Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Isreal

63 BCE

General Pompey conquered Jerusalem in 63 BC. About 10% of the Roman population were Jews. Under Julius Caesar, Judaism was a legal religion in the Empire. Christianity developed from Judaism, worshiping the same God. The main difference is that Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah. With Israel under Roman control, the message of Christianity spread with the help of people like Paul of Tarsus.

Jesus of Nazareth

33

Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem, some time between four and six BC. Christians call him Jesus Christ and Emmanuel. Christians believe that He is the Son of God and He died for our sins. In 33 AD, Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate's rule. Christians believe that he rose from the dead three days later and ascended into Heaven. He has many followers today and Christianity is based around the idea that He is the Son of God.

Paul of Tarsus

33

Paul of Tarsus, previously known as Saul, is a Jew and and Roman. Before he became an apostle, he was devoted to persecuting followers of Jesus. After seeing Jesus alive (after he was crucified), he converted and started preaching about how Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. He wrote many books in the New Testament: Romans, Galatians, First and Second Corinthians, Thessalonians, Philemon, and Philippians.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The Great Fire of Rome started in merchant shops around Circus Maximus on July 19th. It lasted six days, but then reignited and burned for another three. This fire destroyed two thirds of Rome. Nero blamed the Christians for starting the fire, which portrayed his hatred for them. Some believe that he actually started the fire so he could rebuild Rome himself.

Perpetua

203

Vibia Perpetua was a Christian born in 182. She was arrested for being a Christian, but did not deny her religion. Because of this, she was executed and became a Martyr. This means that she willingly died, instead of hiding her religion. This influenced other people by showing that Christianity is a religion worth dying for. She is highly revered by other Christians for standing up for what she believed in.

Great Persecution

303

The Great Persecution, also called the Diocletianic Persecution, lasted from the year 303 to 313. Up to 3,500 Christians were executed during this time. The Emperors that contributed to the persecutions were Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius. This contributed to the growth of Christianity because the message of Christianity brought ones being executed peace. Others watching saw the peace that they had, which appealed to them, also chose to become Christians.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was fought between Constantine and Maxentius on October 28, 312. Before the battle, God sent Constantine a vision. The vision was that if he put the first two letters of God's Roman name on the shields, they would win the battle. After doing so, Constantine won the battle and gained control of all of the Roman Empire. This event was also the start of his conversion to Christianity.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was signed by Emperors Constantine and Licinius in 313. Constantine was the emperor of the West side of Rome, and Licinius was the emperor of the East. This letter legalized the practices of Christianity and other religions in the Roman Empire. I also allowed churches to form. This opposed the Great Persecution, and freedom of religion was born.

Constantine the Great's Rule

Period: 324 to 337

Constantine was born in 272. He started out as the emperor of the Western Roman Empire. In 313, he signed the Edict of Milan, which legalized the practices of Christianity and other religions. After the Battle of Milvian Bridge, he became a Christian. He was the first emperor to not be hostile or indifferent towards Christians. He built the city of Constantinople, with many churches, and moved the capital to it. On his deathbed, he was baptized into the Christian faith.

Emperor Theodosius' Rule

Period: 379 to 395

Theodosius, born in 347, became emperor of Rome in 379. His full name is Flavius Theodosius Augustus. In the year 380, he issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. This made Christianity very popular not only in the Roman Empire, but all of Europe. He was the last emperor to rule the Roman Empire as a whole.