Rise of Christianity in The Roman Empire

Theodosius

450 BCE

Theodosius the Great, was a Roman Emperor from AD 379 to AD 395. He was the last emperor to rule over western and eastern Rome. He established the creed of the Council of Nicaea as the universal norm for Christian orthodoxy. He tried to bring bring unity of faith to the empire. He established Christianity as the state religion and successfully defended it against paganism and Arianism.

Constantine and Christianity

313 BCE

Even though Christianity began to grow significantly it was not the primary religion. Constantine came to power after he concurred the tetrarchy. The story tells that Constantine was going to fight a much higher power for Rome, Maxentius. Later, he had a dream to put "XP", Christ in Greek, on the shields of the soldiers and miraculously, he won. Then the Edict of Milan was created, making Christianity legal. Romans now believed that Christianity would help them and so they legalized it,

Why did Christianity Grow

313 BCE

Despite all of the persecutions of Christians their religion still grew and thrived. In a time of distress, with all the persecutions, while some hated Christianity even more others were encouraged to accept it. Christians took better care of sick people and so people appreciated their kindness and gravitated towards Christianity. Others saw their support plays and wanted to be a part of it. But mostly, people valued Christians morals of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life.

The Battle of Milvian Bridge

312 BCE

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine and Maxentius on 28 October 312. Constantine won the battle supposedly because of his dream. The battle marks Constantine's conversion to Christianity.

Why were Christians persecutued?

303 BCE

In early Christianity, Christians were persecuted. This was because the Romans felt that Christianity was a threat to their religion, Christians only believe in one god, and believed that Christians endangered them. The Romans believed that they were protected by the Pax Deorem which was arranged with the Gods so, Christians practicing a new religion was frightening to the Romans. Christians also did not believe in sacrifices and that was part of the Roman religion.

Persecutions of Christians in Rome

303 BCE

Roman leaders started out by trying to ignore the Christian and then went to try to eliminate them. Decius, a Roman Emporer from 249 to 251 AD, tried to eliminate all Christians. Many Christian leaders died in this time because they were the Roman targets so, Christianity may have been misinterpreted in this time. Romans spread rumors about Christians to make the other Roman citizens be afraid of them and hate them. In 250 AD, the emperor Decius issued a decree requiring public sacrifice.

Perpetua

203 BCE

It survives in both Latin and Greek forms, and purports to contain the actual prison diary of the young mother and martyr Perpetua. Perpetua was a married noblewoman, said to have been 22 years old at the time of her death, and mother of an infant she was nursing. She is one of the people in the one of the oldest texts. She had forbidden beliefs of Christianity. It is written in first person and some suspect it is a diary.

Roman Rule

135 BCE

Rome took over Israel. Jerusalem burned to the ground, the Jews and Judaism survived the encounter with Rome. This happened after Jesus was crucified. Some Jewish people left the area after the names were changed.

Great Fire of Rome

64 BCE

The Great Fire of Rome was a fire started by Nero, a Roman Emperor, because he wanted to redo the city. He had to excuse to redo the city so he started a fire. However, he blamed it on the Christians. All of the Romans were upset and mad at the Christians for supposedly causing all of the devastation. This initiated the Christian Persecution. Three Roman districts were completely wiped out. The fire lasted three days. Hundreds of people died and thousands were left homeless.

Paul of Tarsus

64 BCE

Taught by Jesus. He was one of the 12 apostles. He founded many Churches. He took advantage of his status as both a Jew and a Roman citizen to minister to both Jewish and Roman audiences. Paul was dedicated to persecuting the early disciples of Jesus in the area of Jerusalem. Resurrected Jesus struck him blind but he could see again after three days. He converted to Christianity.

Word about Christianity

34 BCE

Although Jesus had died, his followers kept spreading Christianity and eventually, it got to the Roman empire. Some Jesus followers chose to go to Athens and Greek cities because there were many poor desperate people who could use Christianity as an hope and will to live because of 'eternal life'. Early followers of Christianity practiced underground because Christianity was opppsoed by Roman authorities.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

The central figure of Christianity. He was a jewish preacher and religious leader. Jesus was a Galilean Jew who was baptized by John the Baptist and subsequently began his own ministry, preaching his message orally. He was arrested and tried by the Jewish authorities, turned over to the Roman government, and was crucified on the orderthe Roman prefect. After his death, his followers believed he rose from the dead, and the community they formed eventually became the early Church.