Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel(beginning)

63 BCE

Roman rule over Israel lasted from 63 BCE til 313 CE
In 4 BCE, Judea was under direct Roman rule, angering the Jews due to suppression and sporadic violence against them
This resulted in a full-scaled revolt in 66 CE. The Romans retaliated by burning Jerusalem to the ground in 70 CE and defeating the last Jewish outpost at Masada in 73 CE
Several Jews were sold as slaves and many perished. Rome renamed Judea to Palaestinia and Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina
Even through all this, Judaism survived

Birth of Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Born to virgin Mary in a barn in Bethlehem.
He was arrested by the Jewish authorities and sent to the Romans where he was crucified and died in 30/33 CE
Jesus was a Jewish preacher and religious preacher, but became a central figure in Christian religion
Modern scholars agree Jesus existed historically
After he died, his followers believe he rose from the dead; this community founded the first Christian Church
His resurrection celebrated as Easter, Birthday as Christmas and Death as Good Friday

The Great Fire of Rome

64

65% of Rome was burned down
The fire raged for 6 days from July 18th, 64 til July 23 64.
Christians were blamed because their area wasn't burned... used as scapegoats.
However, the burning was believed to be Emperor Nero who did it because he wanted to rebuild the city, but the senate didn't allow him to, so he burned the city probably thinking: "Now they HAVE to rebuild it!"
Someone recounted Nero playing his fiddle while watching Rome burn.

Paul of Tarsus

64

64 or 67 CE is when Paul of Tarsus died.
A figure who had Roman citizenship and was Jewish.
Considered one of the most important figures in the Apostolic Age because he developed a bunch of churches in Asia Minor and Europe.
13/27 books in the New Testament have been attributed to Paul.
Paul is arguably the most influential of all New Testament authors, his writings were influential in both eastern and western culture.
His writings focused crucifixion and Christ's resurrection

Perpetua

203

Perpetua, also known as Vibia Perpetua, was a Christian Martyr in the 3rd century.
Wrote The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, which recounted her trial and imprisonment.
She lived at the time of Emperor Septimius Severus who wanted to cripple the Christian religion in Northern Africa, which was where she lived.
Showed courage and faith by admitting she was Christian and refusing to make a sacrifice leaving her child as an orphan when she was slain in the arena
Her father wasn't Christian

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The persecution of Christians, who were the scapegoats yet again.
This was due to the economic crisis in Rome.
Christians were thrown into the Coliseum to be burned to death on crosses or ripped to shreads by lions and other exotic animals.
This was the last and most severe prosecution of the Christians.
The Prosecutions were made by emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius which limbited Christian rights and forced them to comply with traditional Roman religious practices.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

A battle raged between Constantine I and Maxmentius
Named after Milvian Bridge, which was an important route over the Tiber river.
This was the first battle that lead Constantine I to be the sole ruler over all of Rome.
Constantine I dedicated this win to the Christian vision Constantine had previously which said: "in hoc signo vinces" which meant "in this sign, you shall conquer" in English
Maxmentius drowned in the Tiber river, which was later fished out and decapitated.

Edict of Milan

313

Enables freedom and toleration of religion in Rome and stopped the persecution of Christians.
Signed by Constantine I and Licinius.
The exact words of the original document is unknown.
Followed the Edict of Toleration which allowed indulgence not favors, whereas the Edict of Milan did allow special favors.
Granted the restoration of Christian churches and special favors to the Christian Church and its members.

Constantine the Great

337

337 CE is when Constantine died after his 31 year rule over Rome.
Constantine was the first Roman ruler to accept and covert to the Christian religion
Had a vision stating: "in hoc signo vinces" which means "in this (sign) conquer" leading him to become Rome's sole ruler.
Created the Edict of Milan with Licinius, who was the ruler of the Balkans, which allowed for freedom and tolerance of religion and stopped the prosecutions of Christians.
Strengthened financial, social, and military reforms

Emperor Theodosius

395

The last emperor to rule the united Roman Kingdom.
Made Christianity the state religion and defended it against Paganism and Arianism.
He campaigned against the Gauls and Barbarians, but didn't have enough resources coming to a stale mate.
Died from edema(swelling of the cells)
The Roman empire was ruled by a 18 and 10 year old after he died, who both showed no ruling power which ended in a series of multiple disasters.