The Church of Late Antiquity

By preacherelfe
  • Period: 206 to 302

    Little Peace of the Church

    This period of time was important as emperors were too busy to worry about church issues. It allowed for Christianity to spread and gain ground across the empire.
  • Period: 300 to 400

    The Holy Man Movement

    Men in Syria and Egypt who chose to be anti-culture. They became a religious nomand who was seen as a connecting point to a unseen God. He was known in communities as a patron, intercessor, living bible, curser, and advisor.
  • 302

    The Great Persecution Begins

    The Great Persecution Begins
    Diocletion makes Christians outcasts in society.
  • 305

    Silvanus becomes bishop of Cirta

    Silvanus becomes bishop of Cirta
    Alliances were created with Silvanus that brought about the begining of Donatism
  • Period: 305 to 306

    Constantius Rules Empire

  • Period: 306 to 337

    Constantine Rules Empire

  • 312

    Battle of Milvian Bridge

    Battle of Milvian Bridge
    In a decisive battle, Constantine wins over his enemy, Maxentius. Constantine believes this was all on account of God.
  • 312

    Constantine's Conversion

    Constantine's Conversion
    In a vision Constantine sees in a dream the cross of Christ on the shields of his soldiers. Takes this as God's command to win the battle. Accounts say this was his conversion experience.
  • 313

    Edict of Milan

    This Edict signed by Constantine granted tollerance to all religions. It was a starting point for the rise of Christianity.
  • 313

    Lateran Council

    Decided against Donatists
  • 314

    Synod of Arles

    Decided against Donatists
  • 325

    Council of Nicaea Begins

    Council of Nicaea Begins
    Constantine took an active role in this council. Some say he was responsible for the outcome. In the end it decided not only how to understand Jesus as the son of God, but also placed decision making for the church into the hands of the Emperor.
  • 330

    Constantinople Dedicated

    Constantinople Dedicated
    Constantinople was created to be a New Rome on the frontier of the Roman world. It was Constantine's pride an joy and eventual resting place.
  • 337

    Death of Constantine

  • Period: 337 to 361

    Constantius II Rules the Empire

    A time of conflict for the Church. Constantius II overturned the decision at Nicaea and declared Aruis to be more philosopically right. Athanasius was exiled five times.
  • Period: 340 to 401

    The Great Persian Persecution

    Brought on by Constantine's conversian to Christianity and push into Persian territory, Christians were not tollerated by the Persian Empire.
  • Period: 350 to 450

    The Great Ecclesiastical Rulers

    During this period of histroy, much of the Roman world is governened by its powerful bishops who define what Christianity will look like in the empire. They included, Ambrose of Milan (374-397) Basil at Caesarea (370-379) John of Chrysostom at Antioch and Constantinople (398-409) and Augustine of Hippo (395-430).
  • 356

    Death of Anthony

    Death of Anthony
    Anthony, the hermit dies and becomes the father of monks. Lived to be 105 and spent some seventy years in the desert.
  • Period: 361 to 363

    Julian Rules the Empire

    Julian was known as the Apostate. He flaunted the long beard of the Greek philosopher and promoted the return of Hellenistic culture.
  • 410

    Visogoths Attack Rome

    Visogoths Attack Rome
    For the first time since the rise of the Roman Empire, Rome is attacked and invaded.
  • 413

    City of God

    City of God
    Augustine begins work on his book, The City of God. He wrote it to explain Christianity's viewpoints in contrast to surrounding religions. It included his work on the Trinity and urged men to look to heaven instead of to politics.
  • 417

    Pelagian Heresy is chased out of Rome

  • 431

    Council of Ephesus

    Council of Ephesus
    This ecumenical council decided upon the doctrine of Theotokos, the Blessed Virgin. It condemned the teachings of Nestorius.
  • 451

    Council of Chalcedon

    Council of Chalcedon
    Decided on the Eutychian controversy and established an understanding of the human and divine natures of Christ.
  • Period: 527 to 565

    Justinian Rule's Byzantine Empire

  • Period: 530 to

    The "Good Days" of Byzantium

    This was a time of great success for Byzantium. Territory was reconquered and peace was acheived with Persia. It was a time of Roman Renewal.
  • 532

    Nika Riot

    Nika Riot
    Angered by Justinian's ministers, the people and Senate of Constantinople united against its ruler. Half the city was burned. Led by Bleisarius the imperial troops enter the Hyppodrome and kill about 30,000 rioters.
  • Period: 532 to 540

    Eternal Peace

    Agreement between Byzantine Empire and Sassanid Persia for peace. Only lasted 8 years.
  • 533

    Africa Re-conquered

    Africa Re-conquered
    Through Justinian, the empire began to re-conquer lost territory. In 533, his general Belisarius helped to accomplish this feat in Africa. The coin pictured was made to commemorate his victories.
  • 534

    The Justinian Code or Corpus Juris

    The Justinian Code or Corpus Juris
    Built upon the codes of Theodosius, Justinian again compiled all the Roman law in this work.
  • Period: 540 to

    The "Bad Days" of Byzantium

    This was a time of political turmoil for the Empire. The plague made its appearance durring this time. Persia broke off its truce, and Slavs from the north invaded. It was a time of Roman survival.
  • Period: 541 to 543

    The Plague

    These few years were one of the worst outbreaks of the Plague in Constantinople. It is estimated that over 10,000 people died from it in these years. Justinian himself fell subject to the disease.
  • 554

    Spain reconcquered by Byzantium

  • 565

    Justinian's Death

    Justinian's Death
    Pictured here is a mosaic of Justinian and his prise accomplisment, the Hagia Sophia.
  • Period: Jan 1, 602 to

    The Wars between Sassanid Empire and Byzantium

    During this time, Khusro the II made great advances to overtake the Byzantine Empire.
  • Period: Jan 1, 610 to Dec 31, 632

    The Rise of Islam

    During this period of time, Muhammad comes onto the scene. He begins the labor intensive process of unifying the nomadic culture of Islam.
  • Period: Oct 5, 610 to Feb 11, 641

    Heraclius rules Byzantine Empire

  • Jan 1, 613

    Fall of Antioch to Persia

  • Jan 1, 614

    Jerusalem Falls to Persia

  • Jan 1, 630

    Muhammad Triumphs at Mecca

    Muhammad Triumphs at Mecca
    He had risen in popularity and after his return to Mecca made transformations in commercial practice and began to issue in a religious empire. The unification of Arabia had begun. Pictured here is a painting of Muhammad receiving a city, likely Mecca, from an angel.
  • Jan 1, 636

    Byzantines fall to Islam

  • Jan 1, 637

    Antioch Falls to Islam

  • Jan 1, 637

    Sassanid State falls to Islam

  • Jan 1, 642

    Alexandria Falls to Islam

  • Jan 1, 711

    Islam Reaches Europe

    By 711 Islam had made its way across Africa, over the Mediterranean Sea and into the provinces of France.
  • Period: Mar 25, 717 to Jun 18, 741

    Initiation of Iconoclastic Movement

    During the rule of Leo III, the movement attempting to rid the church of idol like worship of pictures.
  • Period: Jan 1, 741 to Dec 31, 755

    Constantine V Rules Empire

    Icons return due to miltary approval.
  • Period: Jan 1, 775 to

    Leo IV Rules Empire

  • Anthony beings new life!

    Anthony beings new life!
    Anthony, a young man in Egypt began to live the life of a hermit. He removed himself from culture and went further and further into the desert.

  • Ostrogoths Driven from Rome

    Ostrogoths Driven from Rome
    This was part of Justinians success. Thier removal from Rome forced peace between the Roman Empire and the Ostrogoths. Pictured here is Justinian with his trusted advisors.

  • Egypt Falls to Persia

  • The "Robber's Synod"

    The "Robber's Synod"
    Otherwise known as the Second Council of Ephesus. Was not accepted as eccumenical because of the controversial proceedings. They discussed Nestorianism, Monophysitism, Christology. Pictured is an icon depicting this council.

  • Triumph of Orthodoxy

    Triumph of Orthodoxy
    Icons are restored to the church in Constantinople. This is a major dividing point between the East and West churches. Pictured is an icon depicting this event.

  • Second Council of Nicea

    Second Council of Nicea
    Icons are declared ok in the tradition of the Church. Pictured here is a depiction of that council.

  • Carhage Falls to Islam

  • Massacre at Thessalonica

    Massacre at Thessalonica
    To curb the rebellion in Thessalonica, Theodosius sends his army to retalliate. The result was the mass murder of 7000. Pictured here is a depiction of Theodosius attempting to enter the church. Ambrose would not allow him due to his sin.

  • Codex Theodosianus [The Theodosian Code]

    Codex Theodosianus [The Theodosian Code]
    This document gathered all the Roman laws from Constantine till Theodosius. The code discusses political, socioeconomic, cultural and religious subjects of the fourth and fifth century in the Roman Empire.
  • Period: to 305

    Diocletian Rules Empire

  • Period: to

    Anastasius Rules Byzantine Empire

  • Period: to

    Theodosius I Rules Empire

  • Period: to Nov 27, 602

    Maurice Rules the Byzantine Empire

  • Period: to

    Leo V rules Empire

    Durring his rule a second round of iconoclasm occurs.
  • Period: to 450

    Theodosius II Rules Empire