Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Constantine the Great

305 BCE

Christianity began to transition to the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. Historians remain uncertain about Constantine's reasons for favoring Christianity, and theologians and historians have often argued about which form of early Christianity he subscribed to. He adopted his mother Helena's Christianity in his youth, or, as claimed by Eusebius, encouraged her to convert to the faith himself. He also helped win the war with believing in his dreams.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus of Nazareth was the first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the central figure of Christianity. Most Chistanins believe he is the incarnation of God of Sun.

Paul of Tarsus

5

Paul the Apostle, commonly known as Saint Paul and also known by his Jewish name Saul of Tarsus, was an apostle who taught the gospel of Christ to the first-century world. Also, he founded several churches in Asia Minor and Europe. He is one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians, often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity.

Great Fire of Rome

170

Emperor Nero for initiated the fire or credit him with organizing measures to contain it and provide relief for refugees. According to Tacitus and later Christians, Nero blamed the devastation on the Christian community in the city, initiating the empire's first persecution against the Christians.

Perpetua

300

Perpetua was a Christian noblewoman who, at the turn of the third century, lived with her husband, her son, and her slave, Felicitas, in Carthage.

Great Persecution

303

The Diocletianic or Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. In 303, the Emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding Christians' legal rights and demanding that they comply with traditional religious practices.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. Constantine won the battle and started on the path that led him to end the Tetrarchy. Maxentius drowned in the Tiber during the battle; his body was later taken from the river and decapitated, and his head was paraded through the streets of Rome on the day following the battle. The battle marked the beginning of Constantine's conversion to Christianity.

Edict of Milan

313

Edict of Milan, a proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Milan between the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius.

Roman Rule of Israel

313

A last attempt to restore the former glory of the Hasmonean dynasty was made by Mattathias Antigonus, whose defeat and death brought Hasmonean rule to an end. The overwhelming power of the Romans, the outcome was inevitable. Three years later, in conformity with Roman custom, Jerusalem was "plowed up with a yoke of oxen," Judea was renamed Palaestinia and Jerusalem, Aelia Capitolina.

Emperor Theodosius

381

Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which granted Christianity as well as most other religions legal status. Emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Christianity, specifically Nicene Christianity, the official religion of the Roman Empire. On accepting his elevation, he campaigned against Goths and other barbarians who had invaded the empire. He also issued decrees that effectively made Nicene Christianity the official state church of the Roman Empire.