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64 BCE
Great Fire of Rome
When sixteen year old Nero came to power in Rome, he instantly sought out to destroy 1/3 of Rome to build a series of palaces called Necropolis. This was, of course, rejected by his senate, but a catastrophic fire soon began that destroyed 2/3 of the nation. While the government came to the logical assumption Nero was at fault, Nero went on to blame the Christians, leading to their torture, persecution, and extreme discrimination. It ended on July 23. -
64 BCE
Roman Rule of Israel (Time of Conquering)
Rome and Israel had been strong allies during the days of the Roman Republic, but that relationship faltered with the creation of the emperor system. In 64, Roman rule absorbed Israel and instilled an abundance of change into the region. The land was split into five administrative districts to make rebellion far harder, but the conquering still led to the Jewish-Roman wars. -
Period: 4 BCE to 69
Paul of Tarsus - PICTURE IS http://www.renegadetribune.com/paul-tarsus-christianity-jewry/
Paul of present day Turkey, formerly Saul, was a man raised under Jewish beliefs. When sent to study Jewish law abroad, he learned of the Christian faith and relentlessly persecuted its believers. After an encounter with Jesus, the supposed reincarnation of God, he decided to become baptized. He felt as if he had been filled with the Holy Spirit, and so he pulled a complete 180 and advocated for the Christian cause. He is seen today as "proof" in conversion. -
Period: 27 to 29
Jesus of Nazareth - PICTURE AT https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-59/life-times-of-jesus-of-nazareth-christian-history.html
Jesus of Nazareth, commonly known by Christians as Jesus Christ, was a religious figure considered to be the incarnation of God. It is said that Mary, Jesus' mother, did not in fact conceive him, but instead he was properly conceived from a holy spirit or light. He was Jewish throughout all his life, but after his death he created Christianity itself through his disciples claiming to still be in contact with him. (Time period as it is because he began preaching from 27-29 AD) -
203
Perpetua
Perpetua was a Christian martyr from Carthrage. She was arrested after an edict was issued that forbade Christianity, but she told of her experiences imprisoned in a dairy that would go on to inspire many Christians. Copies of her writings are often examined and read in churches today. She died in 203 AD, hence the date. -
303
Great Persecution of 303
Under the rule and enforcement of Diocletian, close to seven thousand Christians were executed and brutally tortured in what was known as the Great Persecution. The causes of this are numerous and still speculated, being the desire to restore unity, the popular polytheistic Roman belief system, and the threat Christians posed to the protection of the state through their reluctance to sacrifice. The pride in which these Christians died, though, inspired citizens uptake their beliefs. -
Period: 306 to 337
Constantine the Great - PICTURE AT http://totallyhistory.com/constantine-the-great/
Constantine became the emperor of Rome in 324, and was the first Roman emperor to adhere to Christianity in a positive light. On one night, before what would be a great battle, Constantine had a vision about the cross emblem being painted on his soldiers' shields. He followed through with this vision and secured a victory, leading him to fuse Christian beliefs into his own life and issue the Edict of Milan in 313. This Edict prevented discrimination entirely for the reason of religion. -
312
Battle of Milvian Bridge
Constantine, the ruler during this time, was about to partake in a battle upon Milvian Bridge when he had a vision of the cross emblem painted upon all of his soldiers' shields. This led to a victory in his dream, and so he had a sudden urge of motivation to paint crosses on all his actual soldiers' shields. They ended up winning the next day, allegedly because of these symbols, leading Constantine to fall into Christianity and eventually issue the Edict of Milan. -
313
Edict of Milan
After Constantine's victory at Milvian Bridge (see event), he was inspired to incorporate Christian beliefs into his own life, which eventually led him to issue the Edict of Milan to attempt to end the persecution Christians had been relentlessly facing. It stated that no discrimination can occur within Rome for the reason of religion, but was only somewhat effective. The message was clear, and the majority of persecution stopped, but Christians still faced many adversities. -
Period: 379 to 395
Emperor Theodosius - PICTURE AT https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/theodosius-0010964
Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica in 380, which, alongside other decrees, made Nicene Christianity the official language of Rome. It followed the Edict of Milan, and may have been inspired by its impact on Christian persecution. The Edict of Thessalonica, however, was made to unite the state after the controversy and division that the combating religions brought upon Rome.
