Western Religion

Egyptian Religion

2680 BCE

During the time of the Old Kingdom, the religious ideology of the Egyptian's formed. They believed that their King was a god who ensured that the world would continue. When they conquered other lands, they would then impose their beliefs onto the citizens.

The Hebrew Abraham

1900 BCE

According to the Hebrew Bible, the first patriarch of the Hebrews was Abraham, a man who led the Hebrews away from Mesopotamia. Truly establishing the the new Hebrew religion.

The Hittites Assimilation

1700 BCE

Being the first masters of bronzeworking, the Hittites created a large kingdom. Their kingdom was more stable then the Egyptians because with each new civilization conquered, they would adapt their beliefs. With every victory adding to their pantheon of gods.

Zoroastrianism

1300 BCE

The leader Zoroaster claimed that Ahura Mazda was the primary god and would ultimately triumph in the battle against evil, but explained the existence of evil in the world as a result of the struggle against Ahriman. It was the official religion of the Persians and was the reason they expanded. They wanted the god Ahura to win in what they though was a battle between good and evil.

First of Many Struggles

722 BCE

The Assyrian Empire expanded beyond Mesopotamia with its conquest of Israel. Israel would soon be destroyed when the Jewish Israelite rose up. The Hebrews would have many challenges in their future.

Religion in Text

621 BCE

Judean king, Josiah, insisted on the imposition of strict monotheism and the compilation of the first books of the Hebrew Bible, the Torah. Now the religion could go were every the Hebrews went, instead of only being in a temple.

Roman Conquest

500 BCE

Being conquered by Rome seemed less like a burden when an aqueduct, public baths, and street system appeared within a generation of the Roman conquest. They also took a bit of notes from the Hittites. While they didn't mix their religions, they did hold religious tolerance to those they conquered.

Jesus of Nazareth

5

Born in Bethlehem would be the Savoir of man. Jesus of Nazareth would spread the word of god and his disciples would go on to create the Christian faith.

Trouble in Zion

100

Jewish society and its especially its leadership, was divided between rival groups. Each vying for power and their own beliefs.

The Christian Constantine

312

Before his climactic battle to defeat his last rival to the imperial throne, Constantine had a vision that he claimed was sent by the Christian God, promising him victory if he converted to Christianity. He would be the first Christian Emperor of Rome.

Christianity of Rome

325

Constantine assembled a council of church leaders, the Council of Nicaea, to create the Nicene Creed. It would become the central elements of Catholic Mass. It was also around this time that Christianity became the official religion of Rome.

The Vulgate

410

Created by the monk Jerome, the Vulgate would be the official Christian bible until the 16th century. The entire book was written in Latin, making it impossible or most commoners to read.

The Prophet/General Muhammad

624

After being visited by a spirit, Muhammad spread the world of Islam and grew a following. After they were exiled, Muhammad and his followers went on to conquer much of the know world.

The Split of Islam

644

When Muhammad died, He left no successor. The Muslim elders appointed Uthman. Many members of the Muslim community, however, supported Muhammad's cousin and son in-law Ali. This split the Islamic faith into the Sunni and Shia.

Greek Gods

800

Even though all the Greek Polis were independent of each other, they all shared in the same religious ideas of the Greek Gods.

Great Schism

1054

Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael I excommunicated each other after Michael refused to acknowledge Leo’s preeminence. Splitting the church between East and West. Just like what had once happened with the Hebrews.

First Crusade

1095

Just like the Persons had once done, The kingdoms of Europe sent their Knights to sack the Middle East in the name of their Christian God.

Northern Crusade

1171

While it is usual overlooked, the Northern Crusades were a very important part of the spreading of Christianity. The crusade was extremely successful and cause Christianity to be the only religion of Europe. Even though the many kingdoms were independent of each other, they all share the same beliefs. Just like how the Greeks did it.

Lutheranism

1521

Martin Luther was a Christian who was excommunicated from the church for wanting a reformation of it. He would go on to create his own form a Christianity that focused more on ones relationship with god than one with the church.

King Henry VIII

1534

King Henry's first two wives only gave him girls. So he wanted to divorce his new wife and try again. The Christian Church said no. So he separated England from the Catholic Church and founding in its stead the Church of England

Calvinism

1555

John Calvin followed in Luther's foot steps, but would branch out in his philosophies. His religion, Calvinism, believed that only a select few were destine for heaven and the rest for hell.