Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel

57 BCE

Fearful of an uprising or rebellion, Julius Caesar ordered for the Israelite state of Judea to be conquered. After doing so, the Jews were then oppressed until, for the most part, up until Constantine granted religious freedom in the Roman Empire. The majority of Jews eventually traveled North and even into modern day Europe. The most gruesome of the governors of the Israel region was Herod, who ordered all babies under two in the year 0 B.C. to be killed, attempting to find a murder Jesus.

Jesus of Nazareth

30

Living the first thirty years of his life as carpenter, Jesus began his three year ministry at the age of thirty. During this time, he helped the poor and healed the sick. At the age of thirty-three, he was betrayed by the disciple Judas and turned in to religious leaders who then imprisoned him for false crimes. After being ruled guilty in court, the Romans then hung him on a cross, where he died. Three days later, he rose from the dead and stayed for several weeks before returning to heaven.

Paul the Apostle

60

Paul of Tarsus, formerly named Saul, was a saint who spread God's word across the Roman Empire and beyond. Prior to his name change, Saul facilitated the beating and murder of Christians in and around Tarsus. In a vision, God asked him to preach his message. Awestruck, Saul changed his name to Paul as instructed and began to spread the word of God. He is most famous for his role in growing and starting churches in the Roman Empire. Paul was beheaded shortly after the Great Fire of Rome.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Now known as the Great Fire of Rome, the six day fire burned down much of the city. Many scholars believe that Nero started the fire, as he had plans to rebuild the city that the Senate deemed to expensive. If the city was already burned down, he would have to rebuild it. Because he most likely did this, Nero blamed a group of Christians that miraculously survived the fire. Most of them were burned at the stake. This was one of the first governmental attempts to persecute Christians.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua, a Christian noblewoman, lived with her husband, son and slave, Felicitas, in Carthage in 203. At the time, Carthage and the majority of North Africa was home to many Christians, which in turn sparked conflict when Emperor Semptimius Severus decided to take action against the growing religion. Perpetua, among many others including her slave Felicitas, were put in the gladiator arena where they were tortured and then executed. This was part of many large scale persecutions of the time.

The Great Persecution

303

In 303, the Emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius and Constantius issued multiple edicts that were designed to persecute Christians. Christians who violated these outrageous edicts were put into the gladiator arena for entertainment or burned at the stake. This was the last of the large scale persecutions.

Constantine the Great

312

While many previous emperors persecuted Christians, Constantine embraced them. After having a vision, a dream and a winning battle, Constantine was convinced that Christianity was great. He ended all persecution of Christians and any other religious groups. He then proceeded to build a new capital to the east, Constantinople, where many churches and monuments were built to honor God. Constantine first instituted a very loose version of Christianity, but then became the true version later on.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was a battle between Roman Emperors Constantine and Maxentius, where Constantine saw a vision from God. After winning the battle, Constantine was convinced that God was the way. Christianity was then associated with the Roman Government and promoted across the Empire

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was instituted by Roman Emperors Constantine and Licinius, declaring relative religious freedom throughout all of Rome. This was the end of the unfair persecution of Christians across Rome, seen most prominently in the reign of Diocletian.

Emperor Theodosius

392

Emperor Theodosius, the last of the Eastern and Western Emperors of Rome, punished pagan worshipers and heavily promoted Christianity.