Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

The Beginning of Roman Rule in Israel

27 BCE

During the Roman Rule of Israel, beginning in 27 BCE and ending in 476 CE, the Jews traveled to the Roman Empire, becoming a welcome and huge part of the Roman Society. Under Julius Caesar, Judaism became an official legalized religion, however, tensions between Jews and Romans became great and many wars between the two broke out. Finally, when Constantine legalized Christianity and moved the Roman capital to Constantinople, Judaism was officially persecuted by Christian Emperors.

Jesus Nazareth

4 BCE

Believed to be the son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, or sometimes known as Jesus Christ, was born in 4 BC and a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He became a central figure of Christianity and orally preached until he was killed by crucifixion as a sacrifice.

Paul of Tarsus

30

Paul of Tarsus was known for founding many churches in Asia Minor and Europe in the time of the mid-30s and mid-40s AD. Since he was both Jewish and Roman, he was able to minister both Jewish and Roman audiences. Also, in the Jerusalem area, he was dedicated to persecuting Jesus disciples after seeing Jesus himself and getting a message from him. Paul of Tarsus, or Saul of Tarsus, has 13 of the 26 books in the New Testament attributed to him.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Great Fire of Rome was supposedly started by Nero who wanted to redesign Rome. 65% of the city burnt down in 6 days, and mobs stopped people from putting out the fires. The only part of Rome that didn't burn was the Christian area, which Nero used as a scapegoat, claiming they burnt the city. This was the beginning of the first organized Christian Persecution.

Perpetua

203

A 22-year-old Roman noblewoman, Perpetua was a nursing mother who was killed around 203 AD because she wouldn't give up her religion. Her diary tells about her life as she was imprisoned. The final part of her diary, written by someone else, tells about how Perpetua and her slave, Felicity, also a nursing mother, were thrown to beasts and survived, then they were killed by a sword. The story of Perpetua and Felicity was one of the reasons Christianity started to become popular.

The Great Persecution

303

In 303 AD, several thousand Christians were killed during the Great Persecution. Rome was re-unifying under the belief of the same gods, and the Christians were a threat to this cause. But, even though it's survival was threatened, it eventually triumphed and grew.

Constantine the Great

312

Constantine's reign began when a series of civil wars between four emperors, all wanting control, broke out. He had a vision, then dream of Christ wanting to help his troops before he battled Maxentius, Con.'s troops won the battle with symbols of Christ on their shields (312), and he began to believe more in Christ. he built Constantinople and created Edict of Milan (313) to support the Christians.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

In Ponte Milvio, Italy Constantine and Maxentius were fighting against each other, in the Battle of Milvian Bridge. Constantine had his vision and dream of Christ the day before, and when he put the first two symbols of Christ's name on his soldier's shields his side won. This is the turning point in history when Constantine took rule over Rome, and when the Christians saw the end of their persecutions.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan, created by Constantine and Licinius, made Christianity legal (removing all restrictions on Christians) after Constantine's victory under the supposed "guiding had of Christ". When Lucinius wanted to take back the Edict, the two emperors battled, and when Constantine won, it re-confirmed his belief that Christ was on his side.

Theodosius

346

Born in Cauca, Spain in 346, and ended up being the final emperor of Rome. In 364-375, he was exiled back to Spain by Emperor Valentinian who also killed his father. When V. died, Theodosius was invited back to Rome where he gained new titles, and eventually became emperor. In 391 he put an end to Pagan practices and the Olympic Games, establishing Catholicism as the state religion.