Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazereth

1 CE

Jesus of Nazareth also is called Jesus, Jesus Christ, or Jesus of Galilee. Jesus is regarded by most Christians as the Incarnation of God. He was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the central figure of one of the world's most major religions, Christianity. The titles "Anointed one" or "Messiah" was given to him by his disciples after his death and resurrection.

Paul of Tarsus

10

Had names such as St. Paul the Apostle and Saul the Tarsus. Often called the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity. An apostle who taught the gospel of Christ to the first-century world. Traveled tens of thousands of miles around the Mediterranean spreading the word of Jesus. The exact details of his death are unknown, but tradition holds he was beheaded in Rome.

Roman Rule of Israel

64

Roman general Pompey established the Roman province of Syria in 64 BC. Throughout the book of Acts, Israel was under Roman rule. Rome wrested the region from Syria in 64 BC. In the year 66 AD the Jews of Judea rebelled against their Roman masters. In victory, the Romans slaughtered thousands. Jerusalem important to Christianity because that is where Jesus Christ was brought occasionally as a child. Jews moved to Rome in response to economic hardship and incessant warfare.

Great Fire of Rome

64

When the fire was extinguished six days later, 10 of Rome’s 14 districts were burned. Nero blamed the Christians for this disaster. Ancient historians blamed Rome’s emperor at the time, Nero, for the fire. Modern historians don't believe that Nero started the fire as many of the buildings in ancient Rome were poorly constructed apartments that could catch fire easily, and a fire in one would quickly engulf the whole block.

Perpetua

181

She was a Christian Martyr. He was put to death for religious convictions. She was a married noblewoman, said to have had an infant child at the time of her death at the age of 22. Perpetua's diary is the oldest preserved written work by a Christian woman. Christian martyrs like herself helped strengthen and grow the numbers in the church.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The Diocletianic persecution was viewed by Christians as the culmination of all previous attempts to purge them from society. Both Eusebius and Cyprian further claim that Valerian pushed many Christians to martyrdom or apostasy. No one was safe from the decision. Galerius took over control of the eastern half of the Empire and continued the persecution until 311 when he issued an edict of toleration. This legislation targeted senior clerics and church property.

Constantine the Great

312

He was a Christian from the year 312 until he died. He had religious tolerance with both pagans and Christians. His mother was a devout Christian, and after Constantine became emperor, he sent her on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where she had built the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem. Some claim that he wasn't baptized until he was on his death bed. He is credited by many historians with making Christianity the official religion of the empire.

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge

312

This was a battle between Constantine and Maxentius for the sole leader of Rome. Constantine was very outnumbered going into the battle. The outcome of the battle was a victory for Constantine. His career as an emperor after that is very long. A dream a few nights before the battle made Constantine think to put crosses on the shields of his men. Christianity was established as the empire's official religion

Edict of Milan

313

It was the outcome of a political agreement between the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius. The Edict of Milan established religious toleration of Christianity within the Roman Empire. The Edict of Milan, in a way, paved the way for the extremely fast spread of Christianity. The Edict of Milan was the transition to the era of the Christian Empire. The two emperors were in Milan, where the edict was signed for Licinius' wedding with Constantine's sister.

Emperor Theodosius

347

Theodosius, also known as Theodosius the Great, was a Roman Empire from 379 to 395. Reunited the eastern and western roman empire. He was the last emperor of both parts of the empire. After his death, the two sides split, permanently. Issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. Withdrew state support for all other religions that were not Christianity.