
The earliest known depiction of the Christian
trinity from around 350 A.D. (C.E.)
During the time of the Roman Empire, the religion of Christianity was born and spread throughout the region. Based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, Christianity is a monotheistic religion that conflicted with the polytheistic Roman religion. Despite the fact that the Roman government heavily persecuted Christians, they were comforted by their belief that in accepting Jesus as the Messiah, they would receive eternal life in Heaven. Throughout the 1st century A.D. (C.E.), Jesus' apostles traveled around the Roman Empire setting up Christian settlements. The spread of Christianity led to the organization of the religion.
In the 4th century A.D. (C.E.), the situation in Rome changed as the emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. He issued the Edict of Milan, a document that prohibited the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Eventually, Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire.