Roman Empire and Christianity | World History | Khan Academy

Summary

This video explores the rise of Christianity from a small Jewish sect to the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. It highlights key events, such as the persecution of Christians under Nero and Diocletian, the destruction of the Second Temple, and Constantine's conversion to Christianity after the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE. The Edict of Milan in 313 legalized Christianity, and by the end of the fourth century, under Emperor Theodosius, it became the official religion of the empire. The video emphasizes the transformation of Rome from a persecutor to a Christian empire.

Takeaways

• 📖 Christianity began as a Jewish sect in Judea and Galilee with the teachings of Jesus, and had only a few hundred followers at the time of Jesus's crucifixion in 30 C.E.
• 🛡️ After Jesus's death, his apostles spread Christianity to both Jews and non-Jews (gentiles), expanding its reach across the Roman Empire.
• 🔥 Emperor Nero's persecution of Christians in 64 C.E. followed the Great Fire of Rome, where Christians were blamed, and both apostles Peter and Paul were believed to have been killed.
• 🏛️ The destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 C.E. dispersed both Jews and early Christians, leading to new Christian centers forming in places like Antioch.
• 🙏 Christians were persecuted for refusing to worship Roman gods and the emperor, unlike the more isolated Jewish communities. Their missionary work and growth in number increased tensions with Roman authorities.
• ⚔️ The most severe persecution of Christians occurred under Emperor Diocletian in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries, which were state-sponsored and highly aggressive.
• 🌟 Constantine's vision of the Christian cross at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 C.E. marked his conversion to Christianity and the beginning of the religion's rise in Roman society.
• 📜 In 313 C.E., the Edict of Milan legalized Christianity across the Roman Empire, ending centuries of persecution and allowing Christians to worship freely.
• ✝️ Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E., leading to the creation of the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the equality of Jesus with God, solidifying Christian doctrine.
• 👑 By the late 4th century, under Emperor Theodosius, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, transforming it from a persecuted sect to the empire's dominant faith.

Q & A

What was the origin of Christianity according to the script?

Christianity originated as a Jewish sect in Judea and Galilee, centered around the teachings of Jesus and his early ministry.

How many followers did Jesus have around the time of his crucifixion?

At the time of Jesus's crucifixion, around 30 C.E., he had at most a few hundred followers.

What role did the apostles play in the spread of Christianity?

The apostles played a key role in spreading Christianity, not only to other Jews but also to non-Jews, or gentiles, expanding the faith throughout the Roman Empire.

What was the significance of Emperor Nero in early Christian history?

Emperor Nero is infamous for blaming Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 C.E. and conducting significant purges of Christians, during which apostles Peter and Paul were believed to have been killed.

How did the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. impact Christianity?

The destruction of the Second Temple, under Emperor Vespasian, displaced Jews and early Christians from Jerusalem, leading to the rise of Christian centers in other parts of the Roman Empire, like Antioch.

What differentiated Christians from Jews in the Roman Empire, leading to persecution?

Unlike Jews, who generally kept to themselves, Christians were missionaries actively spreading their faith to Roman citizens, which disrupted Roman families and challenged traditional Roman religious practices, leading to persecution.

How did Emperor Diocletian’s reign impact Christians?

Emperor Diocletian conducted the most extreme state-sponsored persecution of Christians, especially in the late 3rd century, as Christianity grew in prominence and numbers.

What was Constantine’s role in the rise of Christianity?

Constantine’s vision of a Christian cross at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 C.E. marked the beginning of his conversion to Christianity. He later legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan in 313 C.E., and convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E. to unify Christian doctrine.

What was the significance of the Edict of Milan in 313 C.E.?

The Edict of Milan, issued in 313 C.E., officially legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire, ending years of persecution and allowing Christians to practice their faith openly.

How did Emperor Theodosius influence the status of Christianity in the Roman Empire?

By the end of the 4th century, under Emperor Theodosius, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, completing its transition from a persecuted faith to the dominant religion.