Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel

63 BCE

Rome conquered Israel/Judea in 63 BC. Rome appointed the rulers of Israel who would report back to the governor. Roman rule did not directly affect the people of Israel, although they had to pay Roman taxes and be counted in the Roman census. Because of the taxes, the people did not like the Romans. Jesus was born during one of the censuses, when they had to travel to Bethlehem to be counted. Jesus was also tried by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate before his crucifixion around 33 AD.

Jesus of Nazareth

1 CE

Jesus of Nazareth is the center of Christianity. Starting with his virgin birth, he performed many miracles and taught many doctrines about faith, charity and hope. He was crucified, buried, and then after three days rose again. He also taught that the only way to get to heaven is through a saving knowledge of Him.

Great Fire of Rome

64

A fire in Rome, thought to be started by Nero, destroyed about 60% of the city. Nero blamed the Christians for this disaster, starting the widespread persecution of the Christians.

Paul of Tarsus

65

Paul of Tarsus, originally Saul, persecuted Christians until he was miraculously converted. He then took the gospel of Christ around the Mediterranean on his missionary journeys and eventually founded the church in Rome. The estimated year of his tragic death is around 65 AD.

Perpetua

203

Perpetua was arrested and imprisoned because she would not give up her faith. She was brutally killed in 203 AD and she showed her contempt for her death by supposedly guiding the sword used to kill her to her neck. Her expectation of eternal reward would have affected those watching her death and the written accounts would affect others. It would also inspire potential converts.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The emperor Diocletian and Galerius executed thousands of Christians in brutal ways. During the Roman crisis in the 3rd Century, Decius blamed Christians for catastrophes across the empire. This was the first empire wide persecution.

The Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was the battle where Constantine defeated Maxentius after seeing a vision of a cross inscribed with "In Hoc Signo Vinces" or "in the sign you will conquer" in the sky. He also had a dream where he was told to engrave the initials x and P overlapping on the shields. After his victory, he gave credit to the Christian God.

Constantine the Great

312

He gave imperial support to the Christians during his reign as emperor from 306 to 337 AD. Before the battle at Milvian Bridge, he saw a vision of a cross in the clouds that he thought helped him defeat Maxentius. He met with another emperor, Licinius, to create the Edict of Milan, which legally gave religious freedom to everyone. He then defeated Licinius and believed that God was on his side. He dedicated Constantinople to the Christian God and worshiped Christ along with other Roman gods.

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was created by Constantine and Licinius. This made Christianity legal and was one of the first documents for religious freedom.

Emperor Theodosius

379

He made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire during his rule from 379 to 395 AD. He became a convert and stopped the persecution. He allowed followers of the religion to relocate.