Fall of Rome and Spread of Christianity

Tiberius Gracchus held the office of ‘tribune’ during this time, trouble started to arose when Tiberius’s land bill was passed, also with the possibility of him trying to run for reelection. Some saw this as him exploiting social concerns in order to gain power for himself.

The rise of private armies, Gaius Marius defeats Germanic invaders that changed the course of the Roman history. In order to fill his legion he hired/signed up any citizen regardless of if they owned land.

Consul Lucius Cornelius Sulla used his private army to drive out Gaius Marius from Rome. Sulla won the bloody civil war between the followers of the two armies. After his victory Sulla ruled as a military dictator until 79BC.

The First Triumvirate was composed of three men, Pompeious Magnus, Licinius Crassus, and Julius Caesar. They all combined their influence to seize power in Rome.

Caesar Dictatorship, having defeated all his enemies Caesar was granted a 10-year dictatorship with the purpose in mind of restoring the republic. During this time, about 44 BC he declared himself “Dictator in Perpetuo,” he was murder a few weeks latter by some 60 senators. The damage was done and the precedent of rule by one man had been recognized.

Jesus Christ is born.

30-33 AD: Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea preaching along with gaining followers.

Various scholars (church fathers) wrote books about Christianity.

274-337 AD: Constantine issued the “Edict of Milan” which legalized Christianity throughout in the empire. Constantine finally died in 327 AD while he was attempting to Christianize Persia.

Emperor Diocletian carried out the last great prosecution of Christians. It failed and Roman officials realized Christianity was to strong to be destroyed.