Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity

Jesus (The Man)• Born in 4 B.C. in Bethlehem

• Believer in God and followed Jewish law

• Used parables to spread teachings• (Short stories with simple moral

lessons)

• Recruited 12 disciples called apostles

• Preached a message of peace/love

Jesus (The Prophet)• Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth developed

into new religion—Christianity

• Teachings of Jesus Challenged Roman and religious leaders

• Jesus arrested, tried, sentenced to death

– According to New Testament

• Performed Miracles

• Rose from dead

• Ascended into Christian heaven

Christianity Gains Popularity

• Life After Death – Christianity promised life after death in

heaven. In the Roman religion, only gods went to heaven. Everyone else went to the underworld. 

• Equality– All could join and be equally a Christian.

• Social Chaos– Conflict in empire drove desire for new belief.

• Martyrdom– Death of Jesus highlighted and elevated

status of his teachings

• Like all other contemporary politicians, Constantine had sought divine assistance

• Was in conflict with Maxentius for control of Western Empire

• Maxentius seized power in West

• Constantine gathered his forces and decided to oust Maxentius himself

Constantine

• Battle loomed as Constine and his army approached Rome

• Before the battle looked into the sun and saw a cross of light above it

• Constantine commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol

• Constantine won the battle

Battle of Milvian Bridge

Christianization of the Empire

• Issues Edict of Milan(Religious Tolerance)

• Slowly began to suppress other religions

• Policies implemented to favor Christian Church

• Eventually Christianity became dominant religion in empire