“Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire”

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

63 BCE

The Roman Empire controlled Judea and Galilee in ancient Isreal. The Jews wished someone would rescue them from the cruel treatment they were receiving. In 30 AD Jesus began to travel through Judaea and Galilee. He gathered disciples and told stories about God. His influence began to grow and the Romans saw him as a threat to their power. On Passover, Jesus was arrested for treason and sentenced to death by crucifixion. After his death his followers created Christianity.

Jesus of Nazareth

30

Jesus Christ is the founder of Christianity. The Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. The religion Christianity states that Christ is the son of God and God Incarnate. Christianity is widely spread around the world and still practiced today.

Paul of Tarsus

36

On his way to Damascus, Christ appeared to him and he converted to Christianity. After he converted he brought the gospel to Damascus and Arabia. He established many Christian communities. He was later martyred by Nero in 67

Great Fire of Rome

64

Rumor has it, that Emperor Nero supposedly initiated the Great Fire of Rome. Most of Rome was burned to the ground after 6 days. The only part that wasn't was the Christian community. Nero blamed the Christians for initiating the fire. Thsi was the first persecution agints Christians.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua was a noblewoman who was killed with her slave Felicity. She was murdered because she was a Christian. Perpetua had the option to plead that she was not but, she stayed true to her faith even when it meant death or life.

Great Persecution of 303 AD

303

The Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians. It resulted in torture, death, imprisonment, dislocation for many Christians, and the splitting of churches.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The night before the battle, Constantine the Great saw a vision which proclaimed that he would win. If he painted Chi-Rho (which is the first two letters in Christ's name) on his soldier's shields than he would win the battle. This event later inspired him to issure the Edict of Milan, in order to honor the Christian God.

Constantine the Great

313

Before the Battle of the Mivian Bridge, Constantine saw a vision. It assured him that he would win the battle in the name of the Christian God. After he won he wanted to honor the Christian God so he issued the Edict of Milan. The Edict of Milan proclaimed religious toleration in the Roman Empire. This allowed the Christians to practice freely with no persecutions.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was a letter signed by the Emperors Licinius and Constantine.It inforced religios toleration in the Roman Empire. The letter was issued in February, 313 AD after Diocletian stopped the unfair treatment Christians were recieving.

Emperor Theodosius

450

Emperor was the last to rule when Rome was a united empire. He established Christianity as the state's religion. He defended it against Arianism and paganism. He ruled a dynasty in the west and east until 450 AD.