The Rise of Christianity in Ancient Rome

Christianity began in the Roman Empire. When Christianity was new, Christians were hunted as criminals.  They refused to worship Roman gods and that was against the law. People's names would be put on a list of suspects. These suspects went into hiding because they were wanted for questioning about anti-government activity. Since this was a serious crime, if they were arrested and found guilty, they would be thrown to the lions.

Even though Christianity was against the law, and the punishment severe if caught attending a Christian service or meeting, its numbers or followers grew rapidly.  Christians were always trying to convert people.  While some Christians were rich, most of the converts in Rome were from the poorer section.  There were two reasons for this.

• First, Christians promised that if you lived your life right you went to heaven when you died.  In the other Roman religion, only the gods could live in heaven.  Everyone else was consigned to the underworld.

• Second, every Christian considered themselves equal to every other Christian.  There was no nobility or higher caste.  (See plebeians and patricians.)

In 313 CE, Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made Christianity legal.  Under his leadership, Christians could no longer be arrested just for being Christian.  After a fairly short period of time, Christianity became the dominate religion of Rome.  After that, it became the law that you must be Christian to be a citizen of Rome. 

Emperor Nero Goes Insane (cartoon presentation for kids)

Religion in Ancient Rome

The First Christians