Rise of Christianity in Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

63 BCE

The Roman Empire took over Israel in 63 BC. Judea was ruled by a Roman who managed the military, money, and political affairs. The reorganization of Judea was keep people from resisting. Cesar gave areas back to Judea and appointed Hyrcanus ii. He was a weak ruler. During his rule the state expanded a lot.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish preacher and was born in the year 4 BC. He is the center of the Christian religion and was arrested by the Jewish authorities. Jesus debated with other Jews on how to follow god the best. He was given to the roman government and crucified. Jesus is thought to have come back to life on the third day of being dead.

Great Fire of Rome

64

This was huge a fire that occurred in Rome for 6 days. The fire started in a district near the Palatine Hill. 3 of Romes districts were completely burnt down but only 4 were untouched. out of this fire hundreds were killed and many became homeless. Nero the emperor blamed the fire on the Christians, this framing lead to the hardship the Christians faced, many were killed and tortured.

Paul of Tarsus

64

Paul of Tarsus was killed in the year 64 AD.Paul was both a jew and a roman citizen. He founded many churches in Europe and Asia Minor. Paul wanted to persecute the disciples of Jesus but Jesus met him after being resurrected and made Paul go blind for 3 days. Paul then started saying Jesus was the son of god.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua was killed in 203. It is believed that she was 22 when she died. She was a mother when she died. She was killed in Carthage along with many others. Christians were executed at the military games.

Great Persecution

303

The Great Persecution was the last persecution of the Christians in the Roman Empire. A general persecution of Christians was enlisted on February 24, 303 AD. A majority of the Roman's Christians were able to escape punishment. The persecution had caused some churches to split in to two groups, "Pure" and not pure. Constantine became emperor. His favorite religion was Christianity.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

Constantine won the battle between him and Maxentius. Maxentius drowned in the Tiber where he was then found and decapitated. Constantine became the one ruler of Rome. Constantine had a vision of god and this started his conversion to Christianity. He painted the letters of Christ on his soldiers shields.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan gave religious freedom to everyone in the Roman Empire. It was signed by Constantine and Licinius who were both emperors. Constantine gave favors to the Christians and the churches. Property that was taken was given back to the Christians. Before the Edict of Milan there was another edict of toleration but it didn't give favors only an indulgence.

Constantine The Great

337

Constantine died in 337. Before his death he became ruler in the West and the East of the Roman Empire. He separated the military authorities from the civil authorities. Constantine introduced a new gold coin to combat inflation. He was the first Emperor to convert to Christianity. He was a big part in the instating of the Edict of Milan.

Emperor Theodosius

395

Emperor Theodosius died in 395. He was the last emperor to rule both the East and West parts of the empire. During his campaign he went against the goths and barbarians who had entered the Roman Empire. He didn't punish or prevent the destroying of the Hellenistic temples. He banned the pagan rituals in the Olympics. He made Nicene Christianity the state church of the Roman Empire.