Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

By Acillatem
  • Period: 4 BCE to 30

    Jesus of Nazareth

    Jesus was a Jewish preacher and religious figure. He is the central belief figure of Christianity, where he is believed to be the incarnation of God on Earth.
  • Period: 4 BCE to 68

    Paul of Tarsus

    Paul of Tarsus founded several churches in Europe and other places. He was both a Jew and Roman citizen, so he had a larger audience. Jesus appeared to him in a bright light and he was blinded. His sight was restored after three days and he began to preach about Jesus of Nazareth
  • 44

    Roman Rule of Israel

    Roman Rule of Israel
    Judea became a Roman Province when Herod Agrippa, the King of the Jews died. It fell back under direct Roman control.
  • 64

    Great Fire of Rome

    Great Fire of Rome
    In 64 CE, a massive fire laid waste to Rome. No-one knows for sure who started the fire, but it was most likely the Emperor Nero so he could have an excuse to rebuild Rome the way he wanted to without having to go through the Senate. He then proceeded to blame the Christians, whose area was completely untouched by the fire.
  • 203

    Perpetua

    Perpetua
    Vibia Perpetua was a Christian woman who was executed at the Emperor Septimus Severus' birthday.
  • 303

    The Great Persecution of 303

    The Great Persecution of 303
    Prior to Constantine legalizing Christianity in Rome, a great many Christians were punished for their practices. They were burnt at the stake, thrown into the Colosseum, and crucified.
  • 312

    Battle of the Milvian Bridge

    Battle of the Milvian Bridge
    The Battle of the Milvian Bridge was the result of two conflicting emperors, Constantine I and Maxentius in 312 CE. During the battle Maxentius was drowned in the Tiber River and his head was later paraded through the streets of Rome.
  • 313

    Constantine the Great

    Constantine the Great
    Constantine the Great was a Roman Emperor from 306-337 CE. He was a pagan monotheist until he had a vision of a cross in the sky, then a dream about the Christian God. After experiencing this, he had his soldiers shields marked with the Christian symbol, and was henceforth known as the first Christian Roman Emperor. He changed laws regarding Christians and legalized the religion.
  • 313

    Edict of Milan

    Edict of Milan
    The Edict of Milan was document signed by the Emperors Constantine and Licinius, which stopped the unfair treatment of Christians in Rome.
  • 395

    Theodosius I

    Theodosius I
    Theodusius was the Emperor of Rome from 379-395 CE. He led a campaign against the Goths, who invaded Rome in 395. He was the last emperor to rule over both East and West halves of the Roman Empire.