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63 BCE
Roman Rule of Israel (begins)
Rome first occupied Israel in 63 bc under general Pompey. A little while later, Julius Caesar conquered Alexandria in 47 BC and defeated the great general Pompey in 45 BC. -
1 CE
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus of Nazareth was born in AD 0. The AD stands for Anno Domini, which means the year of our lord. Jesus founded Christianity and spread his faith through his disciples (followers). Jesus was persecuted by the Romans and crucified at the young age of 33. -
4
Paul of Tarsus
Paul, or St. Paul was the most important person that was living in Christianity after Jesus died. He spread the word, along with the help of other disciples throughout the empire. Paul had many enemies, and that came to haunt him in his last days. He was executed by the Romans in 62-64 AD, around the time when Nero ordered the persecution against the Christians -
64
Great fire of Rome
On July 19, 64 AD, a fire started in the large Circus Maximus stadium in Rome, which is now the capital of Italy. When the fire was finally put out six days later, 10 of Rome’s 14 districts were burned. some Ancient historians blame Emperor Nero for the fire. Some say he played on his fiddle while the city burned to the ground. Not long after that, he blamed the Christians for this fire and that started the persecution of that religion. -
Period: 182 to 203
Perpetua
Perpetua was a Martyr who died for her Christian beliefs. Her story is found in her journal " The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity" which is one of the only books written by a woman that we have at that time. She died in the arena. -
Period: 280 to 320
Constantine the Great
This man was the first roman Emporer to embrace Christianity. Constantine believed God revealed many things to him in battle. He then became Emporer, seizing the opportunity to convert Rome's Pagan beliefs into a religion centered on one god. Some say in his early years of rule over Rome, he worshiped God, but also many of the other Roman gods. It wasn't till later in his life that he fully believed in Christianity Monotheistic beliefs -
298
Battle of Milvian Bridge
The Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine the great and Maxentius on October 28, 312 AD. It takes its name from the historic Milvian Bridge, a route over the Tiber. People recall that Constantine and his soldiers saw a vision sent by God. Constantine won the battle and took control of the empire. -
303
Persecution of 303 AD
The last and worst persecution of the Christians came in 303 AD. With Christianity spreading like a wildfire throughout Rome, Emporer Diocletian felt that they were getting too powerful, so he made it legal for people to persecute all Christians in the empire.
This started the age of Martyrs, or people dying for something they strongly believe in -
313
Edict of Milan
The edict of Milan was a letter signed by Emporers Constantine and Vinicius on 313 AD. It stopped the persecutions of the Christians and brought peace and unity to the empire for some time. Christianity then spreaded throughout the empire rapidly. -
Period: 329 to 395
Emperor Theodosius
Theodosius was born on 379 and died on 395 AD. He was the last emperor to rule both halves of the Roman empire before splitting. He was a great emperor because he found ways to keep out barbarians and Goths.
