Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

64 BCE

Jesus Christ, also known as Jesus of Nazareth, was a Jewish Religious leader who became a central figure in Christianity, regarded by most Christian branches as God Himself. He is also Considered an important prophet in Muslim Tradition and the precursor of Prophet Muhammad. The life of Jesus began in north and central Palestine. This region was under Roman control since the 1st century BCE, initially as a tributary Kingdom.

Paul of Tarsus

4 BCE

Paul of Tarsus was one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians, often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the History of Christianity. In his surviving letters, he wrote to the Corinthians he knew that he had known nothing about them "except Jesus Crhist, and him crucified". Since Jesus was raised and still lives he could return to rescue believers at the time of the Final Judgment.

Great Fire of Rome

64

This fire started on the night of July 19th and stopped July 23rd. History blamed Nero for the reason of this fire because he wanted to bypass the senate and rebuild Rome to his liking. This Fire started in the vast Circus Maximus Stadium in Rome. When the fire ended, 10 of Romes 14 districts were destroyed in the fire. Two thirds of rome were underneath the fire, burning it all down.

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

66

The first Jewish-Roman war began in 66 AD. The revolt was out down by the future Roman Emperors Vespasian and Titus. Banished from Jerusalem, which was renamed Aelia Captolina, the Jewish population now centered on Galilee, initially at Yavneh. Julius Caesar restored certain territories to Judea and appointed Hycranus II, ruler of the nation.

Perpetua

182

Perpetua was a christian noblewoman who, at the turn of the third century, lived with her husband, her son, and her slave, Felicitas, in Carthage. She was to be arrested by Emperor Septimius Severus to take classes to prepare for Baptism. Her father immediately came to her in prison and saw an easy way for Perpetua to save herself. Simply deny she was a christian.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The Diocletianic or the Great Persecution was the last and most severe Persecution of the Christians in the roman empire. In 303 CE, the Emperors Diocletian, Constaintius, Maximian, and Galerius issued a series of high officials proclaiming a cancel against Christians' legal rights and demanding that they obey with traditional religious practices. Most Christians did not comply with the practices and were killed. 3,000-3,500 Christians were killed in this persecution.

Constantine the Great

306

Constantine The Great was a Roman Emperor who ruled between 306 and 337 AD. Constantine The Great was the first emperor to convert to Christianity. He played an influential role in the proclamation of the Edict of Milan 313. Declaring religious tolerance for Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius on 28 October 312. Constantine won the battle and started the path that led him to end the Tetrarchy and become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. It is well known that on the night of October 27th with the armies preparing for the battle, Constantine had a vision which led to him being able to fight under the protection of the Christian God. However, that vision differs when told by different reports

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was a letter signed by the Roman Emperors Constantine and Licinius, that proclaimed religious toleration in the roman Empire. This stopped the persecution of Christians. More in detail, it granted all people freedom to worship whomever they wished, assured Christians of legal rights, and directed the prompt return to Christians of confiscated property.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius was an emperor who ruled from 379 to 395. In 380, The Roman Emperor issued the Edict of Milan. During a serious illness, Theodosius had accepted Christian baptism. In 380, he proclaimed himself a Christian of the Nicene Creed, and he called a council at Constantinople to put an end to the Arian heresy (which, contrary to Nicene doctrine, claimed Jesus was created), which had divided the empire for over half a century.