Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel

63 BCE

Rome's rule in Israel did not begin until 63 BCE, when Julius Caesar appointed Hyrcanus ll to rule over Israel who soon passed his rule down to his step son Herod, who ruled during the beginning of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the birth of Christianity. Rome's rule over Israel enforced taxes ad burdens on people of Israel, including the first Christians.

Jesus of Nazareth

33

Jesus of Nazareth was born on 0 BCE and is at the center of the Christian religion. During his 33 year ministry on Earth, he gathered 12 apostles which led on to preach the gospel. He did many miracles and was crucified by the Romans in 33 CE, in which marked the beginning of the Christian persecution and hatred, for the Jewish pharisees hated Jesus and accused him of blasphemy. Many believed of Jesus' words of salvation and begun meeting as early Christians.

Paul of Tarsus

62

Paul of Tarsus began as Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted the early Christians, who had a change of heart when visited by Jesus Christ and was converted and became very involved in preserving the church, in which he became a church leader widely known and looked up to despite his upbringing and early history. He was the first official church leader and was later martyred in 62 CE.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The Great Fire of Rome of 64 CE burned two thirds of Rome in 9 days, which was arguably started by Nero, in an attempt to build the city to his liking when it burned, but used it as a reason to persecute the Christians in many ways such as feeding them to lions in the Colosseum are burning them in torches.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua was one of the early martyrdom of Christianity in 203 CE, though not much is known about most of her life, her execution was instituted by Emperor Septimius Severus at the turn of the century from North Africa, she was taken to prison where if she denied her faith she would have been released, but would not and her faith was an example to many. She was able to escape death by the beasts, but later was slew by the sword.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

Under the rule of Diocletian in 303 CE many Christians were persecuted and martyred, in the hope to squash the religion of Christianity and the rise there of, at this time many Christians went into hiding to avoid the persecution, and despite the Emperor's best efforts Christianity still prevailed and the believes kept on staying true to the religion.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was a great successful battle fought by Constantine the Great and Maxentius came to war. Right before the battle, Constantine had a vision of a cross and heard the words (translated to English) "In this sign conqueror" and he was instructed to but the christian symbol of a X and P on all of his men's shields, in which promoted Christianity when they defeated Maxentius, and with the promotion of Christianity to win the fight.

Constantine the Great

312

Constantine the Great on his great battle for power on Milvian Bridge in 312 CE in which he had a vision and dream to put the christian symbol on all of his men's shields and that they might conquer with it, which they were successful and promoted Christianity throughout Rome, leading to more popular practices of Christianity and more places of worship were built by Constantine the Great.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was created by Constantine the Great and Licinius after the great defeat at the Battle of Milvian, in which gave Rome its first form of religious freedom, allowing all Christians to worship where they want, allowing them to worship how ever they want, and where ever they want, and this Edict brought Christians across the Empire out of hiding from the Great Persecution, and they openly worshiped.

Emperor Theodosius

347

Emperor Theodosius, born in 347 CE, during his reign tried to institute the creed of the Council of Nicaea, which would set a place and foundation for the formation of the Orthodox church, and the second general council of the church was founded in Constantinople, this contribution made the religion much more wide spread and open to all parts of the Roman world, even setting foundations for the organization of the church instead of just a spread of Christians.