Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

30

He is the central figure of Christianity. He grew up in Jadaea while there was chaos and it was collapsing. Christians believe that he is the incarnation of God. Through his death and resurrection, humans can be reconciled to God and promised eternal life and offered salvation. His goal was for everlasting life to spread around the world.

Great Fire of Rome

64

A fire started in the Circus Maximus stadium in Rome. The fire lasted 6 days and when it was finally put out, 10 out of 14 districts were burned to the ground. Ancient historians blamed Emperor Nero for the fire. Some historians said that Nero was playing his fiddle while the cities were burning, but Nero said that the Christians started the fire. He wanted his people to stay with his religion and not change.

Paul of Tarsus

67

One of the first Christian leaders. He is considered to be the most important person after Jesus. He was a major figure of the start of the religion. He had many enemies and people that didn't like his beliefs. Paul was compelled to struggle and this helped him to establish his own worth and authority. He created letters and these letters survived for a while which had and enormous influence in Christian culture and this secures his place as one of the greatest religious leaders.

Roman Rule of Israel

132

When the Romans replaced the Seleucids as the great power, they granted King Hyrcranus II limited authority under the Roman governor. Hyrcranus appointed Jueda and was granted almost unlimited autonomy in internal affairs. Judea got mad at Jewish life and this resulted into a large revolt. Judea was victorious and put Jerusalem into the ground. 100 of thousands Jews perished. After all of this though. The Jewish religion stayed alive

Perpetua

203

Perpetua is a Christian women who wrote a journal about her life. She turned Christian and than got imprisoned. She wrote in her journal until the day she died in the arena. She talked a lot about her trials and about all of the visions she has seen from heaven. Before her death, she gave her journal to a fellow Christian to keep the story going. Her journal was read in many churches and it was praised to the orthodox. She kept a voice in Christianity even after her death.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecutions of Christians. The Roman emperor Diocletian worked against Christianity and created the edict of Diocletianic. The first edict was created after the festival that honors the god of boundaries. The symbol was clear that this was a start of Christian termination. This ordered for all Christians that all of their sculptures and places of worship would be destroyed, torture, and legal rights were removed.

Constantine the Great

306

Constantine was the first emperor that changed his religion to Christianity. During the battle of Milvian Bridge, he claimed the empire in the west. With the armies preparing for battle, Constantine had a vision of a cross which led him to fight under the protection of the Christian God. After the war Constantine took over the role of patron of the Christian Faith.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The battle between Constantine and Maxentius. In 306, Constantine was declared emperor. He wanted to battle his rival for power over Rome. Constantine won the battle. Some men offered sacrifices to gods but he stayed Christian. He was very helpful on making Christianity the religion of Rome.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan permanently established religious toleration for Christianity. The agreement was concluded between Constantine and Licinius. This granted all people freedom and to believe in whatever religion they want to. Some of the edicts were shortly lived but the edicts established that there is freedom of religion. This ended the persecution of Christians.

Emperor Theodosius

379

Theodosius was the last emperor to control the east and west of Rome. Early in his reign, during a serious illness he accepted Christian baptism. He called a meeting at Constantinople to end the Arian hersey. It worked and 150 bishops changed the Nincene
Creed. Theodosius changed the coarse of Christianity. He used his power to officially enforce orthodox Christianity. He set a standard for many people and people to come.