Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

4

Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ, was a first century preacher and teacher. He was often referred to as a "Rabbi" and debated with Jews on how to follow God. He was arrested and tried by the Jewish authorities and turned over to the Roman government to be crucified. People who followed him before his death claim that he rose from the dead and formed a community around him.

Jesus of Nazareth

4

Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ, was a first-century Jewish preacher and teacher. Christians believe that he was the incarnation of God the Son. He preached orally and was often referred to as "rabbi" by his followers. Jesus debated with fellow Jews on how to best follow God and was later arrested by Jewish authorities and turned over to the Roman government. After his death, people who follow him believe he never really died and instead rose from the dead.

Roman Rule of Israel

37

Hyrcanus II, was appointed King of Judea by the Romans. Herod launched a massive construction program. Ten years after Herod's death, Judea came under direct Roman administration. Growing anger against increased Roman suppression of Jewish life resulted in sporadic violence which escalated into a full-scale revolt in 66 CE. Although the Temple had been destroyed and Jerusalem burned to the ground, the Jews and Judaism survived the encounter with Rome.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The Great Fire of Rome was an urban fire that occurred in July of 64 AD. This massive fire began in the merchant shops around Rome's chariot stadium, Circus Maximus. It took 6 days to bring the fire under control but it still had not been put out completely. After it was under control, it burned for another 3 days before it was out. In the aftermath of the fire, two thirds of Rome had been destroyed.

Paul of Tarsus

64

Paul of Tarsus commonly known as Saint Paul and also known by his Jewish name Saul of Tarsus, taught gospel of Christ to the first-century world. He was generally considered one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age, He founded several churches and status as both a Jew and was a minister to both Jewish and Roman audiences.

Great Fire of Rome

64

In the merchant shops around Rome a fire occurred and took six days to get under control. Once it was under control, it burned for 3 more days after. Because of this fire, 2/3 of Rome had been destroyed. The people of Rome found one person to blame, this was the emperor Nero.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua born in 182 and died on March 7, 203. Not only is Her text is one of the rare surviving documents written by a woman in the ancient world, but it also is the oldest prison diary. She was imprisoned with a woman named Felicity. Both of these woman were soon to be mothers or already mothers. They were imprisoned due to the fact that they had faith in Christianity but were not baptized. Because of this they were persecuted with no remorse.

Great Persecution

303

This was the most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. This was when the Christians were stripped of any legal rights and continued for 2 centuries. The persecution was carried out by the state and other authorities. The citizens even took it upon themselves to punish the Christians, They would often throw rocks at Christians.

Great Persecution

303

Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in Rome. Christians legal rights were restricted and they had to practice traditional religious practices. The persecution varied in intensity across the empire, it was strongest in Eastern provinces. Persecution laws were eventually enforced and this solely ended the persecutions.

Constantine the Great

306

Constantine the Great Ruled between 306 and 337 AD. Son of a Roman army officer called Flavius Valerius Constantius. His father became the deputy emperor and Constantine trained. He passed various ranks in military until he got to the Rank of Augustus. He became the emperor and won various civil wars against other emperors.

Constantine the Great

306

Constantine was a Roman Emperor who ruled between 306 and 337 AD. He was the son of Flavius Valerius Constantius, He was a Roman Army officer. His father became Caesar and Constantine was sent East to raise ranks to become a military tribune. He became emperor in 306 AD when his father passed away. From then on, he was victorious in a series of civil wars Emperors Maxentius and Licinius.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

This ancient battle took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. From the name of the battle, the Milvian Bridge holds a important part of in this conflict. The Bridge goes over the Tiber river. In the end, Constantine won the battle and he became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. Maxentius, on the other hand, drowned in the Tiber during the intense battle. His head was decapitated from his body and paraded through the streets of Rome.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. It takes its name from the Milvian Bridge, it was built over the Tiber River. The battle was won and made Constantine the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. The other emperor, Maxentius, drowned in the Tiber during the battle. His head was decapitated from his body and was paraded around the streets of Rome.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was a proclamation that established religious toleration for Christianity in Rome. Between Constantine I and Licinius this agreement concluded in Mediolanum. Christians were allowed to worship any deity they pleased after this by Licinius. In the past, leaders who tolerated this lived a short life, but because of how established this toleration was it was long lived.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was agreement to treat Christians benevolently within the Rome. The emperors Emperor Constantine I and Emperor Licinius met in Mediolanum. They agreed to change policies towards Christians and allow them to believe in any deity they choose. The Edict of Milan gave Christianity a legal status, but did not make Christianity the state church of the Roman Empire.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius was a Roman Empire from 379 to 395 and ruled over both the Eastern and Western halves of Rome. He made a campaign against Goths and at the end of the Gothic War, made a treaty. Theodosius gave them land and his had rarely been done by Roman leaders in the past.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius the Great, was a Roman Emperor from 379 to 395. In addition to this, he was the last emperor to rule over the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire. He campaigned against the Goths but he did not have the resources to drive them out so he made a treaty with them. This had never been done before by previous emperors. This came with consequences though, The Romans found themselves trying to fight the borders and Theodosius was forces to fight 2 destructive civil wars.