Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Rome gained rule of Israel

63 BCE

Rome gained control of Isreal in 63 BC. The Roman general Pompey took control of Israel from Syrian rule. Rome lost control in 4th century AD. Israel is the birthplace of the Jewish religion. The Jewish High Priest Hyrcanus II sent an army that saved Julius Ceasar and Cleopatra during the siege of Alexandria in 47 BC.

Jesus begins his ministry

27

Jesus began his ministry around 27 AD. His ministry ended in 30-36 AD when he was crucified by the Romans. Jesus was a first-century teacher and preacher and a central part of the Christian religion. He traveled around ancient Israel and taught mainly with parables. His followers started the Christian church after the death of Christ.

Paul of Tarsus

31

Paul of Tarsus was converted to Christianity around 31-36. He traveled around Israel and preached of the life and teachings of Christ. In Acts, it was written that Paul was blinded by Jesus in heaven (after Jesus was persecuted) for three days then he was healed and baptized by Ananias of Damascus. 7 books in the bible have been said to be written by Paul, 7 others have been said to be about or for paul. The seven written about Paul have been said to be more accurate.

Great fire of Rome

64

The Great Fire of Rome began on July 18, 64 AD and lasted six days. The fire is thought to began because of Emporer Nero. The fire was started in some shops were they stored flammable objects. The night of the fire was windy and perfect for the spread of the fire. The fire burned most things in Rome because of the way the timber houses were built and maintained. There are multiple accounts of what happened to start the fire, some of them blame Emporer Nero and some blame other things.

Perpetua

203

Vibia Perpetua was born in 182. She was martyred in 203 with five other Christians by the Roman Emporer of the time Septimius Severus who had them condemned to death in the arena. Perpetua wrote The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity during the time of her imprisonment. The book was finished after she was martyred. The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity was read by Christians for many Centuries after it was finished.

Great Persecution of 303

303

The Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution (of Christians) in the Roman Empire. Many Emporers including Diocletian created a couple of edicts to take away the Christians' rights and make them participate in traditional Roman Religious practices. The intensity of the persecution varied from each of the Roman empire. The persecution lasted 8 years. The Persecution didn't stop the rise of the Christain church.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge occurred between Roman Emporers Constantine and Maxentius. This is where Constantine was said to see a vision of a cross before the battle. The battle was the start of the conversion of Constantine. After Diocletian stepped down as Emporer Maxentius and Constantine grew farther apart as Emporers and were engaged in open hostility towards each other; eventually, Constantine took over Rome. Maxentius decided on where he and Constantine would fight.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was an agreement between the West Rome Emporer Constantine and the Emporer Licinius. The two Emporers met in Mediolanum now Milan. The Edict allowed Christians to participate in their religion without persecution. The Edict of Milan followed the Edict of Tolerance which was created by Emporer Galerius. Some historians say that Edict wasn't a formal Edict but a series of letters.

Constantine the Great

324

Constantine the Great was the first Roman Emporer to be converted to Christianity. Constantine took many acts to strengthen the empire. Constantine created a new currency to prevent inflation. He played an influential role in the Edict of Milan. He created the city Constantinople which became the capital of the Roman Empire. Constantinople was filled with churches and places to worship for the Christians.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Emperor Theodosius was the last Emporer of both the western and eastern halves of Rome. Theodosius made the Christian church the main church of Rome. Theodosius became Emporer of the east in 379 and Emporer of the whole Empire in 392. In 393 he banned pagan religions from the Empire. Theodosius had to fight multiple civil wars.