64 AD: Peter and Paul in Rome. First persecution of Christians by Nero.

66-70: Jewish War, ending with destruction of Jerusalem.

70’s-80’s: Composition of Gospels.

90’s AD: Persecution under emperor Domitian, who was possibly the original inspiration for "Antichrist" in the Book of Revelations.

c.110: Pliny writes to emperor Trajan asking what to do with suspected Christians. Trajan’s answer: Don’t ask, don’t tell.

c.200: Tertullian writes in Carthage.

203: Martyrdom of Perpetua, in Carthage.

249-251: First empire-wide persecution of Christians, under Decius.

260: Persecution under Valerian.

260-303: The "Peace of the Church." Christian numbers expand.

c.300: Eusebius of Caesarea composes his History of the Church.

303-305: The "Great Persecution" under Diocletian. Persecution continues in parts of the empire until 312.

312: Constantine defeats Maxentius and gains control of Rome. Constantine’s "vision."

313: "Edict of Milan" guarantees tolerance for Christianity. Constantine begins granting a variety of privileges to the church.

324: Constantine becomes sole emperor, takes control of east.

325: First ecumenical council of the Christian church meets at Nicaea.

330: Constantine founds a "new Rome" at Byzantium, renamed Constantinople.