Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth-- STARTING DATE- 6-4 BC ENDING DATE- 30-36 AD

4 BCE

Gospels say the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist marked the beginning of His public ministry.Jesus did at least 35 miracles that were recorded in the bible. He healed the sick,blind, lepers and he raised people from the dead. The New Testament records people's amazement at the teachings of Jesus. Although Jesus suffered from His enemies. He was arrested, beaten, and nailed to a cross after the Jewish leaders handed Him over for a death sentence at the approval of the Roman leader Pilate.

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)-- STARTING DATE- 27 BC ENDING DATE- 476 AD

27

There were interactions of Jews and Romans during the period of the Roman Empire. Their cultures began to overlap and collide just before the Christian Era. The Roman general Pompey in his campaign established the Roman province of Syria and then conquered Jerusalem. Christianity soon developed from Second Temple Judaism. The Christian emperors persecuted their Jewish subjects and restricted their rights.

Paul of Tarsus-- STARTING DATE- 40 CE ENDING DATE- 64 CE

40

Paul of Tarsus traveled tens of thousands of miles around the Mediterranean spreading the word of Jesus and he also came up with the doctrine that would change Christianity from a small part of Judaism into a worldwide faith that was open to all. He is one of the main building blocks of Christianity. He wrote many letters during his journeys that are now in the Christian bible.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The shops lining the Circus Maximus were set on fire.Nero decided that he would place the blame on scapegoats (Christians), because there was a rumor that Nero himself had ordered the fire in order to ruin the city, to make space for his new building plans. Emperor Nero was blamed the fire and devastation on the Christian community in the city,starting the empire's first persecution against the Christians.Nero also arrested a bunch of Christians and burned them alive.ENDING DATE-July 23rd 64 A.D

Perpetua-- STARTING DATE- 198 AD ENDING DATE- 203 AD

198

Perpetua was a Christian martyr. She was a nursing mother who wrote down the reasons for her arrest and imprisonment. She wanted to renounce her faith because she had dreams of fighting the devil and winning a crown from God. She and her servant Felicity were thrown to beasts and survived but then killed by swords. The display of her death and her expectation of eternal affected those watching and would then spread in written form for converts to read and become inspired to follow Jesus.

Great Persecution-- STARTING DATE- 303 CE ENDING DATE- 313 CE

303

The Great Persecution started when emperor Diocletian and one of his tetrarchs Galerius agreed to persecute all Christians because he wanted to reunify the empire and that meant they all had to share a belief in the same Gods. Christians were forced to sacrifice to Roman gods or be in prison and/or be executed. Several thousand Christians and Christian leaders were killed. Christians were able to survive the trying times and triumph.

Constantine the Great-- STARTING DATE- 306 A.D ENDING DATE- 337 A.D

306

Constantine the Great was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. Constantine had a huge role in the proclamation of the Edict of Milan in 313, which command tolerance for Christianity.Some scholars say that his objective was to gain approval to his authority from all classes. Constantine's decision to stop the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire was a huge turning point for early Christianity, this turning point is often referred to as the Triumph of the Church.

Battle of Milvian Bridge-- STARTING DATE- 312 AD ENDING DATE- 312 AD

312

This battle was between the Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. Constantine won the battle and ended the Tetrarchy and become the ruler of the Roman Empire. He also went on to create the Edict of Milan shortly after the battle. This battle marks the beginning of Constantine converting to Christianity. Constantine had a vision before which led him to fight under the protection of the Christian God. He won the battle and he believed the reason he won that battle was because of God.

Edict of Milan-- STARTING DATE- 313 AD

313

The Edict of Milan was a letter signed by the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius, that declare religious toleration in the Roman Empire.The Edict of Milan stopped the persecution of Christians, made Christainity legal, and removed all restrictions on Christan worship. Licinius eventually rearranged the Edict of Milan. The Edict of Milan allowed Constantine to create a new capital city, Constantinople, which he filled with churches and was dedicated to the Christain God.

Emperor Theodosius-- STARTING DATE- 380 CE ENDING DATE- 395 CE

380

Emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Christianity, the official religion of the Roman Empire. He stopped all the Christian persecution. He also gave the Christians a temple in Jerusalem. Theodosius also helped to shape the nature of this religion. Theodosius was involved in dictating paganism and he did a lot to destroy the ancient religions of the Roman Empire.