Time Line of Christianity and What

affected It

Alexander the Great – Rise of Power (300 BCE)

Was a major conqueror (claimed the land for Greece –
Hellenistic – took 11 yrs).
Greek = Lingua Franca.
Mono = one, Demos = People, Theo = God, Cracy = ruled.

Ptolemy – One of Alex the Greats generals

Took rule over Egypt after AtG death.
Had Alexandria:- great library (translated major txts into
Lingua Franca  the bible translated with 70 scholars
[Septuagint - LXX].
Died in 283 BCE and was followed by his sons and
grandsons etc creating a Dynasty.

Antiochus the Third (250 BCE) – Egypt loses power

Ruler of Palestine (now Israel)
Jews reneged on their faith under him. Was in Syria which
gained power when Ptolemy died. Selecuids and Egyptians.

King Herod – Hasmonean (30-4 BCE)

Was a solider and athlete. Murdered his wife. Matthew 2:1-
23.
Maccabees led a revolt. He slaughtered all the Babies
because of predictions of a ‘new king’ being born:- Jesus of
Nazareth’s coming was foreseen

Jesus of Nazareth
Is Born and the events of his life unfold and take place as
recorded in the Bible. He is crucified on Golgotha. Three
days later he rose from the dead and ascended to the right
hand of the father almighty.
Peter – upon this rock I will build my church!

Apostles (specifically Peter)

Start spreading word with
Christ as Lord and Saviour

Christianity is
considered a
‘Jewish Sect’
 Persecution – Nero (64-68 CE)
Fire [Nero started] was blamed on Christians.
He officially started the public suspicion of Christians.

Persecution – Domitian (81-96 CE)

Book of Revelations is written during this time.

Persecution – Trajan (112-117 CE)

A Governor ordered the execution of Christian’s,
couldn’t tell who was/n’t. Trajan said to only persecute
those who wouldn’t “worship their Gods”. Never to go
on random tips.

Persecution – Marcus Aurelius (161-180 CE)

Christian Doctrine is an immortality of the soul.
Christianity became a forbidden religion. If you didn’t
worship Roman Gods you were exiled. Made it easier for
Christian’s property to be seized.

Persecution – Septimus Severus (202-210 CE)

Martyrs were burned or beheaded every day. In 202 CE
created a law prohibiting the spread of Christianity.

Persecution – Maximinus the Thracian (235-238

CE)
Initiated the first persecution aimed directly at the
Heads of the Church

Persecution – Decius (250-251 CE)

First organised persecution of Christians. Had to perform
a sacrifice to the Roman Gods, after which you received a
certificate to prove you did so.

Persecution – Valerian (257-259 CE)

In 257 the punishment for being Christian was exile.
In 258 the punishment for being Christian was Death.
Knights, Ladies, Senators and Clergy men had to sacrifice
to Roman Gods on pain of: fine, reduction of rank or
death. Christians were not permitted to visit their
cemeteries.
Valerian's successor, Gallienus, revoked the edicts of his
father.
 Persecution – Aurelian (270-275 CE)
Aurelian revived Valerian’s Government structure.
Threatened to rescind Gallienus’ revoke of Valerian’s
edict.
Commenced a systematic persecution of the followers of
Christ.

Persecution – Diocletian (303-324)

Diocletian upheld toleration edicts for twenty years as his
wife and daughter were Christians.
Ordered the burning of Christian books and churches but
promised not to spill any blood.
Diocletian persecution turned out to be extremely violent
The emperor ordered the doors of the Christian church at
Nicomedia, the capital, to be barred, and then burnt with
600 Christians within.
Christians were Persecuted, Imprisoned, Tortured, and
Killed.
Christians were to sacrifice to the gods upon pain of
death.
He eventually gave Christians permission to meet as long
as they didn’t disturb the order of the state.

Persecution – Constantine I (324-337 CE)

Beginning of his reign of Emperor is considered the start
of ‘Christendom’. He built Basilicas, gave tax cuts to men
of the cloth and promoted Christians.
Built what came to be known as Constantinople which
had no pagan temples and churches within the city walls.
Issued ‘Edict of Milan’ (313) which declared that the
Empire would be neutral in matters of religion.