Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

63 BCE

-Israel was divided into 5 districts.
-Ruling Israel meant Rome would be able to move freely between the continents.
- Jews were excused from military service and from ever having to appear in court on the Sabbath under roman rule.
-The longer the Romans ruled the more they imposed roman ideas and traditions
-At one point Herod Agrippa was made king

Jesus of Nazareth

1 CE

-Sometimes called Jesus Christ
-After he was crucified, the christian church was started
-He died from crucifixion
-He was probably born in spring or summer
-Taught and healed the Jews

Paul of Tarsus

5

-Was a apostle of Jesus
-Was both a Jew and a Roman
-Helped bring Christianity to more of the world
Originally tried to stop Christianity
-Wrote 13 letters that later became books in the new testament.

The Great Fire of Rome

64

-A huge fire that took 6 days to contain
-2/3 of Rome was destroyed
-Nero blamed it on the Christians
-Some people blamed Nero for starting it.

Perpetua

82

-Was a Christian Martyr
-She wrote a journal that is one of the only surviving texts from a woman from the ancient world
-Her and 4 companions were arrested illegally
-Her journal was about her imprisonment
-Her journal was read in churches for years to come

Constantine the Great

272

-First christian emperor
-Some historians think he became christian for political purposes
-Founded Constantinople
-Helped create the edict of Milan
-second longest serving emperor for Rome

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

-Happened after the Romans viewed Christianity as a threat
-happened under Diocletian's rule
-first all Christians were removed from the military.
-Unlike Nero executing Christians in Rome, this was more widespread
-Historians think his advisor Galerius was the one who pushed him to kill Christians

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

-Took place between Constantine and Maxentius
-Constantine won
-Maxentius drowned in the river, then later he was decapitated and his head was paraded around the streets
-The battle marked the beginning of Constantine conversion to Christianity.
-Constantine and Maxentius were step brothers

Edict of Milan

313

-It was a proclamation that permanently gave religious toleration for Christians
-It was made by Constantine and Licinius
-It was the first permanent edict, the other ones were just removed
-It assured Christians legal rights

Emperor Theodosius

347

-Was baptized earlier than normal
-gave an edict that people had to be christian
-Jews maintained an independent status
-Made Constantinople the capital of his empire
-Was against pagans