Rise of Christianity In the Roman Empire

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303 BCE

The last and greatest persecution of Christians. as many as 3000−3500 Christians were slathered.

Paul of Tarsus

31 BCE

Considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity. His epistles (letters) have had enormous influence on Christian theology, especially between God the Father and Jesus. he traveled tens of thousands of miles around the Mediterranean spreading the word of Jesus and he who came up with the doctrine that would turn Christianity from a small sect of Judaism into a worldwide faith.

Jesus of Nazareth

5 BCE

He is regarded by most Christians as the Incarnation of God. Not only that but he is believed to be the son of God. Jesus can be seen as an eschatological prophet, grouped historically in the same general category as John the baptist and a few other 1st century Jewish prophets

The Great fire of Rome

64

It was an urban fire that occurred in July of 64 AD. The fire began in the merchant shops around Rome's Circus Maximus. The fire was believed to be caused by the Christians. this was used as a sort of propaganda to persuade the people to veer away from the rising new religion

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

66

the First Jewish–Roman War began but the revolt was stopped by the future Roman emperors Vespasian and Titus. Israel was under Roman rule, which had been the case since Rome wrested the region from Syria in 64 BC.

Perpetua

203

Christian martyr who wrote The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, this was a journal recounting her trial and imprisonment. I the year 201 BC the Roman emperor Septimius Severus outlawed the practice of Christianity and Judaism. In 203 Perpetua was arrested and taken and imprisoned. She was tried and were sentenced to death.

Constantine the Great

306

Constantine the Great was a Roman Emperor who ruled between 306 and 337 AD. He helped the huge impact that Christianity had on Rome, he helped spread the idea and supported the religion. His main goal was to unite the church so not to offend God. He felt that it was his duty to spread Christianity throughout his empire.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

It is said that the night before the battle Constantein had a dream. A dream of a sun shinning behind a cross. and at the base the words, "In this sign, Prevail" were inscribe. That morning he told his men to paint crosses on their shields. Although Constantein believed to be a vision from God it sparked more of the idea of superstition than an act of God. Constantein's forces finally forced Roman to surrender, which brought the fall of Rome

Edict of Milan

313

a letter signed by the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius, that proclaimed religious toleration in the Roman Empire. This allowed not only the legalization of Christianity but any religion that the people wished to practice. The state could no longer oppress the people based on their beliefs.

Emperor Theodosius

379

the last emperor to rule over both the Eastern and the Western halves of the Roman Empire before they split. He fraught against the rising Goths and other barbarians. He solved this problem by allowing the Goths to live Southern of the Danube. They also became allies.