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Period: 63 BCE to 313
Roman Rule of Israel
In 37 BCE, Herod was appointed King of Judea by the Romans. He became one of the most powerful monarchs in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. Herod launched a massive construction program. Ten years after Herod's death, growing anger against Roman suppression of Jewish life resulted in violence which escalated into a revolt. The total destruction of Jerusalem was catastrophic for the Jewish people, of thousands of Jews perished in the siege of Jerusalem and many more were sold into slavery. -
Period: 6 BCE to 30
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus a religious leader revered in Christianity, one of the world’s major religions is regarded by most Christians as the son of God. He was born to Joseph and Mary sometime between 6 BC and shortly before the death of Herod the Great in 4 BC. According to Matthew and Luke, however, Joseph was only legally his father. They report that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived and that she “was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” -
Period: 4 BCE to 64
St. Paul
St. Paul the Apostle, one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians, often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity. In his own day, he was a major figure within the very small Christian movement. His surviving letters, however, have had enormous influence on subsequent Christianity and secure his place as one of the greatest religious leaders of all time. -
64
The Great Fire of Rome
The fire had originated from the Circus Maximus. It took six days to extinguish the fire. 10 out of the 14 districts in Rome were burned. Nero, the emperor at the time blamed it on the new cult, the Christians -
Period: 181 to 203
Perpetua
Perpetua is a 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. Both her martyrdom and its account have been highly revered by ancient and modern Christians. Her text is one of the rare surviving documents written by a woman in the ancient world. -
Period: 303 to 311
The Great Persecution
The Great Persecution was the last persecution of Christians. It was also the most severe that happened in the Roman Empire. The Emperors Maximian, Diocletian, Constantius, and Galerius issued a edicts taking away Christians' legal rights and making them comply with traditional religious practices. -
Period: 306 to 337
Constantine the Great
Constantine I was born in circa. His father was a Western Roman emperor. After his father's death, Constantine fought to take power. Constantine was the first emperor to adhere to Christianity. He issued an edict that protected Christians in the empire and converted to Christianity on his deathbed. -
312
Battle of Milvian Bridge
The two emperors east and west, Maxentius and Constantine respectively. Constantine invaded Italy, won battles at Turin and Verona and marched on Rome. Maxentius came out to fight and was destroyed at the Milvian Bridge. The battle was one of a succession of victories that in AD 324 made Constantine master of the entire Roman Empire, which would prove to be one of the most important events in world history. -
313
Edict of Milan
Edict of Milan, proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Mediolanum between the Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius in February 313. The proclamation granted all persons freedom to worship whatever deity they pleased, assured Christians of legal rights, and directed the prompt return to Christians of confiscated property. -
Period: 379 to 395
Emperor Theodosius
Was the last emperor to rule the East and West. After his death the two parts split permanently. He is also known for making Christianity the official religion of Rome.
