Christianity in Rome

What is the Origin of Widespread Christianity in the Roman Empire?

Pax Romana

When the first Emperor of Rome, Augustus, came to power (27 B.C.E.), peace spread throughout the empire. This peace was known as the Pax Romana (or Roman Peace) and lasted for almost 200 years. During this peace, Christianity was born, and because of this peace, it was able to spread. Christianity spread relatively peacefully until the end of the Pax Romana (180 C.E.), at which point Christians began to be heavily persecuted. Christians believed in Evangelism (spreading Christianity), that Jesus is the Messiah and the Holy Trinity. This monotheistic belief system did not sit well with the polytheistic system of Rome.

Constantine has a Vision

In 311 C.E. civil war broke out in Rome upon the death of the Roman emperor. Two men wanted to take the throne of the empire. One was Maxentius. The other was Constantine. Constantine marched his army toward Rome in 312 C.E. to battle Maxentius, whose army was twice as large as Constantine's army. One night before they were to battle, Constantine had a dream. In this dream, he was told that he would win the battle if he fought under the sign of the Christian cross. The next morning, he had his soldiers paint the Christian cross on their shields. Constantine won the battle that day.

Below is a painting depicting the Battle of Milvian Bridge painted in the 16th century. You can see Constantine in the middle in gold armor with three angels above him.

Constantine Approves Christianity

After winning the civil war, Constantine became Emperor Constantine I. In 313 C.E. he signed a letter called the Edict of Milan which ended the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Soon after, a church hierarchy was established and Rome was made the official center of the Christian Church. Rome shifted away from a polytheistic system and its Roman pantheon of gods to a monotheistic religious system under Christianity. The Roman Catholic church gained economic, social, and political power after this shift.

Constantine, on his deathbed, fully converted to Christianity by being baptized.