Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

The Beginning of Roman Rule of Israel

63 BCE

Julius Caesar made Judaism a legal and tolerated religion that they allowed to be worshiped and practiced. Pompey who was a Roman general was the main force that helped take over Isreal.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus of Nazareth was a religious leader who became a central figure in Christianity, regarded by most Christian believers and Churches and God himself in a body who came down from the heavens in order to rid the world of the human's sins.

Paul of Tarsus

34

Paul of Tarsus was converted on the road to Damascus into Christianity, when he accepted this new great religion he traveled tens of thousands of miles around the Mediterranean spreading the Christian religion. It was Paul of Tarsus who came up with the doctrine that would turn Christianity from a small section of Judaism into a worldwide faith that was open to all people.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

During the Great Fire of Rome and after it the Christians were blamed for the fire because they wanted their religion to lead the region but they were framed because they were easy scapegoats since they were hated by most.This fire that lasted 6 whole days and burnt down about 65% of Rome led to the Christians being prosecuted and hated for years,

Perpetua

203

Was a Christian noblewoman who's family and father did not see her point of view as being a Christian. When the emperor at the time began prosecuting more Christians she went willingly but when all odds seemed against she stayed faithful to her God. This portrayed the Christian religion as strong and resilient.

Great Persecution of The Christians

303

People and the government were upset with the Christians for the Great Fire of Rome and other things they were blamed for like any inconveniences that happened in Rome were automatically blamed on the Christians because it was easy to do so. This hatred and dislike led to the taking away of legal rights and tolerance of religious activity and practice, they demanded they follow traditional religious activity and if they didn't they would face prosecution, prison, or death in the Colosseum.

Constantine the Great

312

The day before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge before the battle began Constantine was walking with his troops when we saw a cross in the sky over the sun he saw this as a sign that the Christian God as on his side. Later that night he had a dream saying he would be successful if he let the God of Christians guide him. The next day he painted the Christian symbol onto all of his troops shields, when he won he attributed it to the Christian God and had a new found love for the Christian religion

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The day before the Battle of Milvian Bridge Constantine the Great was surveying the land before the battle with his troops and sees in the sky above the sun the cross or the symbol of Christ in the Christian religion That night he had a dream saying Christ would guide him in battle. He then painted the Christian symbol on his troops shields and went into battle. He came out the the battle with an outstanding victory and he attributed this to the Christian God and religion.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was a contract or letter made by Constantine the Great and Licinius stating Rome's newfound tolerance of all religious tolerance of practice and meeting. This new agreement or law effected the Christians because it was no longer lawfully correct to prosecute or not let them practice their religion freely anymore. This is what mainly allowed Christianity to spread without the constant hate and prosecution.

Emperor Theodosius

380

Theodosius the Great was the last Roman Emperor to rule a united Empire of Rome. He established Christianity as the official religion of the Rome region and successfully defended it against Paganism and Arianism and other religions that were still trying to take control of the dying empire.