Rise of Christianity in the Roman empire.

Roman rule over Israel

66 BCE

On the year 66 BC, the Romans decided to go to war with the Jewish, and it was shortly after conquered. Because of this, Rome was able to conquer other locations. once Christianity started its spread, Israel was an important stepping stone to spread Christianity to other locations. Israel is also an important biblical location due to how many events in the bible take place there.

Paul of Tarsus

4 BCE

Paul of Tarsus has been called the second most important person only second the Jesus. He taught the gospel of Christ to the first century world. His teachings were crucial to the rise of Christianity in the first century. He is famous for talking to Nero while on trial, this of course did not go well and he was thrown in jail and killed on 62 ad.

The great fire or Rome

64

This disastrous event destroyed around 90% of Romes urban buildings. It is commonly thought that emperor Nero caused this fire, and used Christians as a scapegoat. this event allowed Nero to persecute and kill Christians. some examples of this retaliation included crucifixion, burning, and being fed to animals. His more cruel form of torture was setting Christians on fire and using them as torches for parties he would have.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua was the writer of the passion of saints Perpetua and felicity. This story recounts the trial and imprisonment. This ended with the death of Perpetua in an arena on March 7th, 203. For this she became a martyr and highly revered by Christians even to this day. Her story still survives to this day.

The great persecution of 303 CE

303

When emperor Diocletian became emperor, he enacted what we now know as the great purge of 303 CE. In this event, Christians where murdered in a multitude of ways. some of the ways that they were murdered was gladiatorial combat, burning alive, and multiple forms of torture. Oddly enough this only furthered the spread of Christianity. This purge also lead to christian meetings becoming more secret, as well as the further division of Christianity.

Constantine the great.

306

At this time, Constantine became emperor of Rome. During his reign, he did not persecute Christians made it so there religion was no longer illegal. He completely converted after the battle of milvian bridge. Afterwards he built the Constantinople, the new capital of Rome. In this time period, Romes primary religion became Christianity.

The battle of Milvian bridge

312

This battle occurred during October 28th, 312, and was crucial to Constantine staying in power. It is said that a dream of victory that Constantine had was the reason that he converted to Christianity. This battle caused the end of the civil war that was being fought at the time, saw the end of the Roman tetrarchy, and the return of a one ruler of Rome at a time.

Edict of milan

313

This letter was made by Constantine and Licinius at 313, and made it so Christians would no longer be persecuted. This edict allowed for the further spread of Christianity and allowed it to spread through the Roman empire rapidly. This by proxy allowed for the further longevity of Rome due to how people who would usually fear for there lives in Rome could now come to Rome with the promise of safety.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Emperor Theodosius became emperor during the year of 379. During his rule, his version of Christianity became the main religion of Rome. Something unique about him was that any other version of Christianity was deemed heretical. It was his praise of orthodoxy that got him catholic praise. He was one of the few emperors not to be assassinated.