Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Isreal

57 BCE

The Romans managed their political, military, and fiscal affairs. They allowed them to keep their religious practices. This helped Chrisitany Spread in Rome.

Paul of Tarsus

4 BCE

He was one of the first Christian leaders during the first generation of Christians. Considered the second most important person in Christianity. He was one of the major figures in the Christian movement but also had many enemies. He had to establish his own worth and authority. His letters had a big effect on Christianity. Out of the 27 books in the New Testament, 13 are attributed to Paul.

Jesus of Nazareth

1 CE

Jesus is the foundation of Christianity. He was declared the son and conceived in the womb of a virgin named Mary by the Holy Spirit. It is said that he came to this world to offer us salvation and that he is God's sacrifice for our sins. The ministry of Jesus has messages abut living a righteous life and tells of trials that we all have to go through in our lives.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The great fire of Rome burned for six days destroying more than 70% of the city. 10 of Rome's 14 districts were burned. Historians blamed Rome's emperor, Nero, for starting the fires due in part to a historian saying that, while the fires were burning, Nero simply played the fiddle. Historians now don't blame Nero for the fires. Historians now believe that the fire was started due to a fire in one of their wooden apartment buildings, this making the fire spread quickly.

Perpetua

203

Little is known how Perpetua came to become a Christian but due to her diary, we know of her and another prisoner's last days. In prison, her pagan father visited her and told her just to deny that she was a Christian, in turn, she supposed stated, "Father do you see this vase here? Could it be called by any other name than what it is?" She refused to deny that she was a Christian and was thrown to the beasts and when she survived that they stabbed her killing her, her hand guiding the blade

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

303 to 313 CE. Diocletian and Galerius agreed to persecute the Christians to unify the Romans starting the Great persecution. Thousands of Christians were killed including many leaders. This was the darkest time for Christians. In 303, Diocletian outlawed Christian faith and worship. He compelled all citizens to worship the old gods and imprisoned or executed who didn't.

Constantine the Great

306

Time ruling:306 to 337 CE. Constantine came to power when a series of civil wars broke out. Later the four emperors of Rome fought in a battle against each other before this he had a vision of a cross in the sky with the words In Hoc Signo Vinces "in this sign, you will conquer" followed by a dream that made him believe in Christ due to him winning the battle after putting Chi-Rho (XP) on his shields (two letters in Christ's name). Due to this, he was prompted to spread Christianity.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was fought between Constantine and Maxentius and took place near the Milvian Bridge of the River Tiber. After the battle was fought it ended in a victory for Constantine making him emperor as well as him making Christianity an official religion of Rome.

Edict of Milan

313

A proclamation that stated that Christianity shall be tolerated in Rome. It was written/created by Constantine and Licinius in 313 and in June 313, in the East region of Rome, the proclamation gave the freedom of worship to all Romans and established Christians' legal rights. It also started the return of Christians' confiscated property.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Ruler of East: 379-392, Ruler of East & West: 392-395. Was born in Northwestern Spain. Established the creed of the Council of Nicaea, the universal norm for Christian orthodoxy. According to the Christians, Theodosius was emperor by the grace of God.