Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire timeline

Jesus, born in 0 CE, was considered by many to be the leader of the Christian religion in the time of ancient Rome. Born in the roman empire, he preached the religion of Christianity throughout his life. He was considered the leader of Christianity also because many christians believed that he was the son of god. This lead to his life being featured prominently in the new testament of the bible (main religious text for Christianity). After years of preaching, he was crucified by the Romans.

Paul was a grad supporter of Christianity for the majority of his life. he was born in 5 CE and was originally called Saul. In his early life, he abused and persecuted the Christians until he saw a vision on the road to Damascus. This converted him to the religion and he changed his name to Pual. He then started spreading Christianity throughout the Roman empire by talking in person or writing letters. Many of these letters became parts of the main Christian scriptures, the bible.

In July of 64 AD, the great fire started in the great city of Rome. The fire started in the enormous stadium, the Circus Maximus. Some believe that emperor Nero started the fire because he wanted to destroy the city and build an enormous palace of gold. Some also believe that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned in enjoyment. The fire spread quickly and was only contained after 6 days of continual burning. After the fire, only 4 of the 14 districts were still undamaged.

Perpetua was a Christian saint at the time of many of the great persecutions of the Christian faith. The Emporer Septimus Severus proclaimed that it was illegal to join the faiths of Christianity and Judaism during that time. This was the reason for her arrest. Perpetua was at the time a married noblewoman, caring for a child and 22 years of age. In 203 BCE they Perpetua and several other Christian saints were mastered in the roman city of Carthage, in northern Africa.

In the year 303 the great persicussion of the cristians begane. this would be a continued campign of discuagement and murders of christians. The persicussions started with the emporer of diocleation and woudl continue with the emporers of Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius. Prior to the year 303 persicusions were still present but were not made leagal/encouaged until the emporer Diocleation gave the first edict. During this time the christians would be kill and burned a the stake.

constantine the great was an emporer between the years of 306-337.He was the first emporer to convert to christianity adn he ruled for severla years. Constantine recived his education in the court of diocleation wherre he learned from both Pagan scholers and christian scholers. constantine was not yet emporere and did not become a part of this religion until he was emporer. he won the battle at the tiber river where legands say he recived a vison from god of his victory and joined the religion.

The battle of Milvan bridge was a major battle along the banks of the Tiber at a place called Milvan. This battle had extreme significance to Constantine. To him it would lead to the path of uniting the east and west roman empire, as well as converting to Christianity and make Christianity a legal religion to practice again. This conversion came on the night before this monumental battle when Constantine reportedly had a vision. In the vision, the Christian god appeared and foretold his victory.

4 Months after the battle of Milvan bridge and the victory of Constantine and his conversion to Christianity he gave the edict of Milan. this was an edict in which he counteracted many of the persecutions and abuses that were made legal to followers of the Christian faith by the emporer Diocletian. this made it a religion that was equal to all others in rights. it also tried to help the Christians overcome there loses in material and property by the persecutions.

Emporer Theodosius, born on 11 January, 347 and dying on 17 January 395 at age 48, was a prominent figure for the extreme growth Christianity made in the latter part of the 4th century. He was the Emporer to make Christianity the official religion of Rome and was not against the destruction of the old religion of polytheism. He would not condemn those who destroyed old roman temples to the polytheistic religion. In the 380's he started a campaign of persecution against the Roman pagan religion.