Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

63 BCE

*Rome conquered Israel in 63 BC.
*At a time where Rome was spreading too thin, it took over Israel in hopes to move freely between continents.
*Jews in Israel could continue their religious practices if they followed the law and did things as Rome instructed.
*Under Caesar, Judaism was officially recognized as a legal religion.
*Christianity's roots began with Judaism because Jesus was Jewish and Israel was part of the Roman Empire at the time.
*After taking over Israel, Judaism influenced Rome.

Paul of Tarsus

4 BCE

• Paul of Tarsus was born 4 BCE and died 62-64 CE in Rome.
• He was a major leaders in Christianity being one of the very first generation on Christians.
• Other than Jesus, he was thought to be one of the most important people of Christianity. *He helped form 7 of the 13 letters of the New Testament. *He traveled far around the Mediterranean sea to spread Jesus and Christianity. *All forms of Christianity originate from some of his original ideas or believes.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

• Jesus is the central figure of Christianity
• He was born around 4 BC and died 30 AD. *People saw Jesus as an important figure because they feel as if they are connected by god with him and are offered salvation. *He is believed to be the son of god
• Jesus began the fundamental belief of Christianity when he died and three days later was supposedly resurrected and belief in him would lead an everlasting life. His followers continued this belief and passed down Christianity.

Great Fire of Rome

64

• The fire lasted 6 days starting on July 18, 64 CE and ending on July 23, 64 CE.
• The fire started in the Circus Maximus Stadium.
• 14 of Romes districts burned.
• Many blamed Nero the emperor at the time for starting the fire in order to destroy the area for a new palace.
• Nero blamed the Christians for starting the fire to make the public hate them. *It was found that Rome was filled with poorly constructed slums that easily caught fire which was a more likely cause of the fire.

Perpetua

203

• Vibia Perpetua was a woman that died 203 AD.
• She was a Christian during a time of persecution in Rome.
• One of the five Christians condemned to death. *March 7 where she was put in an arena to be killed by a bull. After surviving the bull's torture, she was then killed by a gladiator but she actually helped the gladiator kill her. *Her faith to Christianity allowed growth in this religion to continue as people saw this inspiration appealing.

The Great Persecution 303 CE

303

• The Great Persecution began on February 24, 303 and ended roughly on April 30, 311. *In this time, Diocletian ordered for the destruction of anything that represent Christianity. Texts and churches were destroyed and people were not allowed to meet and talk about Christianity. *If people were caught worshiping Christianity, they would have to sacrifice to the Roman gods. Diocletian did this hoping to turn people back to Roman religion *Christianity was not destroyed and lived on.

Constantine the Great

306

• Constantine became emperor after his fathers death (date in timeline is time when he became emperor July 25, 306 AD).
• He defeated Maxentius in the battle of the Milvian Bridge.
• His dream of Christ lead him to victory and helped Christianity in Rome grow. *He made the Edict of Milan with Licinius the eastern emperor to allow free religion. *Later on, he defeated Licinius and became the emperor of all of Rome. *In his later years, he became extremely devoted to Christianity.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

• The battle began and ended on on October 28, 312 AD. *Constantine lead an army to fight against Maxentius beside the River Tiber at the Milvian Bridge.
• Before the battle, Constantine saw a cross in his dream and saw it as a sign from Christ and put the symbol on his solider's shields.
• Constantine won and took over the Empire and became a supporter of Christianity *The battle lead to the creation of the Edict of Milan which made it safe for Christians to practice Christianity.

Edict of Milan

313

• The Edict of Milan was formed February 313 AD.
• This was the outcome agreement that was permanently made so people could worship the religion that they want. *This was impact for the Christians because it stopped the persecutions and made it safe for Christianity to grow.
• After the Battle of Milvian Bridge, Constantine made the agreement with the other Roman empire Licinius. *Later on, Christianity was forced upon Romans but as of this time, they had a choice in their religion.

Emperor Theodosius

379

• Emperor Theodosius was in control of Rome between 379 to 395. *He joined the West and East emperors but they broke apart permanently after his reign. *2 civil wars happened during his time between Maximus and Eugenius in 394.
• During his time, he tried to stop Goths and other barbarians who tried to invade the Empire. *He made Christianity the official religion of Rome. *Rather than just supporting Christianity, he forced Nicene Christianity, removing religious freedom.