Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel

63 BCE

As soon as the Romans conquered Jerusalem more Jews started to move to Jerusalem. During the Roman rule of Israel Jewish people thrived and Jerusalem was very prosperous. The Jewish community contained thousands of citizens. After the Edict of Milan was created the Romans started to Persecute the Jews. Jewish people were taken to Rome to work as slaves or be prisoners.

Jesus of Nazareth

1 CE

Jesus is the central figure of Christianity. Jesus was a preacher and religious leader. People in the Christian religion worship Jesus. Christians believe that he is the incarnation of God the Son. Jesus is also said to be a prophet.

Paul of Tarsus

5

Paul of Tarsus was a follower of Jesus. Paul of Tarsus was one of the leaders of the Christians. He is said to have been one of the most important people in Christianity. Paul turned Christianity into what it is today. He traveled tens of thousands of Miles around the Mediterranean spreading the word of Jesus.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Nero was blamed for the fire because he wanted to build Rome to his liking, but Nero blamed the Christians for the Fire that destroyed much of Rome. The fire started in a merchant shop around Rome's chariot stadium.

Perpetua

182

Perpetua was born with a lot of money. She had a family and was Christian. Perpetua was put to death in Carthage, Africa when she was twenty two. She is remembered for being a great person that was put to death for just being Christian.

Constantine the Great

272

Constantine is best known for being the first Christian emperor of Rome. He also stopped the persecutions of Christians throughout his empire. When Constantine was emperor he made it illegal to persecute Christians.

The Great Persecution

303

The Great Persecution was the last and worst punishment for Christians in Rome. Thousands of Christians died from many different punishments.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

This is the battle that ended the war between the western empire ruled by Constantine and eastern empire ruled by Maxentius. Constantine won and ruled all of Rome and when he was emperor he made it illegal to persecute Christians.

Edict of Milan

313

This was a letter that Constantine and Lucius signed. This letter stopped the persecutions of Christians throughout the Roman Empire. This letter also mandated that Christianity was legal and anyone could participate in the religion. The Edict of Milan also mandated everything taken from the churches during persecutions must be given back or restored.

Emperor Theodosius

347

Theodosius was the last emperor to rule over the western and eastern halves of Rome. Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of Rome. Theodosius also stopped the official persecution of Christians in Rome.