Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel Begins

57 BCE

The Roman governor divided Israel into five districts of administration. This system was brought into Israel to eliminate their old systems.Israel was under Roman rule during the Book of Acts. Jews were excuses from military service and having to appear in court on Sabbath. Their cultures began to overlap. Pompey conquered Jerusalem. Julius Caesar said that Judaism was a legal religion.

Jesus of Nazareth

Period: 4 BCE to 33

Also referred to as Jesus Christ as told in the Old Testament of the Bible. He was a Jewish preacher and a religious leader. He is the main figure in the Christian religion and is said to be incarnation of God. Also the second person in the Holy Trinity.

Paul of Tarsus

57

Paul played a huge role of the development of Christianity. He wrote letters that are the most influential books of the New Testament after the Gospels. His gospels explain the relationship between Jesus and God. He is known as the second founder in the Christian Movement. Some of Paul's relatives are included in the Bible. People believe that Paul was beheaded by Nero. Paul got an award for writing the largest chuck of the Bible in the shortest amount of time.

Great Fire of Rome

64

It is said the Emperor Nero set up the fire in the shops in the Circus Maximus. It is believed that he set this fire up to burn the city down. He then blamed the Christians for the fire as a scapegoat. Nero wanted the Christians to look bad so they wouldn't have as many followers. It was very windy the night of the fire which caused the flames to spread very far. It went through the city mostly because that's where it started. The fire destroyed a lot because the buildings were made of wood.

Perpetua

203

Perpeuta was a Christian follower. She is known for the writing, The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity. In this text, it explains her trial and imprisonment. People began to think more about maybe Christianity isn't that bad because she was willing to die for her beliefs. Perpetua's mother was Christian. Her father wasn't and wanted her to not follow the Christian religion. Perpetua faced many threats of persecution.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

This was the last and most intense persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. The Roman emperors at this time were Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius. They issued edicts that tried to make the Christians practice the traditional religion. About 3,500 Christians died in the persecution.This time is also referred to as the Diocletian.

Constantine the Great

306

Constantine was the first Emperor to be on bored with the idea of Christianity. When he was in battle he saw a cross in the sky and a message that wrote "In this sign, you will conquer". He also had a dream that he was told to put the first two letters in Christ's name on the front of their shields. He then won the battle since then he had accepted Christianity and applied the Edict of Milan that made Christianity legal. Also he made Constantinople which was a city dedicated to God.

The Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

Constantine was the leader in this battle in an important route on the Tiber River. During this battle, Constantine is said to have it written in the sky that he will win the battle. He also says he has a vision where his army is fighting with shields that have the first two letters on God's name on them. Constantine then wins the battle and that is what he uses to decide on being okay with the Christian religion and following it.

Edict of Milan

313

This was a document that made it a law for the Christians to stop being persecuted. This made it permanently acceptable to follow the Christian religion. This was signed by the emperors Constantine and Licinius. This made it safe for Christians. More churches and practices started appearing because of this Edict

Emperor Theodosius

380

Emperor Theodosius created the Edict of Thessalonica which made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire. He was the last emperor to rule over both the Eastern and Western parts of Rome.He campaigned against Goth and barbarians.