Religion

  • 64

    < Nero

    Great fire of Rome; Nero launches persecutions of Christians.
  • 70

    Vespasian

    Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus
  • Period: 81 to 96

    Domitian

    Persecution under Domitian
  • 88

    Domitian

    St. Clement I is Pope; restored the Sacrament of Confirmation according to the rite of St. Peter
  • 97

    Domitian

    St. Clement I is martyred
  • 110

    Trajan

    St. Ignatius of Antioch is martyred
  • 112

    Trajan

    Trajans rescript in response to Pliny.
  • 116

    Trajan

    St. Sixus I is pope
  • 123

    Hadrian

    Hadrians rescript
  • 125

    Hadrian

    St. Sixus I died
  • 125

    Hadrian

    St. Telesphorus is pope; he composed the “Gloria In Excelsis Deo”
  • 136

    Hadrian

    St. Telesphorus is martyred.
  • 150

    Antoninus Pius

    St. Justin Martyr dedicated his “First Apology”
  • 155

    Antoninus Pius

    St. Polycarp is martyred
  • 161

    Antoninus Pius

    St. Justin Martyr dedicates his “Second Apology”
  • 180

    Marcus Aurelius

    St. Irenæus writes “Against Heresies”
  • Period: 185 to 254

    Origen

    Origen begins writing
  • 196

    Sept. Serverus

    Tertullian begins writing
  • 203

    Sept. Serverus

    Sts. Perpetua and Felicity are martyred in the arena at Carthage.
  • 251

    Decius

    Edict of Decius orders empire-wide persecution of Christians.
  • 257

    Valerian

    Valerian rescripts
  • 293

    Diocletian (284-305)

    Diocletian creates tetrarchy
  • 303

    Diocletian (284-305)

    “Great persecution” begins under Diocletian.
  • 312

    Battle

    Constantine adopts Christian symbol before battle.
  • 313

    Milan

    Edict of Milan