Early Christianity refers to the first three centuries of the faith, from the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth in Roman-ruled Judea through to the First Council of Nicaea. After Jesus's death his followers spread his message across the Roman Empire, helped by missionaries such as Paul of Tarsus and by the empire's roads and the common use of Greek. The communities were often persecuted by Roman authorities, notably under Nero, Decius and Diocletian, but they continued to grow. The New Testament writings were produced and debates about doctrine developed. Christianity gained legal toleration in the early fourth century and was later made the state religion of the Roman Empire.
Before and after
- 17 CEDeath of Ovid
- c. 20 CEBirth of Mark the Evangelist
- c. 20 CEConstruction of the Roman Theatre of Orange
- from 30 CE to 375 CEKushan Empire
- from c. 30 CE to 325 CEEarly Christianity
- 7 April 30 CECrucifixion of Jesus
- c. 33 CEDeath of Jesus Christ
- 33 CEOrigins of Christianity
- 37 CEBirth of Josephus
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- 11 May 330 CEConstantine dedicates Constantinople
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 1st century.