Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus Birth

1 BCE

Paul of Tarsus

3

Apostle who spread christianity.
Wrote 27 books.
Was a Christian pastor.
Converted people to christians.
Not a real Apostle.

Great Fire of Rome

64

Began in the Circus Maximus
Burned through tightly packed apartments
All but 4, out of 14 disctricts, were destroyed or damaged
Nero may have purposely caused the fire to blame the Christians or so he could rebuild Rome to his image

Beggining of Roman Rule in Isreal

64

Part of Pompeys campaign.
Allowed religious freedom until Ceasar conquered it.
Ceasar conquered and outlawed Judaism.
Romans persecuted Jewish people.
Jews made up 10 percent of roman empire.

Perpetua

182

Christian matyr.
Had a journal recording her imprisonment, trial, and execution.
One of the only texts written in the ancient world by a woman.
Tried to force her to renounce her christianity.
Voluntarilly accepted her death

The Great Persecution

303

Roman Emperor and government made laws to force the Christians to warship Roman religion and restricted their legal rights.
Christians forced to sacrifice to Roman gods or be subjected to punishment.
Had church and its scriptures burnt and its treasury looted.
Second edict had all Christian bishops priests and other leaders of Christianity imprisoned.
304, all people, men, women and children were forced to make a sacrifice to Roman Gods or they would be killed.

Constantine the Great

306

Restructured the Government and made many financial and military reforms.
First Christian emporer and he promoted Christianity.
Created a new capitol for Rome in the East and established the Byzantine empire.
Created a new coin that would be made out of gold and used for centuries after his death.
Legalized Christianity and many other smaller religions to the Roman people.

Battle Of Milvian Bridge

312

Constantine won the battle leading him to become emperor.
Was the beggining of Constantines Christianity.
Was the battle where Constantine had the vision.
Constantines forces defeated the larger forces of Maxentius.
Started Constantines rule over Rome.

Edict of Milan

313

Edict of Milan stopped the persecution of Christians.
Allowed religious freedom in Rome.
People no loger had to warship the Hellenstic Gods.
People stopped being forced to sacrifice to gods.
Stopped the mass slaughter of christians.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Last emperor to rule both halfs of empire.
He made Nicene Christianity the official religion of Rome.
Fought two Civil Wars to get into power.
Split up the empire between his two sons after his death.
Made a treaty with the Gothics.