Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel

64 BCE

The Roman general Pompey in his eastern campaign established the Roman province of Syria in 64 BC and conquered Jerusalem in 63 BC. Julius Caesar conquered Alexandria c. 47 BC and defeated Pompey in 45 BC. This was greatly affiliated with the growth of Christianity because the Israelite's practicing Christianity were now under Roman control, so the Religion spread Thoroughly throughout Rome, an enormous Empire.

Jesus of Nazareth

1 CE

Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus, was a first century Jewish preacher who the Christians believe was the son of God as stated in the First Testament. His birth/death/teachings were the beginnings of the religion Christianity, named after him, Jesus Christ. After his death, the religion started spreading, and from these humble beginnings, would arise the most followed religion in the world, a few thousand years later.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The Great Fire of Rome was a devastating July urban fire in Rome, it burned for six days, burning 65% of the city to the ground. Operatives or "Thugs" stopped Roman citizens from putting out the fire. Many blamed Nero, for burning it because the senate would not let him rebuild Rome, But he quickly diverted this blame onto the already despised Christians, because their section of Rome had not been burned, causing hundreds of Romans to believe that they started the fire that destroyed their city.

Paul of Tarsus

67

Paul of Tarsus, or Paul the Apostle, he taught biblical teachings and Christianity to the first century people. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the Apostolic age. He accelerated the growth of Christianity by teaching it to a wide variety of people.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua was a famous Christian Martyr of the third century who died in 203. 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 was put to death along with others at Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. Her unbroken resolve and courage inspired the Christians to stay strong during this awful tragic time for them.

The Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

Known as the Great Persecution, or the Diocletian Persecution. Widely considered the last major persecution in Rome of the Christians. The emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius signed an edict in 303 rescinding the rights of the Christians. During this period, thousands of Christians were thrown to the beasts, burned at the stake, hanged for their beliefs, due to the law requiring them to worship the Roman gods and goddesses, not the deity that they believed in.

Constantine the Great

306

Constantine the Great(Constantine I) was a Roman emperor the ruled from 306 to 337 CE. He led the Roman army in the battle of Milvian, where he said he saw a cross in the sky. Constantine then decided to create the Edict Of Milan, an agreement giving full rights to all people in Rome, including the Christians, to practice whatever Religion that they chose. Constantine was a bit of a game changer for Christianity, and was a huge boost for their growth.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was fought between Emperor Constantine and Maxentius. During the battle he and his army saw a cross of light in the sky above the sun with words in Greek that are generally translated into Latin as In hoc signo vinces(‘In this sign conquer’). This let him to the conclusion that he should grant the Christians the right to practice their own religion, another huge step in the development and growth of Christianity.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was an agreement signed by Constantine and Licindius , Roman Emperors. The agreement allowed the Christians and all citizens of Rome religious freedom. Constantine agreed to this when because he believed that God had helped him win the battle of the Bridge of Milivian. This was a huge step for the growth and flourishing of Christianity, and acted as the nail in the coffin for the persecution of the Christians in Rome.

Emperor Theodosius I

379

Theodosius was ruler of Rome from 379 CE to 395 CE. While he was in power he was the last Roman ruler to control both the east and western sides of Rome. While he was in power he effectively made Nicene Christianity the official state church of the Roman Empire. The already growing Christianity began to rise exponentially after this happened, because the official state church of the Roman Empire was a very prestigious title for Christianity.