Christians practice their religion freely.

Edict of Milan

313

This was an agreement that shifted Christianity from being a persecuted religion to one that was widely accepted and soon dominated Rome. After the Great Persecution had failed Constantine and Licinius (the two Greek Emperors of the time) worked to do what was best for the Empire. They decided on guaranteeing religious freedom for all so that the Christians could practice their religion. This marked a huge shift in the rise of Christianity in Rome.

Emperor Theodosius

380

He was a Roman Emperor who wanted a unity of faith throughout the Empire. When he had a serious illness he accepted a Christian Baptism. In 380 he proclaimed himself a Christian. He tried to “turn the tables” by persecuting heretics and pagans. In 391 he had forbidden pagan temples and worship. He also took away Constantine's "Edict of Milan".