Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire timeline

Roman Empire fought and won Israel from Syria. Taking Israel was strategical. Israel was the cross roads between Europe, Asia, and Africa. They then had easier movement using Israel. The country was largely Jewish, though Rome put up with it to keep Israel from revolting against their rule.
Spread the religion from just Pagan to Jewish
At first, Jews under Roman rule went positively until religion unrest
Eventually were only allowed to worship their religion if payed Jewish tax
Became dispersed

Jesus was born in a village called Nazareth. His disciples claimed he was the son of God. He was believed the trade of money for animals to sacrifice ruined the holy site of the temple they were doing it in. He destroyed the stalls and drove them out of the temple. He was later arrested for treason and crucified.
-To Romans Jesus was a troublemaker
-To Christians he was a martyr
-His execution made unstable Judea even worse
-This kick started a religion across the globe

Originally a tent-maker & was born into a Jewish Greek speaking family. He had a vision of Christ & became a missionary. His writing about Christ are some of the longest surviving ones. He was eventually executed under the emperor Nero.
He persecuted Christians himself for half his life until his vision
He established several churches in Asia Minor and 3 in Europe
Converted people to Christianity
Focused on converting Gentiles
Would speak out to a crowd

Emperor Nero, rumored to have set fire to Rome for political agenda Blamed Christians, saying it's their fault the fire happened since they didn't worship roman gods & their part of Rome wasn't burned
Lasted 6 days
Legend says Nero played the fiddle as the city burned, however the fiddle hadn't been invented
Christians were burned at the stakes, and when the night fell they burned them for light
Some were nailed to crosses and left to die
Some were covered in hides of beasts & attacked by dogs

Perpetua was a Christian noblewoman. She was in a class to be baptized when the emperor Severus decided to cripple the Christian community. He arrested those in the class. She was imprisoned with a nursing infant.Her father tried to convert her to paganism but no avail. Was later slayed in an arena.
Wrote The Passions of Saints Perpetua and Felicity
The document is one of the only that survived written by a woman
Read annually in churches for centuries
Was praised for her writings and bravery

Widespread persecution lasting 8 years under the harsh Emperor Diocletian. He hunted down Christians and their leaders, burning churches. His aim was to turn them back to Paganism and the Roman Gods.
-First Christians lost rights, soldiers lost ranks, and Christian freemen turned back to slaves
-Diocletian at first said no bloodshed would come to the Christians
-Many were burned at the stake, the popular way to kill Christians in the East
-Diocletian wrote edicts, taking the Christian rights

Battle between Constantine&Maxentius for rule of Roman Empire. Gained name from Milvian Bridge from important route Tiber. Constantine won, emperor. Maxentius drowned in the river, later his body was taken & decapitated
Started Constantine's conversion to Christianity
Constantine had a vision to fight under the protection of Christian God
Constantine painted a cross onto soldiers shields
Winning gave Constantine the Western Roman Empire which helped him make the dominant religion Christianity

Rose to be emperor of Rome and fought battle of Milvian Bridge following the Christian God, for he had a dream to paint the cross on the soldier's shields. He had a vision as well that showed a cross and “In this sign, conquer” in the sky. He won the battle, furthering his devotion to Christ.
-Made Edict of Milan, legalizing Christianity, no longer persecuted
-Donated to the bishop of Rome
-Made new cathedral in Constantinia
-He said to have a special connection with God
(date Edict of Milan)

Was a letter that was signed and created by Constantine and Licinius. It proclaimed religious freedom and tolerance within the Roman Empire. Christians could now worship their beliefs without being persecuted.
-Issued in February short after emperor Diocletian stopped the unfair treatment to Christians
-They could now freely go to church
-More people were persuaded into Christianity
-The dominant religious became Christianity eventually

The last emperor of united Roman Empire. Established Christianity as the religion in the Roman Empire, defending against Paganism. Was said to have Christian grandparents & parents. Accepted Christianity since he had fallen ill and accepted Christian Baptism.
-Persecuted Pagans & Heretics
-Had an edict restraining any talk in public about religious questions
-Some believe Christianity the cause for the fall of Rome
-Wanted to put an end to Arian Heresy, dividing the Empire for half a century