Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus of Nazareth is also known as Jesus Christ, and he is the central figure of Christianity, believed to be the son of God. He was a religious leader. He died circa 30 AD.

Paul of Tarsus

4 BCE

Paul of Tarsus, also known as St. Paul the Apostle or Saul of Tarsus, was an early follower of Christianity. He was born around 4 BCE and died circa 63 CE. His letters became very important to Christian theology, and he is considered one of the greatest religious leaders of Christianity.

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

63

Rome conquered many lands throughout its time, one of which was Israel or Judea, as the Romans called it. Rome conquered Judea circa 63 CE.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The Great Fire of Rome broke out in 64 AD and lasted for three days. It destroyed a great deal of the city. No one knows it how it began- some blame Nero, the emperor, some believe it may have simply been an accident. Nero himself placed the blame on Christians, capturing and torturing hundreds because he suspected they were involved with the fire.

Perpetua

203

She was a famous martyr. She was a Roman noblewoman and young mother, and a Christian. She was arrested for her faith, and she wrote down an account of her imprisonment. Her father encouraged her to renounce her faith, but she refused to, and was killed, alongside her slave Felicity. Historians do not know when she was born, but we do know she was killed in 203 CE.

The Great Persecution of 303 AD

303

Emperor Diocletian began a great persecution of Christians in an attempt to unite Rome under a single religion. Several thousand Christians were killed. The persecution ended in 313 AD.

Constantine the Great

312

He was also known as Constantine I. He gained control of western Rome in 312 after his father's death. In 324, he became the sole Roman emperor. His biggest accomplishment was supporting and eventually legalizing Christianity throughout Rome. He died in 337.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

Constantine and his army fought against a much larger force for control of western Rome at the battle of Milvian Bridge. Prior to the battle, Constantine saw a vision of a cross, and marked Christian symbols on the shields of his soldiers. When his forces won the battle, Constantine believed it was because the Christian god had helped him.

Edict of Milan

313

Constantine- alongside the emperor of eastern Rome, Licinius- created an edict that made Christianity legal. It was called the Edict of Milan because the two emperors met in Milan. It removed all restrictions on worship, and returned all property that had been taken from the Church.

Emperor Theodosius

347

Also known as Theodosius the Great, he came to power in 347 and ruled until 395. He was the last emperor to rule over both east and western Rome, but his most noteworthy accomplishment was that he made Christianity Rome's official religion. He also tried to eradicate Rome's former polytheistic religion. He died in 395 CE.