Early Christians were heavily persecuted throughout the Roman Empire until the 3rd century. Although Christianity initially emerged as a small Jewish movement in 1st-century Judaea, it quickly branched off as a separate religion and began spreading across the various Roman territories at a pace that put it at odds with the well-established Roman imperial cult, to which it stood in opposition; Christians were vocal in their expressions of abhorrence towards the beliefs and practices of Roman paganism, such as deifying and making ritual sacrifices to the Roman emperor or partaking in other methods of idolatry.
Roman Emperor Galerius issues the Edict of Toleration, ending the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire
Early Christians were heavily persecuted throughout the Roman Empire until the 3rd century.
Historical Significance
Early Christians were heavily persecuted throughout the Roman Empire until the 3rd century.
Events Before
Constantine I is proclaimed Roman Emperor by his troops
Constantine I (27 February 272 – 22 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, or known mononymously as Constantine, was Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337 and the first Roman emperor to convert to...
Roman Emperor Constantine I marries Fausta, daughter of the Emperor Maximian, later murdering her in 326
Roman Emperor Constantine I marries Fausta, daughter of the Emperor Maximian, later murdering her in 326
Marcellus I begins his reign as Catholic Pope, serving until his death in 309
Marcellus I begins his reign as Catholic Pope, serving until his death in 309
St. Eusebius begins his reign as Catholic Pope
St. Eusebius begins his reign as Catholic Pope
St. Eusebius ends his reign as Catholic Pope
St. Eusebius ends his reign as Catholic Pope
Events After
Roman Emperor Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross
Constantine I (27 February 272 – 22 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, or known mononymously as Constantine, was Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337 and the first Roman emperor to convert to...
Start of Imperial Indiction
Start of Imperial Indiction
Start of Roman (Pontifical) Indiction
Start of Roman (Pontifical) Indiction
Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule
The history of the Jews in the Roman Empire traces the interaction of Jews and Romans during the period of the Roman Empire (27 BC – 476 AD).
St Silvester I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
St Silvester I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
More from the 310s
Start of Roman (Pontifical) Indiction
Start of Roman (Pontifical) Indiction
Roman Emperor Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross
Constantine I (27 February 272 – 22 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, or known mononymously as Constantine, was Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337 and the first Roman emperor to convert to...
St Silvester I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
St Silvester I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
St. Eusebius begins his reign as Catholic Pope
St. Eusebius begins his reign as Catholic Pope
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on April 30, 311?
- Early Christians were heavily persecuted throughout the Roman Empire until the 3rd century. Although Christianity initially emerged as a small Jewish movement in 1st-century Judaea, it quickly branched off as a separate religion and began spreading across the various Roman territories at a pace that put it at odds with the well-established Roman imperial cult, to which it stood in opposition; Christians were vocal in their expressions of abhorrence towards the beliefs and practices of Roman paganism, such as deifying and making ritual sacrifices to the Roman emperor or partaking in other methods of idolatry.
- Why is Roman Emperor Galerius issues the Edict of Toleration, ending the persecution... significant?
- Early Christians were heavily persecuted throughout the Roman Empire until the 3rd century.