Decline of the Roman Empire

Rise of Christianity

• Saul (the persecutor) becomes Paul (the evangelist), spreading Jesus' message (one true, not Roman gods)
• Christianity evolves to cult status to established, official structure
• priest, bishops, pope (Bishop of Rome)
• Christians and Jews were monotheistic
• This conflicted with the Roman Beliefs
• persecution against both was common
• Christianity appealed to the poor, and since there were many poor, their numbers grew
• As it grew, even some Roman leaders embraced Christianity
• In AD 313: Constantine has a battlefield conversion
• He issues the Edict of Milan
• Not only no persecution, but actual approval of Christianity, eventually making it the official religion of Rome
• the Roman Empire and Christianity are now linked in power and influence