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4 BCE
Roman Rule of Israel
After many years of forced leadership by the Romans and much unrest in the Region of Judea, the Romans finally allowed Herod to take Jerusalem. In 4 BC the Romans took direct administration of Judea causing even more unrest in the Jewish population. During the period Jesus would rise to power and become a prominent figure of faith, allowing Christianity to spread throughout the Roman Empire. Under the Roman leader Pontius Pilate, Jesus would be Crucified and mark the beginning of the new faith. -
Period: 4 BCE to 33
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus was the main difference between Christianity and all other religions, such as Judaism, that came before it. He was believed to be the Messiah or the son of God who would bring purity to humanity. Jesus was crucified by Pontius Pilate. After his death, many of his 12 disciples would go on to spread the virtues of Jesus's teachings and form the first Christian church. The Cusifiction would become a symbol of Christianity due to Jesus, thought to be perfect, sacrifice himself for humanity. -
Period: 30 to 50
Paul of Tarsus's Teachings
Paul of Tarsus was one of the most influential figures in early Christian Faith. throughout the 30s through the 50s he would found several churches in the Roman Empire. Paul started off persecuting Christians when finally Jesus Appeared before him and showed him the wounds of the Cross after his resurrection. Paul would soon after dedicating his life to spreading the Christian faith. -
64
The Great Fire of Rome
On 19 July 64, a great fire erupted in the merchant shops near the great structure of the Circus Maximus. The fire would burn for 6 days until finally tamed, the fire then re-ignited and burn for another 3 days.The emperor of the time, Nero, blamed the catastrophe on the Christians in the region, making it the first persecution against Christians. Nero would punish the Christians by feeding them to beasts or by burning them. But, Nero seemed to use the Christians as scapegoats for the fire. -
Period: 182 to 203
Perpetua's life for Christianity
Perpetua was a Martyr in the Roman Empire who would write the influential book "The Passion of the Saints." She recounted her father's pleas for her to give up her faith and later, dreams of her fighting satan and seeing her brother in heaven. She would be thrown to a beast for the punishment of following the Christian faith and she would ultimately survive only to be executed later. Her story would show her relentlessness to give up her faith causing a movement to the Christian Faith in Rome. -
303
The Great Persecution of 303 CE
In 303 AD the emperor Diocletian wanted to reunify the Roman empire under one identity. Part of this operation was to unify the people under one faith. He wanted persecution against Christians that would later be called The Great Persecution. Thousands of Christians and Christian leaders would be killed. -
Period: 306 to 337
Constantine the Great's Rule
Constantine the Great or Constantine I, ruled from the years 306 AD to 337 AD. He would be the first emperor to support Christianity. He would first start supporting the Christian faith in 312 AD due to him having a dream of a cross and the phrase, "In this sign, you will conquer." The Edict of Milan was signed by Constantine and allowed people to worship Christianity without punishment. He also built a capital called Constantinople that contained places of worship and churches. -
312
Battle of Milvian Bridge
The Battle of Milvian Bridge took place on the 28 of October 312 CE between Emperor Constantine the Great and Maxentius. The battle would mark Constantine's conversion to the Christian faith. The first two letters of Christ's name in Greek were printed on the shields of Constantine's soldiers. Before the battle, Constantine also saw the famous dream from God where a cross appeared in the sky and the words "In this sign, you shall conquer" making him believe he was backed by god. -
313
Edict of Milan
After Constantine's dream and belief that Christ had intervened in his life, he and another Emporer, Licinius, would sign the Edict of Milan. The Edict of Milan granted Religous freedom to the citizens of Rome and allowed the once persecuted Christians to worship without punishment. Property taken from the Church during the Great Persecution would be returned to them. This would start the beginning of Christianity's dominance of faith. -
380
Emperor Theodosius
In 380 CE, Emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica. This Edict made Christianity the official faith of the Roman Empire.
