Christian Persecutions in Roman Empire

Early Christian Church and Missionaries

• The first great missionary of the Christian church was Paul of Tarsus, known for spreading Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

Persecution and Martyrdom

• Emperor Nero made being a Christian a crime and infamously blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in A.D. 64, which devastated half the city.
• An elderly Christian leader arrested in Asia Minor who refused to blaspheme was Polycarp, a significant figure in early Christianity.
• Christians who willingly gave their lives instead of denying their faith were referred to as martyrs.

Gladiatorial Games

• Gladiators fought in arenas, such as the Colosseum in Rome, where they engaged in brutal combat for public entertainment, often resulting in death.

Christianity and Torture

• Perpetua was a Christian martyr who faced torture for her faith and was ultimately killed by wild animals in the arena.

Historical Context

• Constantine became emperor in A.D. 306 and was pivotal in the spread of Christianity, notably through the Edict of Milan in A.D. 313 granting religious tolerance.
• Tertullian declared in A.D. 197 that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church," emphasizing the strength and growth of Christianity through martyrdom.

Invasions and Societal Structure

• The Vandals, a Germanic tribe, invaded Rome in A.D. 455, known for their destructive sacking of the city.
• During the Middle Ages, serfs and peasants made promises of labor and service to landowners in exchange for protection and the right to work the land.

Significant Figures and Institutions

• Charlemagne was crowned as emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III in A.D. 800, establishing a significant alliance between the church and monarchy.
• The headquarters of the Eastern Orthodox Church was established in Constantinople, which played a crucial role in the spread of Eastern Christianity.

Explore the history of Christian persecution in the Roman Empire, including the role of Emperor Nero and Apostle Paul. Learn about significant events like the fire in Rome and understand the challenges faced by early Christians.