This document summarizes the origins and spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire. It discusses Roman religion, the Jewish faith which Christianity grew from, the life and teachings of Jesus, and the early years of Christianity. It then covers the spread of Christianity throughout the Eastern Empire and periods of persecution. Finally, it discusses the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity in 312 CE and how he eventually declared it the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 CE.

1. Rome & Christianity

2. Roman Religion
■ Borrowed religion
from the Greeks
■ Roman gods had
similar traits as the
Greek gods with
different names.
▪ Example: Zeus was the
king of the Greek gods,
while Jupiter was king
of the Roman gods

3. Roman Religion
■ Revival of State Religion
through festivals &
ceremonies
■ Rituals = Peace &
Prosperity
■ The empire was
successful due to the
favor of the gods.
■ Allowed gods and
goddesses of conquered
peoples as well as
eastern religions

4. Roman Religion
■ Augustus became the
first official “god” of
Rome
■ Subsequent emperors
were made gods by the
Senate
■ This practice led to later
problems with the
Christians

5. Jews
■ By AD 6, the Roman Empire
had expanded into Judaea.
■ Ruled by Procurator
■ Political groups:
– Sadducees: desired
cooperation with the
Romans;
– Pharisees: closely
followed religious law to
protect Jews;
– Essenes: waiting for
the Messiah to save
Israel from the
oppressive Romans
– Zealots: overthrow
Roman rule.

6. Jews
Jews rebelled against the Roman
government and their regulations.
– In 70 A.D., Romans stormed Jerusalem and
destroyed the temple complex.
▪ 500,000 Jews were killed
– Then in 132, another half-million Jews died in
three years of fighting.
– Most Jews were driven from their homeland
into exile after this.
▪ This dispersal of the Jews is called the Diaspora.

7. Jews
YHWH
-Hebrew designation for the name of God Yahweh or
Jehovah: English translation from Hebrew
“Only God is God”
-Creation is not God, Man is not God, and kings are
not divine
Stressed moral behavior over ritual

8. Jews
The Faith of Judaism
● Self-restraint
● Family
● Value of Human Life
● Formal Worship
● Monotheistic
● Stresses moral & ethical behavior
Christianity grew from the beliefs of the Jews
which sought the Messiah, who would free them
from Roman persecution.

9. Jesus
■ Jewish Prophet
■ Mission: to complete God’
s work to save Israel “Do
not think that I have
come to abolish the Law
and the Prophets; I have
come not to abolish them
but to fulfill them”.
■ Voice ethical concepts of
humility, charity, and love
toward others

10. Jesus
• Jesus preached justice,
compassion, coming of
Godʼs kingdom
• Jesusʼ Sermon on the
Mount included
Beatitudes
• Asked people to love and
pray for enemies; to live
simply, humbly
● Jewish leaders angered
by Jesusʼ teachings
● Were upset that some
followers claimed Jesus
was the Messiah

11. Jesus
■ Feared by Romans to be
a revolutionary who
would lead a Jewish
revolt against the Romans
■ Arrested, tried by the
Pharisees, for heresy then
turned over to Romans
■ Procurator Pontius Pilate
had him crucified
■ Followers believe he
arose from death

12. Early Years of Christianity
■The resurrection of Jesus spread
Christianity quickly, teachings passed on
orally then written – New Testament
■Two disciples, Peter & Paul, continued
teachings of Jesus.
■Spread message to communities
throughout Asia Minor and along Aegean
sea.

13. Spread of Christianity
■ Spread to major cities throughout Eastern
Empire.
■ Initially, ignored by Romans, as
considered a Jewish sect.
■ Soon changed because Christians:
▪ Refused to worship state gods & emperors
▪ Considered to be treasonist punishable by death
▪ Roman began persecuting Christians

14. Spread of Christianity
■ Thrived regardless of persecution, strengthened as it
began to become organized and assume control over
Christian communities.
■ Christianity spread as a result of:
▪ Embracing all people- men, women, slaves, poor,
and nobles.
▪ Gave hope to the powerless
▪ Appealed to those who were repelled by imperial
Rome.
▪ Offered a personal relationship with a loving God.
▪ Promised eternal life after death.

15. Constantine and Christianity
■ A critical moment in Christianity occurred
in 312 when the Roman emperor
Constantine was fighting 3 rivals for his
life.
– On the day before the battle at Milvian Bridge,
Constantine prayed for divine help
▪ He then saw a cross of light in the heavens
bearing the description, “In this sign, conquer.”
– Constantine won the battle and gave credit
for his success to the Christian God.

17. The Official Religion
■ In 313, Constantine ordered an end to all
persecution of the Christians.
■ In the Edict of Milan, he declared
Christianity to be one of the religions
approved by the emperor.
■ Finally in 380, the emperor Theodosius
made it empire’s official religion.