The Roman Empire Accepts Christianity
Christianity gained official acceptance in the Roman Empire when Emperor Constantine ended persecution and granted religious freedom in 313 CE, and it later became the empire official religion, fundamentally transforming both church and state, as taught in Grade 7 California myWorld Interactive Chapter 1: The Roman and Byzantine Empires. Despite early brutal persecution including by Emperor Nero, the faith continued to spread until this dramatic reversal. This topic helps 7th grade students understand how Christianity grew from a persecuted minority faith to Rome official religion.
Key Concepts
At first, Roman leaders viewed Christianity with suspicion. Some emperors persecuted Christians, and many were killed for their beliefs. For example, Emperor Nero falsely blamed Christians for a great fire in Rome.
Despite this danger, the faith continued to spread. A major turning point came with Emperor Constantine . In 313 CE, he ended the persecution and granted religious freedom to all people in the empire, including Christians.
Common Questions
Who was Emperor Constantine and why is he important to Christianity?
Emperor Constantine was a Roman emperor who in 313 CE ended the persecution of Christians and granted religious freedom to all people in the empire, marking the key turning point in Christianity gaining imperial acceptance.
How was Christianity treated in the early Roman Empire?
Early Roman leaders viewed Christianity with suspicion and some emperors persecuted Christians. Emperor Nero, for example, falsely blamed Christians for the great fire of Rome.
When did Christianity become the official religion of Rome?
By the late 300s CE, Christianity had become the official religion of the Roman Empire, following Emperor Constantine ending persecution in 313 CE and granting religious freedom.
What does Grade 7 history teach about Christianity in Rome?
California myWorld Interactive Grade 7, Chapter 1: The Roman and Byzantine Empires covers how Christianity went from a persecuted faith to the official Roman religion after Emperor Constantine granted religious freedom in 313 CE.
Why did Emperor Nero persecute Christians?
Emperor Nero persecuted Christians by falsely blaming them for a great fire in Rome, using them as scapegoats in an early example of the Roman government targeting the new religious group.