Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel

64 BCE

Christianity was illegal at first because people were not respecting their emperor. Christians were blamed for the fall of Rome. The Jews were prophesying that a Savior (Jesus) would come and save them from the Romans but they were expecting a soldier to come and fight the Romans for them but when Jesus came, they didn't believe it was him because it's not what they were expecting. They are still waiting for the 1st coming of Jesus because they don't believe he came yet.

Jesus of Nazareth

1 CE

Jesus of Nazareth or also known as Jesus Christ was believed to be a Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is believed to be born as a son on earth to Mary and Joseph. He is the central figure of all Christianity. He is believed to be crucified and resurrected and because of what he did, we can all have eternal life. He taught people about Christianity starting at age 12 when people came up to him asking questions in a temple. Most Christians believe that he is the incarnation of God the Son.

Paul of Tarsus

5

His works are in some of the Christians documents. He was considered the most important figure in Christianity after Jesus. He was a major figure in a very small Christian movement. He wrote letters which had an enormous influence on Christian theology. He helped Christianity pull away from its Jewish roots. He focused on converting Gentiles to Christianity and soon Christianity became a largely Gentile region. His letters about Christianity are in the New Testament.

Great Fire of Rome

64

Emperor Nero was blamed at first for the fire but Nero then pinned the blame on the Christians. Nero indiscriminately and mercilessly crucified Christians. He would feed Christians to lions and used them as human torches. People believe that Nero did it so that he could rebuild the Empire to his liking but others also believe that it was fulfilling a prophecy that Rome was supposed to be set on fire. Christians got blamed because of Nero's discrimination against them.

Perpetua

181

She was a Christian martyr and was killed for her beliefs and religion in Christianity. She wrote a document about Christians and it is preserved She was put to death at the Carthage in the Rome province of Africa. She died of decapitation. She was a Christian noblewoman. Northern Africa was the center at the time for Christianity. Emperor Septimius was determined to bring down Christianity and he started with arresting 5 new Christians who were preparing for baptism and one of them as Perpetua.

Great Persecution

303

It was the last and most severe persecution of the Christians in the Roman Empire. In 303, emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius created a edicts allowing Christians legal rights and that they comply with traditional religious practices. The persecution spread all over the Empire. Christians had always been apart of local discrimination across the empire. Early emperors were hesitant about creating laws to end discrimination against Christians.

Constantine the Great

306

During his reign, Christianity began to transition to becoming the dominant religion across the empire. Constantine saw himself as a emperor to the Christians. He and Licinius created the Edict of Milan together in 313 AD. His decision of cease the persecution of Christians was a turning point for early Christianity. He became a great patron of the church. He was the first Christian emperor of Rome.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The battle of Milvian Bridge was a battle between roman emperors Constantine and Maxentius. Constantine won and became the ruler over the Roman Empire. The battle marked the beginning of Constantine's conversion to Christianity. Christianity was established as Rome's official religion. The battle is called that because it went over route over Tiber.

Edict of Milan

313

A proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Milan between the Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius in February 313. The proclamation, made for the East by Licinius in June 313, granted all persons freedom to worship whatever God or Goddess they pleased, assured Christians of legal rights and directed the prompt return to Christians of confiscated property.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius also know as Theodosius the Great, was the last Roman Emperor to rule a united Roman Empire. He established Christianity as the state religion and successfully defended it against paganism and Arianism. He made it the official religion of the Roman Empire. He became a convert and stopped the persecution. He allowed followers of the religion to relocate.