During the first century CE, a new religion took hold in Rome. It was called Christianity. The followers of Christianity were called Christians. Christians believed in one god. They refused to worship the Roman gods. In ancient Rome, that was against the law. Christians were hunted as criminals.  

In spite of persecution, Christians grew in numbers rapidly. Christians actively looked for converts. They told others about the benefits of being Christian. Christians came from every walk of life in ancient Rome, but Christianity had great appeal to Rome's poor.  

• Life After Death: Christianity promised life after death in heaven. In the Roman religion, only gods went to heaven. Emperors were considered gods. Everyone else went to the underworld. 
  

• Equality: Christianity promised equal opportunity. You had to be born into the nobility. You could join Christianity and be equally a Christian.
  

After nearly 300 years of persecution, in 313 CE, Emperor Constantine ruled that Christianity was legal and that Christians would no longer be persecuted for their beliefs. 

This does not mean that Rome finally had religious freedom. It meant only that it now legal to worship Roman gods or to be Christian. Every other religion was still illegal.

The lack of religious freedom in ancient Rome contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire. 

The First Christians 

Emperor Nero Goes Insane (cartoon powerpoint for kids) 

The Christian Fish Symbol