Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

27

Jesus is assumed to have been born anywhere between the years 6-4 AD. Jesus began preaching around 27-29 AD. He is a religous leader of one of the most dominant religions. People who follow the religion worship him as their God. Jesus is believed to have died and then rose again from the grave.

Great Fire of Rome

64

The fire started in the Circus Maximus stadium in Rome. The fire was extinguished after 6 days. 10 of 14 Rom'es districts were burned. Ancient historians blamed Nero for the fire. After the fire, Nero rebuilt Rome.

Paul of Tarsus

64

Paul the Apostle, was commonly known as Saint Paul and also known by his Jewish name Saul of Tarsus. He was an apostle who taught the gospel of Christ to the first-century world. He died between the years 64 and 67. St. Paul is often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity. His letters have had enormous influence on Christian theology, especially on the relationship with Jesus, and on the mystical human relationship with the divine.

Roman Rule of Israel

66

In 66 AD, the First Jewish–Roman War began. Throughout the book of Acts, Israel was under Roman rule. This had been the case since Rome wrested the region from Syria in 64 BC. During the New Testament era, the Roman Empire ruled most of the known world. In the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Romans destroyed much of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua was a young woman of noble birth. She was twenty-two, a wife, a mother of a young son and a Christian. In the city of Carthage in North Africa on March 7 of the year 203 she was put to death for her religious convictions. Perpetua was one of five Christians condemned to death in the arena. Pepetua's father was a pagan and came often to the prison (many times with Perpetua's son in his arms) to plead with his daughter to renounce her religion and save her life.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

In 303, the Emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding Christians' legal rights and demanding that they comply with traditional religious practices. The Diocletianic or Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. As many as 3,000-3,500 Christians were executed. The great persecution lasted many years. The persecution was ordered by Nero.

Constantine the Great

306

Constantine's birth name was Flavius Valerius Constantinus. He was born is Naissus. He was born Febuary 27, 272 AD. Constantine's mother was the Roman goddess Helena. He defeated Maxentius in the famous Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. It takes its name from the Milvian Bridge, an important route over the Tiber. Constantine won the battle. This allowed him to begin his path becoming the sole ruler of Rome. The war ended the same day it started.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was a letter signed by the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius. The letter was issued in 313. It occurred shortly after the end of the persecution of Christians by the emperor Diocletian. The edict of Milan's purpose is to make other Romans treat Christians well. The Edict of Milan permanently established the religion.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius was born January 11, 347 and died January 17, 395. He ruled from 379-395. He reunited the Eastern and Western Roman Empire. He actually ruled both sides. After he died, both sides split permanently.