Christianity begins
A small Jewish movement becomes the world's largest religion
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The movement spread rapidly along Roman roads and trade routes, especially in cities, and appealed to low-status groups because it drew no distinction between slave and free, man and woman, Jew and Greek. Constantine's edict of toleration in 313 and Theodosius' decree of 380 made it the state religion. The Church then became one of Europe's most durable institutions: preserving classical literature, founding the universities, and shaping law, art and the calendar — while also wielding power and persecution in its own name.
For children
A Jewish teacher from Galilee gathered followers around a message of forgiveness and the equal worth of every person. He was executed by the Romans, but his followers kept spreading the message. After 300 years it had become the Roman Empire's own religion.
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Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org