Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman rule over Israel

63 BCE

After the Romans took over the majority of the known world, Israel was under Roman rule.Initially, the Jews were allowed to practice their religion freely. After the Rebellion in Judea, changes took place which didn't allow the Jews religious freedom. The Jews and Christians were persecuted for their monotheistic beliefs until the Edict of Milan where they were allowed to practice any religion they wanted to.

Birth of Jesus

6 BCE

Jesus was estimated to have been born around 6 BC. He had 12 apostles who followed him. He preached to large crowds and was considered the Messiah to the Christian religion. He was crucified by the Romans.

Birth of Apostle Paul

4 BCE

Apostle Paul was a follower of Jesus. He spent most of his life persecuting Christians and he was known as Saul. Later, he became a Christian and a follower of Jesus and went on to write many books of the bible.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The flames of the fire raged for about six whole days. Rome often experienced fires but this was a fire greater then ever. The aftermath of the fire was the burning of 10 out of Romes 14 districts. Scholars suggest that Emperor Nero purposefully started the fire so he could rebuild Rome in his image.

Birth of Perpetua

181

Perpetua, a Christian martyr who wrote The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity was born in 181. She was a Christian who lived during Christian persecution and was executed for her faith. Two days before her execution she gave birth to a daughter. She died in 203.

Birth of Constantine

272

Contantine or Constantine the Great was the first Roman emperor to endorse Christianity and allow religious freedom. After receiving signs from the god of Christianity, Constantine became a Christian and created the Edict of Milan which allowed Christians and any other people to practice any religion they wanted to.

Great Persecution

303

During the rule of emperor Diocletian, Christians were heavily persecuted and it was known as the Great Persecution. As opposed to other emperors who did not support Christianity but let it be, emperor Diocletian hated Christianity and persecuted and killed Christians in horrible ways such as being fed to lions.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge, fought by emperor Constantine was the event that led Constantine to become a Christian and create the Edict of Milan. Before the battle he saw a cross in the sky and he felt he had to put the Christian symbols on his soldiers shields. He won the battle.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was a proclamation issued by emperor Constantine which allowed freedom of religion throughout all of Rome. Something that hadn't been for a very long time. It ended the persecution of the Christians and it caused Constantine to create a new capitol of Rome called Constantinople which had various churches.

Birth of Emperor The Theodosus

379

Emperor Theodosius came into power 42 years after Constantine's death. He passed the edict of Thessalonianica which declared Christianity to be the only Roman religion and essentially put polytheistic beliefs out of of Rome.