INFORMATION IN THIS SITE UPDATED: 22:55 EDT (26:55 GMT) 10/24/02
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Birth of Jesus of Nazareth
placed at 4 BCE |
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| 1 |
Common Era Begins |
Anno Domini (AD)
years begin to be counted |
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1 |
| 14 |
Augustus dies. |
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Tiberius |
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14 |
| 26 |
26-36 Pontius Pilate governor of Judea.
John the Baptist is executed on orders from Herod Antipas.
c. 26-29: Jesus of Nazareth travels around Judea and Galilee attracting discliples and crowds to his message of love and care for one another. Accounts of his disciples and followers, his parables and miracles, the opposition to his teaching, and his prophecies about his own fate, are collected by his disciples according to the oral tradition of the time. |
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26 |
| 29 |
Jesus of Nazareth crucified in Jerusalem
Jesus' birth is estimated at 4 BCE; If the date for the death of John the Baptist is accurate at 26 CE, the crucifixion of Jesus must have taken place at 29 CE and he must have been 33 years of age.
After the crucifiction, the Apostles begin spreading the teachings of Jesus, first in Judea and Galillee, then to the gentiles in Greece, Rome and elsewhere.
The Apostle Paul (Saul) first uses the Greek word "Hristos" (Christ) to describe Jesus as the "Messiah" (Christ means Messiah in Greek) while preaching to the gentiles in Antioch.
During the first decade after Jesus' crucifixion the church that grows in His name is split between those who follow James, brother of Jesus, and Peter, His favoprite disciple, who maintain that followers should abide by the Laws of Moses and be circumcised, and, the followers of Paul, mainly gentiles. Paul makes a passionate case at the First Apostolic Counsel for accepting gentiles into the faith but without forcing the Law of Moses to the letter upon them. Paul, arguably, is solely responsible for the fact that the teachings of Jesus, as told by Paul, reached the gentiles in Greece and Rome.
Christianity, as it becomes known after the first decades, is seeded and will flourish within Judaism until the execution of James, brother of Jesus, and then among gentiles in Antioch, Athens, Ephesus, Corinth, Rome, Byzantium and elsewhere until the Third Century and subsequently evolve into a new religion in 325 CE with the establishment of The Creed of Faith.
During the first two centuries of the Common Era Christian communities are established around the Mediterranean basin.
The first Christians celebrate family suppers in memory of Jesus' Last Supper with the disciples before his crucifiction. This practice gives birth to the traditions which will eventually evolve into the Holy Litourgy (Mass) and the sharing of wine and bread to represent the Blood and Body of Christ. A tradition which culminates in the mystery of Eucharist (Communion) during litourgy, where it is believed that the offerings of wine and bread are transformed into the Blood and Body of Christ
After the death of the Apostles Christian communities gradually develop their own separate theology, dogma and tradition, spreading the teachings of Christianity to all parts of the known world, throughout the Roman Empire. These rising variations on dogma and tradition will necessitate the First Oecumenical council which will be called by Emperor Constantine the Great, St. Constantine, in Nicea, near Constantinople, in 325 C.E. in order to proclaim one Creed of the Christian Faith. |
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29 |
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Stephen the "deacon" is martyred; the Church scatters |
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36 |
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Head of Christian Church at Byzantium (later Constantinople) named:
BISHOP of BYZANTIUM
Jonathon, a son of Annas (High Priest from AD6-15), replaces Annas' son-in-law Caiaphas as High Priest in Jerusalem.
Paul makes his first visit as a Christian to Jerusalem. This follows his journey to Arabia and return to Damascus to preach (Galatians 1:17). Paul is forced to leave Jerusalem and goes to his home town of Tarsus (Acts 9:30)
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Gaius (Caligula) |
St. Andrew the Apostle |
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37 |
| 38 |
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The conversion of Saul (later Paul) on the road to Damascus |
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Stachys the Apostle |
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38 |
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Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and his wife Herodias, are forced into exile in Gaul (France) by Caligula. Galilee and Perea are granted to King Herod Agrippa I to add to the territories already held since AD37
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39 |
| 40 |
40-65 Missions of Paul and associates, especially to Gentiles
The word Christians first used by Paul (Saul) to describe believers in Antioch
AD40-50 - According to tradition, Matthew wrote the GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, originally in Aramaic. |
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40 |
| 41 |
King Herod Agrippa I is now granted Judea and Samaria by Claudius. The line of Roman procurators temporarily comes to an end. After just four years, Agrippa I's kingdom equals that of his grandfather, Herod the Great (37-4BC).
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Claudius |
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41 |
| 42 |
Head of Christian Church at Rome named:
BISHOP OF ROME
Paul joins Barnabas to work with the established church in Syrian Antioch |
1 St. Peter |
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42 |
| 43 |
Under Claudius, the Roman conquest of Britannia (Britain) begins |
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43 |
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Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great and son of the murdered Aristobulus is made king and granted Iturea and Trachonitis by his friend, the emperor Caligula. The territories were previously ruled by his deceased uncle, Philip. He is also granted Abilene, once ruled by Lysanias
The apostle James, brother of John and son of Zebedee, is beheaded, and Peter imprisoned on the orders of King Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-3)
King Herod Agrippa I dies suddenly in Caesarea (Acts 12:23). His son, Agrippa II, is too young to rule, and all the Jewish provinces return to direct Roman control. Roman procurators are again appointed over Judea.
Of Agrippa I's daughters, Drusilla later marries Felix, a Roman procurator of Judea (Acts 24:24), and Bernice becomes a close companion of her brother Agrippa II (Acts 25:13)
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AD45-50 - The LETTER OF JAMES is written, probably by James, brother of Jesus, sometime before the Council held at Jerusalem in c AD49
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45 |
| 46 |
Paul's first missionary journey c AD46-48 |
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46 |
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47-48 Paul and Barnabas on Cyprus [Acts 13, 4-12] |
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AD48 or 49 - Paul may have written his LETTER TO THE GALATIANS around this time from Syrian Antioch, or on the way to the Council of Jerusalem; otherwise c AD56 or 57
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48 |
| 49 |
Apostolic Council held at Jerusalem
Paul's second Missionary journey c AD49-52 |
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49 |
| 50 |
50-95 Books of New Testament written
Emperor Claudius expels the Jews from Rome
Herod Agrippa II is old enough to be appointed king of Chalcis by emperor Claudius |
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50 |
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AD49-52 (range, 2 to 4 years between AD48-54) - Paul and Silas leave Syrian Antioch for the SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY. They travel through Asia Minor (present day Turkey), before crossing to Macedonia (northern Greece). Paul then sails south to Corinth in Achaia (southern Greece) and stays for 18 months. Here he appears before the proconsul Gallio, and writes his FIRST and SECOND LETTERS TO THE THESSALONIANS. Sailing for Palestine, he calls in at Ephesus (western Turkey), before returning to Syrian Antioch via Jerusalem
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51 |
| 52 |
AD50-60 - Oral traditions about the life and ministry of Jesus continue to be committed to writing, and collections assembled
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52 |
| 53 |
Paul's third Missionary journey c AD53-58
From AD53, King Herod Agrippa II, exchanges Chalcis for parts of Iturea and Trachonitis, Galilee and Perea.
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53 |
| 54 |
Claudius, Roman emperor, is poisoned, succeeded by Nero |
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Nero |
Onesimus |
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54 |
| 58 |
c AD58-60 Paul's arrest in Jerusalem and imprisonment in Caesaria for trial before the procurator Felix. He is also seen by Drusilla, Felix's wife. Paul is kept in prison for two years |
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58 |
| 60 |
In Britannia, Boadicea, queen of the Iceni, revolts against Roman rule but is defeated and killed by the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus
Paul's journey to Rome and continued imprisonment c AD60-63.
Paul sails for Rome, is shipwrecked on Malta where he stays for three months and meets Publius, the chief official. He continues on to Rome via Sicily.
Paul under house arrest in Rome for two years. During these years, he writes his Letters to the Colossians, to philemon, to the Ephesians, and to the Philippians |
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60 |
| 63 |
Joseph of Arimathea came to Glastonbury on the first Christian mission to Britain |
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63 |
| 64 |
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Paul's possible release from imprisonment in Rome c AD64-67
Paul may have been released from house arrest in Rome, and travelled to Spain?, Macedonia, Achaia, Crete, and Asia Minor (Turkey)
c AD64-67 - The apostle Peter wrote the First Letter of Peter, and possibly the Second letter during this period
c AD64 - During the persecutions that follow the fire, the apostles Peter and Paul may have been martyred. According to tradition Peter was crucified head downwards, and Paul beheaded, both in Rome. Paul, however, may have been on his further travels at this time, following his earlier release from house arrest, and Peter executed later
Roman emperor Nero (37-68) accuses the Christians of having started the fire which destroyed large sections of Rome, thus initiating widespread persecution.
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64 |
| 65 |
The Letter to Hebrews addressed to Jewish Christians may have been written about this time
c AD65-70 - The Gospel Of Mark may have been written, traditionally in Rome, around the time of Peter's execution
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| 66 |
If Paul was released, he would have written his First Letter to Timothy and his Letter to Titus around now, perhaps from the Macedonia area
AD66-73 - Jewish war against Roman rule. The campaign in Judea is initially led by the Roman general Vespasian. Many Jews, and probably Christians leave Jerusalem
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66 |
| 67 |
Paul is possibly re-arrested, taken to Rome, and sometime before execution, wrote his Second Letter to Timothy.
The Letter to Jude, brother of James and thus Jesus, may have been written around this time, possibly in Palestine
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2 St. Linus |
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67 |
| 68 |
Emperor Nero commits suicide
cAD68-70 - The Book of Revelation may have been written at this time, following the persecutions of Nero, but before the Fall of Jerusalem. Otherwise Revelation was written towards the end of the 1st century.
Qumran (Essenes?) community destroyed by Rome, site of Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1949
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68 |
| 69 |
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After Nero's suicide, Galba, Otho and Vitellius are emperors of Rome in quick succession |
Polycarpus I |
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69 |
| 70 |
Jewish revolt, Sacking of Jerusalem by the Romans: Jerusalem is captured by Titus and the Temple destroyed
Destruction of the Temple
Diaspora begins
Separation of Christianity from Judaism widens after capture of Jerusalem |
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Vespasian |
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70 |
| 73 |
Jewish resistance ends with the fall of the fortress of Masada, last remaining stronghold of Jewish Zealots |
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73 |
| 75 |
75-77 The Roman conquest of Britain is complete as Wales is finally subdued; Julius Agricola is imperial governor (to 84) |
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75 |
| 76 |
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3 St. Anacletus |
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76 |
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Mount Vesuvius catastrophic eruption.
The Roman resort towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum are burried in the ashes, preserving a snapshot of Roman life for the millenia to come. |
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79 |
| 80 |
c. 80-100 Gospel of Matthew is composed. |
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80 |
| 81 |
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Titus
Domitian |
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81 |
| 88 |
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4 St. Clement I |
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88 |
| 89 |
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L. Antonius Saturninus |
Plutarch |
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89 |
| 90 |
cAD90-100 - The First, Second and Third Letters of John are written by the apostle John from Ephesus
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90 |
| 96 |
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Nerva |
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96 |
| 97 |
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5 St. Evaristus |
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97 |
| 98 |
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Trajan |
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98 |
| 100 |
The apostle John, according to tradition, dies a natural death at Ephesus
c. 100-125 Gospel of John is composed.
100-150 Writings of apostolic fathers show a concern with unity and good order of churches
First London Bridge is built across the Thames by the Romans. |
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100 |
| 105 |
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6 St. Alexander I |
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Sedecion |
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105 |
| 112 |
Pliny, governor of Bithynia, consults Emperor Trajan on how to deal with those accused as Christians |
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112 |
| 114 |
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Diogenes |
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114 |
| 115 |
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7 St. Sixtus I |
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115 |
| 117 |
117-138: Hadrian emperor of Rome, improves defenses and codifies law. |
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Hadrian |
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117 |
| 122 |
Construction of Hadrian's Wall in Britain begins, to mark the northernmost border of the empire separating the areas that are today England and Scotland. |
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122 |
| 125 |
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8 St. Telesphorus |
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125 |
| 129 |
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Eleutherius |
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129 |
| 132 |
Shimeon Bar-Kokhba and Rabbi Akiba Ben-Joseph lead Jews in a revolt against Roman rule. They capture Jerusalem and create an independent state of Israel. |
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132 |
| 133 |
Julius Severus governor of Britain is sent to Palestine to crush the revolt |
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133 |
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Julius Severus, formerly governor of Britain, crushes the revolt in Palestine. Final Diaspora (dispersion) of the Jews occurs. |
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135 |
| 136 |
The bishop of Rome, Hyginus, assumes the title of "pope" |
9 St. Hyginus |
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Felix |
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136 |
| 138 |
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Antoninus Pius |
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138 |
| 140 |
Justin founds school of Christian philosophy at Rome
Shepherd of Hermas is written, presenting a highly developed system of bishops, deacons, and priests. |
10 St. Pius I |
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140 |
| 141 |
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Polycarpus II |
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141 |
| 144 |
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Athendodorus |
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144 |
| 148 |
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Euzois |
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148 |
| 150 |
Four "canonical" gospels are collected together.
School of Alexandria is founded in Egypt, quickly becoming a major center for both Christian theology and Greek philosophy. Among its prominent teachers are the theologians Clement (died c. 215) and Origen (c. 185 - 254). |
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| 154 |
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Laurence |
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154 |
| 155 |
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11 St. Anicetus |
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155 |
| 161 |
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Marcus Aurelius |
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161 |
| 165 |
Justin's martyrdom |
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165 |
| 166 |
Roman Emporer Marcus Aurelius sends gifts to Chinese Emperor Huan Ti. |
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Alypius |
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166 |
| 167 |
At the request of King Lucius the missionaries Phagan and Deruvian were said to have been sent by Pope Eleutherius to convert the Britons to Christianity. This is perhaps the most widely believed of the legends of the founding of Christianity in Britain. |
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167 |
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12 St. Soterus |
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168 |
| 169 |
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Pertinax |
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169 |
| 170 |
Celsus writes True Word, the first book opposing Christianity |
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170 |
| 175 |
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13 St. Eleutherius |
Avidius Cassius |
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175 |
| 180 |
180-200 Irenaeus of Lyons preaches to Celts in Gaul, refuting gnosticism
Clement heads school of "true gnosticism" in Alexandria
Irenaeus (125 - c. 202), Catholic theologian, writes Against Heresies in an attempt to fight the spread of Gnosticism. He claimed that "every church must agree" with the church of Rome because of its apostolic authority.
First African Christians are martyred at Scillium. |
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Commodus |
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180 |
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Lucius Artorius Castus commander of a detachment of Sarmatian conscripts stationed in Britain led his troops to Gaul to quell a rebellion. This is the first appearance of the name Artorius in history and some believe that this Roman military man is the original or basis for the Arthurian legend. The theory says that Castus' exploits in Gaul at the head of a contingent of mounted troops are the basis for later similar traditions about "King Arthur and, further, that the name Artorius" became a title or honorific which was ascribed to a famous warrior in the fifth century. |
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184 |
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Olympians |
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187 |
| 189 |
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14 St. Victor I |
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189 |
| 190 |
Christian council determine "official" date of Easter. |
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190 |
| 192 |
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Pertinax |
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192 |
| 193 |
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Didius Julianus |
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193 |
| 197 |
Tertullian begins writing apologetics in Carthage, Afica
First recorded usage of the term "catholic" appears in the writings of Apollonius; used in reference to 1 John. The word ³catholic² in Greek means ³all encompassing² (uniqueness, no variation). |
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197 |
| 198 |
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Mark I |
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198 |
| 199 |
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5 St. Zephirinus |
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199 |
| 200 |
First mention of Christians in Britain
New Testament canon is mostly fixed in currently known form. |
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200 |
| 203 |
Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas in Carthage |
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203 |
| 208 |
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Severus goes to defend Britain and repairs Hadrian's Wall |
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208 |
| 209 |
St. Alban first British martyr was killed for his faith in one of the few persecutions of Christians ever to take place on the island during the governorship of Gaius Junius Faustinus Postumianus |
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209 |
| 211 |
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Antoninus (Caracalla) |
Philadelphus |
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211 |
| 212 |
Origen begins traveling, commending Christianity to high ranking officials throughout the empire |
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212 |
| 215 |
Hippolytus of Rome compiles the Apostolic Tradition, describing how converts are to be discipled |
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215 |
| 217 |
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16 St. Calixtus I |
Macrinus |
Ciriacus I |
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217 |
| 218 |
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Diadumenianus |
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218 |
| 220 |
Goths invade Asia Minor |
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220 |
| 221 |
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[Hippolytus] |
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221 |
| 222 |
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17 St. Urban I |
Severus Alexander |
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222 |
| 225 |
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L. Seius Sallustius |
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225 |
| 230 |
Pope Urban I justifies the ownership of property by the Church, the elevation of bishops and the excommunication of heretics |
18 St. Pontianus |
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Castinus |
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230 |
| 231 |
Origen founds school at Caesarea (Palestine) |
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231 |
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19 St. Anterius |
Maximinus Thrax |
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235 |
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20 St. Fabianus |
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236 |
| 237 |
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Eugenius I |
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237 |
| 238 |
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Gordian I |
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238 |
| 240 |
Gregory "the Wonder Worker" appointed bishop of Pontus (in north Asia Minor) |
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Sabinianus |
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240 |
| 242 |
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Titus |
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242 |
| 244 |
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Philip the Arab |
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244 |
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Paul of Thebes retreats to the Egyptian desert and becomes the first Christian hermit |
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246 |
| 247 |
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Philip Iunior |
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247 |
| 248 |
Cyprian appointed bishop of Carthage, the largest church in Africa, only two years after his conversion
Origen defends Christianity in Against Celsus |
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Pacatianus |
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248 |
| 249 |
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Decius |
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249 |
| 250 |
250-300: Increasing invasions of Rome by the Franks and the Goths
Emperor Decius begins the first, though short-lived, general persecution of Christians |
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250 |
| 251 |
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21 St. Cornelius |
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251 |
| 252 |
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[Novatianus] |
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22 St. Lucius I |
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253 |
| 254 |
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23 St. Stephen I |
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254 |
| 256 |
Gaul overrun by the Germans from the Rhine |
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256 |
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24 St. Sixtus II |
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257 |
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25 St. Dionysius |
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259 |
| 260 |
260-305 Porphyry, a Neoplatonist philosopher, writes multivolume Against the Christians |
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260 |
| 264 |
A council excommunicates Paul of Samosata |
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264 |
| 268 |
Goths sack Athens, Corinth, and Sparta.
Lucianus of Antioch (born in Samosata) preaches that Jesus was only a man |
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Claudius II Gothicus |
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268 |
| 269 |
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26 St. Felix I |
Laelianus |
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269 |
| 270 |
Monasticism begins to spread in Egypt and Syria, promoting Christianity in rural areas
Anthony becomes a hermit in Egypt |
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Quintillus |
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270 |
| 271 |
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Domitianus |
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271 |
| 272 |
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Vaballathus |
Dometius |
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272 |
| 273 |
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Firmus |
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273 |
| 274 |
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Faustinus |
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274 |
| 275 |
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27 St. Eutychianus |
Tacitus |
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275 |
| 276 |
Mani is crucified by the Sassanids for tring to incorporate Judaism Christianity and Zoroastrianism into one religion ("manicheism") |
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Florianus |
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276 |
| 280 |
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Bonosus |
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280 |
| 281 |
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Saturninus |
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281 |
| 282 |
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Carus |
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282 |
| 283 |
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28 St. Caius |
Numerianus |
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283 |
| 284 |
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Diocletian |
Rufinus I |
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284 |
| 285 |
Papa is ordained first bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon (the first "catholico |
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Maximianus Herculius |
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285 |
| 286 |
Emperor Diocletian divides the empire - he rules the east and Maximilian rules the west.
Diocletian instigates the Tetrarchy, Consisting of one Augustus and one Ceasar in each of the two partitions. The empire will be ruled by the two sets of rulers (one higher placed tha his second in command) for only twelve years before the seconds in command attack their superiors and then each other. This is the path followed by Constantine, starting as Ceasar in York, south through Gaul, across the Milvian Bridge and into Rome in 312 C.E.
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286 |
| 293 |
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Allectus |
Probus |
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293 |
| 296 |
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29 St. Marcellinus |
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296 |
| 297 |
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L. Domitius Domitianus |
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297 |
| 301 |
Armenia becomes the first country to make Christianity its state religion.
the Armenian king Tiridates I converted by Gregory the Illuminator |
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301 |
| 303 |
Diocletian implements a Great Persecution of the Christians
emperor Diocletian orders a general persecution of the Christians |
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303 |
| 304 |
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Vacant, |
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304 |
| 305 |
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Maximinus Daia |
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305 |
| 306 |
Constantine proclaimed Emperor at York , Western Empire
The first bishop of Nisibis is ordained |
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Maxentius
Constantine I |
Metrophanes |
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306 |
| 308 |
Constantine takes Gaul |
30 St. Marcellus I |
L. Domitius Alexander |
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308 |
| 309 |
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31 St. Eusebius |
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309 |
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Donatus and others rebel against the appointment of the bishop of Carthage claiming independence of Church and state and claiming that the people could determine how worthy of administering sacraments a priest is |
32 St. Melchiades |
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311 |
| 312 |
312-337: Constantine the Great reunites Roman Empire with new capital at Byzantion called Constantinople
Roman emperor Constantine converts to Christianity |
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312 |
| 313 |
Edict of Milan:
After a victorius entry in Rome, following the battle of Milvian Bridge where Constantine defeated and killed Maxentius, Emperor Constantine issues the Edict of Milan, legalizing Christianity in the Roman Empire.
Constantine ends the persecution of the Christians.
A cathedral is built in Edessa |
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313 |
| 314 |
Head of Church at Rome named:
POPE
Gregory the Illuminator founds Armenian church
Donatism is condemned as a heresy |
33 St. Sylvester I |
Valens |
Alexander |
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314 |
| 315 |
Eusebius, the first church historian and later eulogist of Constantine, appointed bishop of Caesarea |
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