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27 BCE
Roman Empire Begins
Octavian given title of Augustus by Roman Senate -
5 BCE
Jesus born in Bethlehem
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30
Death and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus returns to Judea, is crucified, and resurrected. -
43
Roman conquest of Britain begins under Claudius
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49
Jerusalem Council
Paul and Peter return to Jerusalem for the Apostolic Council, which, with the assistance of James, frees Gentile believers from the requirement of circumcision in opposition to Pharisaic believers. Paul writes Galatians. -
54
Mark writes his gospel
Mark writes his Gospel, containing Peter’s memories of Jesus; perhaps within a decade, Matthew publishes his Gospel, which relies on Mark and other sources. Paul writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus -
Period: 64 to 67
Fire in Rome; Nero blames and kills many Christians.
Peter writes his second letter ( 2 Peter). Jude writes his letter. Paul writes 2 Timothy (see 2 Tim. 4:6–8). Paul and Peter are martyred in Rome. -
70
Jewish Temple Destroyed
Titus, Vespasian’s son, after a five-month siege of Jerusalem, -
Period: 85 to 96
John leads the Church
Domitian, Titus’s brother, persecutes Christians. John writes his letters (1–3 John) and gospel , probably in Ephesus. Exiled by Domitian to Patmos, John writes Revelation. -
107
Ignatius led to Rome and martyred
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130
Conversion of Justin, the Philosopher Apologist
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Period: 161 to 180
Marcus Aurelius, the last of the "Good Emperors" reigned.
Aurelius persecuted Christians across the Empire. Germanic tribes crossed the Danube River and invaded the Roman Empire. -
225
Tertullian dies
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Period: 249 to 251
Decius' Reign
Desiring to be worshiped, Decius persecuted Christians. Cyprian was a key church leader during this persecution while Antony was born towards the end of this period. -
Period: 251 to 284
Thurd Century Crisis
The Roman Empire experienced political instability, battles with various Barbarian tribes and economic issues. Diocletian ended this crisis. -
Period: 284 to 305
Diocletian Persecution of Church
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312
Battle of Milvian Bridge
Constantine defeats Maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge and becomes Emperor of the West. -
313
Edict of Milan
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324
Constantine becomes sole Emperor
Constantine defeats Licinius and becomes Emperor of both East and West -
325
Council of Nicaea
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340
Arianism spreads among Germanic tribes
Ulfilas converted to Arian Christianity. He takes it to the Germanic tribes, gives them an alphabet, and translates the Bible into their language. Most of the Germanic tribes became Arian Christians -
Period: 361 to 363
Reign of Julian the Apostate
Julian converted from Christianity to paganism and tried to restore paganism throughout the Empire. -
Period: 379 to 396
The Reign of Theodosius
Theodosius established Christianity as the official religion of thee Roman Empire. -
386
Augustine Converts to Christianity
At around 30 years old, Augustine was converted in a garden in Milan after hearing a child saying "Take up and read!" He took up Romans 13: 13-14. -
406
Germanic Tribes Cross Rhine
A coalition of foreign tribes including the Vandals, Alans and Suebi invaded the Western Roman Empire across the Rhine. -
410
Alaric and the Visigoths Sack Rome
At the same time, the Roman military abandons Britain. -
Period: 413 to 426
Augustine Writes City of God
The Vandals take North Africa and Augustine dies a few years later. -
Period: 440 to 461
440-461 Papacy of Leo the Great
As Poe, Leo defended the doctrine that Jesus was one person, fully God and fully man. He also asserted the pope's authority over the Church. Lastly, he convinced the bloodthirsty and pagan Atilla the Hun to stop his invasion of Italy. -
476
The Western Empire Falls
The last Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, is deposed by Odoacer, a Gothic general who declared himself king of "Italy" .