Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

30

Jesus was a first century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is well known as the central figure of Christianity. Believed to be the incarnation of God. Jesus was sacrificed on a cross and then rose to life again. Jesus told his disciples to spread his gospel.

Paul of Tarsus

62

Paul was an apostle who spread the gospel of Jesus to the first century world. Paul was both a Jew and a Roman citizen so he could minister and share Jesus's gospel to both the Romans and Jews. Paul was originally dedicated to persecuting the early disciples of Jesus. Paul then met Jesus on the road to Damascus and was struck blind. When his sight was returned to him he dedicated his life to spreading Jesus's gospel.

Great Fire of Rome

64

In 64 AD a massive fire began in the merchant shops around Rome's chariot stadium, Circus Maximus. The fire went on to destroy two-thirds of Rome due to poorly built homes. The emperor at the time, was Nero who was known for being cruel and tyrannic. He blamed the fire on the Christians which sparked much persecution for the Christians living in Rome. Nero was rumored to have started the fire with the intention of blaming it on the Christians .

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

66

the Romans granted the Hasmonean king, Hyrcanus II, limited authority under the Roman governor of Damascus. The Jews were hostile to the new leader. A last attempt to restore the former glory of the Hasmonean dynasty was made by Mattathias Antigonus, whose defeat and death brought Hasmonean rule to an end (40 BCE), and the Land became a province of the Roman Empire.

Perpetua

203

Christian martyr who wrote The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, a journal recounting her trial and imprisonment that was continued by a contemporary who described Perpetua’s death in the arena.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The Diocletianic or Great Persecution was the last and worst of the persecutions of Christians in the Roman Empire. During the reign of Diocletian many laws and edicts were passed destroying the rights of Christians.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

Emperor Constantine the great went to war with Maxentius, a power monger. Constantine had a vision that if he used the mark of the Christian religion he would win the battle. Constantine did win and dedicated his victory to the God of the Christians. Soon after he passed the Edict of Milan which granted Christians rights within the Roman empire.

Edict of Milan

313

Passed soon after the battle of Milvian Bridge, allowed Christians more rights within the Roman Empire. It was issued in February, 313 AD and overall, stopped the persecution of Christians.

Constantine the Great

337

Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. He lived the majority of his life as a pagan but then converted on his deathbed. He won the battle of Milvian Bridge which ultimately resulted in the creation of the Edict of Milan.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius issued decrees that effectively made Nicene Christianity the official state church of the Roman Empire. In 393, he banned the pagan rituals of the Olympics in Ancient Greece. He also drove out and persecuted pagans throughout his empire.