Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Paul of Tarsus

64 BCE

St. Paul the Apostle, original name Saul of Tarsus, born 4 bce, Tarsus in Cilicia now in Turkey died c. 62–64 ce, Rome Italy 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.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus of Nazareth and was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the central figure of Christianity. Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited Messiah (the Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus Christ, was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the central figure of Christianity. Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited Messiah (the Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament.

Great fire of rome

64

Christians were first and horribly persecuted by the emperor Nero . Christians were first, and horribly, targeted for persecution as a group by the emperor Nero in 64 AD. A colossal fire broke out at Rome, and destroyed much of the city. Over the next hundred years or so, Christians were sporadically persecuted.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Christians were first, and horribly, targeted for persecution as a group by the emperor Nero in 64 AD. A colossal fire broke out at Rome, and destroyed much of the city. ... Over the next hundred years or so, Christians were sporadically persecuted.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Christians were first and horribly targeted for persecution as a group by the emperor Nero in 64 AD. A colossal fire broke out at Rome, and destroyed much of the city. Over the next hundred years or so Christians were sporadically persecuted.

Roman Rule of Israel

66

the First Jewish–Roman War began. The revolt was put down by the future Roman emperors Vespasian and Titus. In the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Romans destroyed much of the Temple in Jerusalem and, according to some accounts, plundered artifacts from the Temple, such as the Menorah.

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

66

In 66 AD, the First Jewish–Roman War began. The revolt was put down by the future Roman emperors Vespasian and Titus. In the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Romans destroyed much of the Temple in Jerusalem and, according to some accounts, plundered artifacts from the Temple, such as the Menorah.

Paul of Tarsus

67

St. Paul the Apostle, original name Saul of Tarsus, born 4 bce Tarsus in Cilicia now in Turkey died c. 62–64 ce, Rome Italy, 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.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua believed to have died in 203 AD were Christian martyrs of the 3rd century. Vibia Perpetua was a married noblewoman, said to have been 22 years old at the time of her death, and mother of an infant she was nursing.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua believed to have died in 203 AD were Christian martyrs of the 3rd century. Vibia Perpetua was a married noblewoman, said to have been 22 years old at the time of her death, and mother of an infant she was nursing.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. In 303, the Emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding Christians legal rights and demanding that they comply with traditional religious practices.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. In 303, the Emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding Christians' legal rights and demanding that they comply with traditional religious practices.

Constantine the Great

312

Constantine now became the Western Roman emperor. He soon used his power to address the status of Christians, issuing the Edict of Milan in 313. This proclamation legalized Christianity and allowed for freedom of worship throughout the empire. For a time Constantine stood by as others ruled the Eastern Roman Empire

Battle of Milan Bridge

312

The battle fought at Milan Bridge outside Rome was a crucial moment in a civil war that ended with Constantine I as sole ruler of the Roman Empire and Christianity established as the empire's official religion. Constantine's conversion to the Cross may have been prompted by a dream of victory

Battle of Milan Bridge

312

The battle fought at Milvian Bridge outside Rome was a crucial moment in a civil war that ended with Constantine I as sole ruler of the Roman Empire and Christianity established as the empire's official religion. Constantine's conversion to the Cross may have been prompted by a dream of victory.

Emperor Theodosius

313

In 313 CE, the emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which granted Christianity—as well as most other religions—legal status. ... In 380 CE, the emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonian, which made Christianity, specifically Nicene Christianity, the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Edict of Milan

313

Edict of Milan, proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Mediolanum (modern Milan).

Constantine the Great

313

Constantine now became the Western Roman emperor. He soon used his power to address the status of Christians, issuing the Edict of Milan in 313. This proclamation legalized Christianity and allowed for freedom of worship throughout the empire. For a time, Constantine stood by as others ruled the Eastern Roman Empire.

Emperor Theodosius

313

In 313 CE, the emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which granted Christianity as well as most other religions legal status. In 380 CE, the emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Christianity, specifically Nicene Christianity, the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Emperor Theodosius

313

In 313 CE, the emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which granted Christianity—as well as most other religions—legal status. ... In 380 CE, the emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Christianity, specifically Nicene Christianity, the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Edict of Milan

313

n that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Mediolanum (modern Milan).

Constantine the Great

313

Constantine now became the Western Roman emperor. He soon used his power to address the status of Christians, issuing the Edict of Milan in 313. This proclamation legalized Christianity and allowed for freedom of worship throughout the empire. For a time, Constantine stood by as others ruled the Eastern Roman Empire.