Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus was born 6/4 BCE. He got the Christ part of his name from the Greek word for the Hebrew expression "messiah" christos. This lead early Christians to believe he was the messiah.

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

63

Starting in the year 63, Rome ruled Israel. Rome suppressed Jewish life. They destroyed Jerusalem and the temple which was catastrophic for the Jewish people. Hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed and thousands were sold into slavery.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

This was a large fire that burnt down 10 of Rome's 14 districts, and it burnt for a total of 9 days. It died after six days but it then restarted. It is believed that emperor Nero started the fire to rebuild Rome without approval. He scapegoated Christians for causing this because they were not worshiping the gods. It is said that Nero watch the city burn while "merrily" playing his fiddle

Paul of Tarsus

64

Paul originally persecuted christianity but then converted and became one of it's founders and he helped spread the movement. He traveled throught the easteren roman empire spreading the "good news" that Jesus would return soon. He also helped write some of the new Testimate.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua was a christian living in Carthage but when Rome took over Carthage, she was taken prisoner for being christian. She could have refused being a christian and might of been set free but she did not so she was sentenced to death in the arena. She was attacked by animals and ultimately died from someone with a sword.

The Great persecution of 303

303

In the year 303, Emperor Diocletian started "The Great Persecution". Edicts were made to prohibit Christians from meeting and bibles were burnt in public. According to modern estimates, 2,500 to 3,500 were killed in the persecution.

The Battle of Milvan bridge

312

On October 27 312, Constantine say a cross across the sun and what translates to "In this sign, prevail." He decided the next day to order his soldiers to put crosses on there shields. They won the battle and Constantine did many things eventually making Christianity (as well as any other religion) legal.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was an edict that established religious toleration for all religions. From emperors Constantine and Licinius All relegions including christianity were then tolerated and given full rights and returned there confiscated property. This edict, unlike those before it, lasted for a long time, beyond the original regeime that established it.

Constantine the Great

330

On February 27, 280, Constantine was born. He was competing to be emperor and because he had a vision of a cross in the sky and he had a dream, he put Jesus's fist two letters on his soldiers crosses and won the battle. He became emperor of Rome and in the year 330, he founded Constantinople where there were many christian churches. He was very friendly towards Christianity and helped it spread. He also legalized not only Christianity but all religions.

Emperor Theodosius

380

Theodosius was born in 347 and became the last emperor to rule over both the eastern and western halves of the empire. He made Christianity the official religion of Rome and suppressed paganism. This happened the year 380.