Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel Begins

57 BCE

The beginning of a relationship between the Romans and the Jews.
-A Roman Procurator was in charge of political, military, and fiscal affairs.
-The meaning of this was to reorganize.
-Cultures began to overlap.
-Hyrcanus was turned into king of Judea.
-The Romans and the Jews started to clash.

Jesus of Nazareth

1 CE

The cause of Christianity.
-Born in Bethlehem
-His main message is acceptance of him and forgiveness.
-Flavius Josephs witnessed Christs existence.
-The 4 gospels tell of his 37 prophecies.
-The messiah prophesied in Hebrew scripture.

Paul of Tarsus

4

Once wanted to destroy all Christians but became one of the churches greatest saints.
-He grew up in a Jewish family.
-When hearing about the work of god Paul began to persecute his followers and tell them they should give up on their religion.
-Paul's interaction with god caused him to converse to Christianity.
-Began to teach about god in different countries.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The Great Fire of Rome was a significant event for Rome.
-Broke out along the shops surrounding the Circus Maximus.
- Fire lasted 6 days but then started up again lasting for another 3 and destroying 2 thirds of Rome.
-Destroyed beloved Monuments, including the 800 year old Temple of Jupitor Stator.
-Nero was blamed for starting the fire because people thought he wanted to take over the Roman Empire.
-Roman Christians predicted the fire due to prophecies they believed in.

Perpetua

182

An inspiration to Christians due to her imprisonment.
-Remembered as a Christian martyr.
-Attended Carthage's church with her family.
-Imprisoned for not following the edict along with 4 other companions.
-She was popular for her influential diary.
-Wrote a diary about her imprisonment, her religion, her companions, her dreams.

Constantine the Great

280

Constantine helped Christians.
-First Roman Emperor to profess Christianity.
-First emperor to practice Christianity.
-Put out an edict that protected Christians.
-Educated in Latin and Greek
-Constantine joined his father (who was the emperor before him), in a military campaign

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

A downfall for Christians but ended in success.
-Most severe prosecution of Christians.
-The beginning of Christianity's termination.
-Festival called Terminalia leading up to the persecution.
-Legal rights were taken away from Christians.
-Galerius became the new emperor and in 311 ce he stopped the persecutions and allowed believers to practice their beliefs and religion in safety.

Battle of Milivian bridge

312

Event that led to faith.
-Everyone in his troops claimed to be emperor and fought for power.
-Maxentius attempted to invade the Milvian Bridge but failed.
-Event led to conversion to conversion to Christianity for Constantine.
-Event was popular for bringing people towards faith.
-Biggest achievement was Constantine becoming a Christian.

Edict of Milan

313

This was freedom for Christians and gave them safety.
-Established security for Christians.
-The result of a political agreement between Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius.
-Granted permission to practice any religion desired freely.
-This gave back Christians legal rights.
-This edict was highly effective.

Emperor Theodosius

347

-Established the creed of the Council of Nicaea.
-Turned into the main of emperor of East and Western Rome.
-Theodosius was born and raised in Spain.
-He thought the military needed to be rebuilt in his eyes.
-Theodosius was emperor by the grace of god and handled conflict with faith.