Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel (Begins)

63 BCE

Rome takes control over Israel which is home to the Jews at the time. Christianity started Jerusalem, the capital of Israel so it spread quickly through the empire.
-Israel was under rule of Herod the Great at first.
-The Romans showed slight tolerance toward the Jews.
-Pontius Pilate (known for crucifying Jesus of Nazareth) was elected to be Governor of Judea.
- The Jew's worshiped at their own synagogue but had a one central Temple in Jerusalem.
-In 70 AD Romans destroy the Temple.

Jesus of Nazareth

6 BCE

Jesus of Nazarath was the son of Joseph and Mary. He is believed by Christians to be the son of God. He spent his life delivering the word of God and essentially starting Christianity.
- Was born sometime between 6-4 BC
-Jesus was born a Jew.
- Called Jesus Christ.
-His closest followers were called Apostles.
- Was crucified under Pontius Pilate (governor appointed by emperor Tiberius.
-The cross is a christian symbol because Jesus was hung on a cross.
-Was crucified sometime between 30-33 AD

The Great Fire of Rome

64

• The Great Fire of Rome was a fire that ended up burning most of Rome down. -The fire lasted for 3 days. -The fire was disastrous. -Many people blame Nero for the fire, saying he fiddled while Rome burned because he wanted to rebuild the city in his own way.
• It would have been impossible for Nero to personally start the fire because he was 35 miles away. -Nero used the fire as an excuse to persecute more Christians. Link text

Paul of Tarsus

64

Paul was one of the very first followers of Jesus. He helped spread the word of Jesus and the message of Christianity.
- Originally called Saul before having a vision.
-He was an apostle. (one of the twelve disciples)
- His writings tell of grace and salvation.
- He was beheaded in 64 AD under Nero, possibly in blame for the Great Fire of Rome
-Paul wrote many parts of the bible some, for example are: 1 Thessalonians, Galatians, 1&2 Corinthians, Philippians, Philemon, Romans

Perpetua

181

Perpetua was a Christian, who refused to deny her religion even though it meant she was to die. In the end she died but never stopped believing and is seen as a matyr.
- Arrested on her way to be baptized.
- Her young child was given to her father.
- She received visions that helped her keep faith.
- She faced a man in battle and won a branch by beating him.
-Was thrown to a bull.
- In the end she was stabbed in the stomach, it wasn't fatal so she grabbed the sword and killed herself (203 AD)

Constantine the Great

272

• Constantine was a Roman emperor, ruling in the 4th century. -He had a vision at the Battle of Milivan Bridge and after that was Christian.
• He worked to create a better life for Christians and issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD. -This gave them freedom to worship safely.
• With many church officials he wrote the Nicene Creed, stating Christians basis beliefs.
• He died in 337 after falling ill, he was buried at the church of Apostles. [Link Text](biography.com/political-figure/constantine-i)

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The Great Persecution persecuted many Christians in many ways, many places of worship were destroyed and many Christians died.
-All citizens had to sacrifice to the Roman Gods and would face consequences if they did not.
-The persecution was for all over the empire not just Rome.
-Christians in the west were safer than those in the east.
-It is unknown how many people died.
-The persecution was called off by Galerius (who had also started it) in 311 AD
Link text

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

Before the battle Constantine had a vision that turned him to Christianity and he went into battle with Christian signs on his armies shields.
-Constantine and Maxentius (both roman emperors) went to battle against each other.
- The army saw a cross of light in the sky.
-Constantine had a vision that night saying to use the cross.
- He had his entire army paint the symbol on their shield,
-Winning the battle helped Constantine become emperor over all of Rome which helped him spread Christianity.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was signed, allowing for Christians to worship safely without persecution.
-Signed by emperors Constantine and Licinius.
-It gave all religions not just Christianity the freedom to worship what they wished.
-It gave Christians back the things taken from them in the Great Persecution.
-Constantine did this not because of faith but he feared God's actions if he failed to act in favor of Christians.
-After this Christianity grew and would soon become the sole religion of Rome.

Emperor Theodosius

347

Emperor Theodosius (347-395 AD) was baptized into Christianity and accepted Christianity and declared that their was one God ( the one that Christians had worshiped for years).
-Adopted the god from the Nicene Creed ( states basic beliefs of God)
- On 2-28-380 he required all Romans to be Christian.
-Helped bishops become part of the government.
-He temporarily united all of Rome.
- Rome split back permanently into two parts after his death.