The Rise of Christianity

Beginning of Roman Rule of Judea

40 BCE

The province was acquired after several decades of rivalry between Rome and the Seleucids. The province was named after the ancient kingdom of Judah for its predominant Jewish population. The province had a mix of Jewish and Paegan peoples. The province was considered culturally important for Jewish peoples because it was stated to be the holy land of the Jews in the Bible. Roman rule was mostly contested at first; riots and revolts were extremely common.

Jesus of Nazareth

3

Prophet of the Jewish and Muslim religions, and considered the Son of God by the Christians. He is the key point of the Christian religion and the focus point of the New Testament in the Bible. He was born of the Virgin Mary and Joseph. He preached throughout Judea, and performed many miracles for the Jews. He was crucified by the Romans and rose 3 days later, making the cross a significant symbol in the Christian faith. He died in 33 AD

Paul of Tarsus

5

Paul of Tarsus, or Paul the Apostle, or simply Saint Paul, was a Christian who spread the word of Christ throughout the known world. He founded many churches throughout Europe and the Middle East in the Roman Empire. According to the New Testament, he was in charge of the Persecution of the Christians but was visited by Jesus, and began teaching his word. Many of the writings of the New Testament are attributed to him. Most of the book 'Acts' is about his life and his works. He died in 66 AD

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Under the rule of Nero. Over 40% of the city was destroyed by the fire. The bucket brigades, which was an ancient form of firemen, were attacked by rioters, allowing the fire to continue. The fire coincidentally missed a Christian sector of the city. Seeing this, and attempting to avoid claims that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians for the fire and began a large-scale persecution of the Christians. The fire lasted 6 days

Perpetua

203

Perpetua, a martyr written about in the early Christian text, "Passion of Saint Perpetua, Saint Felicitas, and their Companions". Perpetua was a noblewoman in the Roman Empire and Felicitas was a slave. Both were convicted Christians in the Roman Empire because practicing Christianity was illegal at the time. They, along with several others, were martyred at the military parade during the emporer's birthday. They died in Carthage.

Costantine the Great

272

Emporer Constantine was a Roman Emporer made famous for his legalization and following of Christianity. Constantine, before the Battle of Milvian Bridge, saw the image of the Christian Cross. He was then visited by an angel and won the battle afterward. He is also famous for moving the capital of Rome to Constantine (modern-day Istanbul), a city named after himself.
Died: May 22, 337 AD

The Great Persecution

303

The Great Persecution was a religious persecution of the Christian People by the Roman Empire and Diocletian. Many of the rights of the Christians were taken away during this time. Convicted Christians were sent to fighting pits to be killed by gladiators and wild animals. The Roman people were whipped into a frenzy by the Senate and Assembly, who backed the Emporer. Christianity survived after this persecution, but in more secret than before.

The Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was a battle between the two sides of Rome, fought between Constantine and Maxentius. The battle is important because, according to legend, a bright cross, the symbol of the Christian faith, appeared in the sky. The soldiers and Constantine saw this as a sign that they are blessed. That night, Constantine was visited by a Christina angel, which told him about the battle to come. The next day, the Constantinian forces won, and Constantine was converted.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was a decree that Christianity would no longer be illegal in the Roman Empire. The decision was made after
Emporer Constantine was visited by a Christian angel, and subsequently won the Battle of Milvian Bridge. Licinius, another Roman Emporer, also signed the agreement. There was already an act of tolerance in the Roman Empire, enacted by Galerius two years prior. The Edict of Milan also favors Christians, partly because of Constantine's close ties to the religion.

Emperor Theodosius I

395

Emperor Theodosius, or Theodosius the Great, was a Roman Emporer who made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. Emperor Theodosius was the last Roman Emporer to control both Eastern and Western Rome.