Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Roman Rule of Israel (begins)

64 BCE

Rome took control of Israel from Syria in 64 BC.
- Rome ruled Israel during the book of Acts.
- Ruling Israel gave Rome more opportunities to move between different locations.
- As long as Israel obeyed the Romans they were free to practice their own religion.
- People in Israel thought their right to worship their god was only a privilege that would be taken away if they disobeyed Romans.
- The Roman law gave people certain rights like release from military and court.

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE

Jesus of Nazareth is the God Christians worship.
- He's also known as Jesus Christ.
- He was a Jewish preacher and a religious leader.
- He was born December 25 (Christmas) 4 BC and died in 30 AD when he was crucified.
- The story of Jesus is that Mary had him as baby in Bethlehem, he was a savior for the people in places like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Israel, and more. He died on the cross for his people and rose after 3 days.
- Christians considered him the incarnation of God.

Paul of Tarsus

10

Paul of Tarsus spread the word of Jesus and helped it expand.
- He was also known as Paul the Apostle, and Saint Paul.
- He was born in 10 AD and died in 64 or 67 AD.
- After Jesus, St. Paul is considered the second most important person to Christianity.
- He was very effective in spreading Christianity and building up the community.
- His original name was Saul, but he changed it to Paul when he became Christian, because it means "small".

Great Fire of Rome

64

The Great Fire of Rome took place July 19, 64 AD, and lasted 6 days in the Circus Maximus.
- It's said that Nero started the fire so he could rebuild Rome his way.
- Nero supposedly "fiddled" while the fire burned. (played music while his people were in danger)
- It's also possible that a fire in one of the poorly constructed buildings got out of hand.
- About 60,000 buildings were destroyed in the fire, and 10 out of 14 Roman districts were completely burned.
- There were only known deaths.

Perpetua

181

Perpetua was a martyr who died for her belief in Christianity.
- Perpetua was born 181 AD, and died in March 7, 203 AD.
- Christians held her in high esteem.
- Martyrs like her helped expand the number of Christians and allowed them to gain more members in church.
- She was arrested first and when she refused to go against Christ she was killed.
- It was very common for Christians to die when they didn't abandon their beliefs because they were seen as a threat.

Constantine the Great

272

Constantine was a Roman emperor who made Christianity legal when he came into power.
- Constantine was born February 27, 272 AD, he ruled from 306-337 CE, and died May 22, 337 CE.
- He envisioned a cross in the sky and also had a dream about Christianity, causing him to make it legal.
- He issued the Edict of Milan, which allowed Christians the right to worship.
- He converted to Christianity before dying.
- Constantine was the first Roman emperor to be Christian.

Great Persecution of 303 CE

303

The Great Persecution was the final and most severe persecution held for Christians.
- Many churches were destroyed.
- Roughly 3,000 to 3,500 Christians died after being tortured and executed.
- This persecution lasted for 8 years.
- Diocletian was responsible for the persecution, and his goal was to erase Christianity, and get them to worship Roman gods instead.
- He especially enjoyed getting hold of church leaders for his persecution.

Battle of Milvian Bridge

312

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was between Constantine and Maxentius and took place at Milvian Bridge.
- It happened October 28, 312 CE.
- It gets it's name from the Milvian Bridge.
- The battle helped lead Constantine to become Rome's only ruler.
- Constantine defeated Maxentius.
- Constantine had his dream about the cross the night before, and had his soldiers paint crosses on their shields, he wanted them to be "Christian soldiers".

Edict of Milan

313

The Edict of Milan was a letter that released restrictions on Christian's rights to worship, and made Christianity legal in Rome.
- It was issued by Constantine in February 313 AD.
- It completely stopped all persecutions of Christians.
- This was the start of Christianity spreading through Rome.
- Constantine had been in Milan which is why it is called the Edict of Milan.
- All meeting places of Christians were restored with the Edict of Milan.

Emperor Theodosius

347

Theodosius was a Roman emperor who helped solve problems dealing with goths and barbarians.
- He was occasionally called "the Great"
- He was born January 11, 347 AD, ruled from 379-395, and died January 17, 395 AD.
- He issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Rome's official religion Christianity.
- He was the last emperor to rule before Rome split into East and West.
- He converted to Christianity and helped stop persecutions.