Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel Begins

37 BCE

The Roman rule over Israel began in 40 BCE after Mattathias Antigonus's death. He was in charge of Hasmonean rule and tried to make one last attempt to restore glory back to the dynasty, but was defeated and died. Then the land became a province of the roman Empire, and in 37 BCE the son in law of Hyracanus II was made king of Judea by Rome and his name was Herod. There was fights in the siege of Jerusalem, and many Jews perished or were enslaved by Rome.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

The birth of Jesus Christ (Jesus of Nazareth) was around the time of 4 BC and died somewhere in AD 30-33. He was a Jewish preacher/leader during the first century and is a important figure of Christianity. Believed to be the incarnation of God the son and the awaited messiah that was in the Old Testament. He was arrested by Jewish authorities, and handed over to the Roman government, and ordered to be crucified by Pontius Pilate, The Roman Prefect. After his death formed the early Church.

Paul of Tarsus

5

Paul the Apostle and Saint Paul, known as Paul of Tarsus in Greek was an important figure of the Apostolic Age as a Jewish and Roman minister. He saw a vision and then began to start to preach Jesus of Nazareth. Thirteen of the books and New Testament are accredited to him and he died in Rome. He taught the Gospel of Christ to the first Century world. He was born in 5 AD and died around the time of AD 64-67.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The Great Fire of Rome was a fire in the city of Rome that lasted for six days, July 18th to July 23rd. It caused widespread devastation burning 65% of Rome destroying many districts and was believed to be caused by Roman Emperor Nero. Nero was believed to have done this because he wanted to rebuild Rome and he wasn't able to get approval from the Senate. Then Nero blamed Christians who had survived the fire and organized the 1st persecution of Christians.

Perpetua

203

Vibia Perpetua was a noblewoman who was a 22 year old mother, and she had a pregnant slave, Felicia, who were both christian martyrs that were killed. They were put to death with others in Carthage which is the Roman Province of Africa, by the Emperor Septimus Severus's birthday at military games. They were believed to have been killed on March 7, 203 AD, and were killed for their faith and it inspired others to convert. Perpetua had a diary, and a witness wrote down her death after she died.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The Great Persecution was the last severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Emperors Galerius and Diocletian took away Christians legal rights with edicts and made them comply with traditional religious practices of roman empire. Out of the tetrarchy, Galerius and Diocletian killed seven thousand Christians in 303 AD to unify Rome under one belief. Christians had to make sacrifices to the pagan gods or they were killed/imprisoned, and were blamed for economical/political problems.

Constantine the Great

306

Constantine the Great was a Roman emperor who ruled between 306 to 337 AD, and was also known as Constantine I. He was born in 272 AD and died in 337 AD. He is the son of Flavius Valerius Constanius. After seeing hoc signo vinces in the sky he won against Maxentitus in 362 AD. And after his victory against Licinius, he built Constantinople to thank christian god. He then made Christianity legal and helped spread it throughout the roman empire by building churches and giving Christians rights.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge took place on October 28, 312 AD, where Emperor Constantine and his forces defeated Emperor Maxentius's forces. The location of the bridge is in Ponte Milvio, Rome, Italy. After Emperor Constantine won the battle he ended the tetarchy, and the battle marked Constantine's Conversion to Christianity. Milvian Bridge is where Constantine and his soldiers saw a vision in the sky of a message of victory sent by God in Greek.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was a letter signed by the Roman Emperors issued in February 313 AD by Licinius and Constantine. It proclaimed religious toleration in the roman empire, and was issued after Emperor Diocletian and it demanded the stop to unfair treatment of Christians. It gave Christianity a legal status and it was an agreement to treat Christians better, but The Edict of Milan did not make Christianity the state church of the Roman Empire, stolen properties and places were given back.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Emperor Theodosius the Great was a Roman Emperor from 379 to 395 AD. He was the last emperor to rule over east and west of the Roman Empire, and Nicene Christianity the official state church over the Roman Empire with decrees he issued. He banned pagan rituals of the Olympics in Ancient Greece, was involved in two civil wars, and campaigned against goths and barbarians that invaded the roman empire. He died in 395 AD, and his two sons Arcadius and Honorius took over what was left of the empire.