Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman rule of Israel

63 BCE

-Pompey conquered Jerusalem in 63 BC
-Julius Caesar defeated Pompey in 45 BC
-Romans ruled Israel until 313 AD
-Judea was most significant
-Israel was ruled by Rome when Jesus was born

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

-Central figure of Christianity
-Jewish preacher and religious leader
-Christians believe he was conceived of the holy spirit and born of the Virgin Mary
-Baptized by John the Baptist
-Christianity is the biggest religion in the world

Paul of Tarsus

10

-commonly-known as Saint Paul
-Taught the gospel of Christ
-13/27 books in the New Testament have been attributed to Paul
-Founded several churches in Asia Minor and Europe
- Died in 64 or 67 AD

Great Fire of Rome

64

-July 18, 64 - July 24, 64
-People of the city blame it on Nero
-Nero blames it on Christians
-6 days long
-Fire started at the Circus Maximus

Perpetua

181

-Was a Christian martyr
-died at 22
-was put to death at Carthage
-Married noblewoman
-was a martyr with Felicity

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

-Last and most severe persecution of Christians
-Christians were trying to unite the empire
-Diocletian wanted to take over Rome
-Tried to avoid killing Christians then killed them
-Most strategic persecution yet

Constantine the great

306

-Roman emperor
-Ruled from 306-377 AD
-Born in Naissus
-Helped with Edict of Milan
-Lead Romans at battle of Milvian bridge
-Saw a cross in the sky that said "In this sign you will conquer"
-Had a dream to put first to letters of Christs name on army's shields

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

-Between Constantine and Maxentius
-Takes its name from an important route over the Tiber
-Started Constantine on the path the led him to end the Tetrarchy.
-Constantine became sole emperor of Rome
-Constantine saw a cross in the sky that said "in this sign conquer"

Edict of Milan

313

-Letter signed by Constantine and Licinius
-Proclaimed religious toleration in the Roman Empire
-Stopped persecution of Christians
-The cross Constantine saw at the battle of Milvian Bridge helped lead to this
-Were in Milan to celebrate the marriage of Constantine's sister and Licinius

Emperor Theodosius

379

-Emperor from 379-395
-Last emperor to rule over both eastern and western halves
-campaigned against goths and other barbarians
-made Nicene Christianity the official state church of the roman empire
-solved the gothic problem