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63 BCE
The Roman Rule of Israel Begins
Little did the Jews know that the Romans would be the beginning of lots of terror and persecution. This moment was important because if it had never happened then lots of lives would have been saved in the process. At the same time, it was also a good thing because if Israel hadn't been taken over then the Rise of Christianity would have never happened, and it might still be a small religion -
Period: 5 BCE to 64
Paul of Tarsus
Paul was one of the most important leaders who lead the growth of Christianity. He was one of Jesus's twelve disciples. He started out as a man named Saul who was a persecutor for Christians and Jews. On his way to a town named Damascus, he was blinded and spoken to by God. His name was then changed to Paul. He was one of Jesus's most faithful friends and continued to spread God's Word throughout the Roman Empire after Jesus went back to heaven. -
Period: 1 BCE to 31
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus is the reason that Christianity spread. He is the son of God and he spread His Word throughout the Roman Empire. People came from all over to hear him preach and see his miracles in action. He had 12 close friends and disciples that helped him teach throughout the empire. He was persecuted and then crucified in Rome. He was sent to save us from the sin in the world.
Note --
1. I'm biased because I am a Christian
2. the dates are off it should be 0 and 32 AD :) -
64
The Great Fire of Rome
This was the first event where the Christians (as a whole) were persecuted. Emperor Nero blamed the Christians for a massive fire that burned about 65% of Rome. Even though there is a large group of Roman citizens who think Nero did it. He wanted to rebuild Rome to "his liking" but the Senate refused. None the less, hundreds of people died and many things had to be rebuilt. -
203
The Martyr of Perpetua
Her martyr among many was important because of her absolute faith even though she gave up being with her family and her newborn son. It was also important because during her time at the execution camp she wrote a journal about her time in captivity that would later encourage many others. -
303
The Great Persecution of 303 AD
The empire was under the rule of Diocletian. He reorganized the government so there were 4 emperors. Diocletian and 1 of his fellow rulers, Galerius, decided to persecute Christians as part of the plan to reunify the empire and to make sure the Roman gods were worshiped. Several thousand Christians were killed, including the leaders. They figured out who was Christian by making everyone worship the emperors. If you did, you got a certificate saying so. The ones who refused to do so were killed. -
Period: 306 to 337
Constantine the Great is emperor
Constantine was the emperor who stopped the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. He had a dream which led him to believe in the Christian God. "God," told him to put the sign of the cross on their shields before going into a battle where the other army was bigger and stronger. After winning, he started to believe in God, He created the Edict of Milan with another emperor Licinius. It allowed people to believe in whatever religion people wanted to. It stopped the death of the Christians -
312
Battle of Milvian Bridge
This is an important part of Christian History in its own way. Constantine had a dream right before going into a battle with Maxentius and his army that was much larger than his own. He saw the phrase "in hoc signo vinces" (in this sign, prevail) and the cross (the sign of Jesus) He placed a cross on the armies shield's and they "prevailed" against Maxentius. This was the beginning of the end for christian persecution. -
313
Edict of Milan
This was a very important document in Christian history. It was created by Constantine to stop the persecution of the Christians. It allowed everyone to participate in whatever religion they wanted to. It was one of the major events that led Christianity to be the most practiced religion in the world. -
Period: 379 to 395
Emperor Theodosius
He was also known as Theodosius the Great. He made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. He stopped all persecution that wasn't already by the Edict of Milan. He rebuilt the army by allowing people who had earlier been refused.
