to convert to a new religion or belief is to change to a different religion or belief

a rival is a person who competes with someone else to get what only one of them can have

a vision is a dream or idea in your imagination

a bishop is a religious leader in some Christian churches

Constantine's conversion to Christianity

History

Early Christianity

Christianity in Western Europe

Christianity in the Eastern Roman Empire

The Christian Church in Aksum

Early Christianity's story

In 'The Romans: what is the story of Christianity's rise?' pupils build on their knowledge of the Roman Empire by studying an overview of Christianity's spread across the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Near East. In ‘Britain after the Romans: how did Christianity survive in the British Isles?’ pupils explore the evidence of where Christianity survived in Britain.

In 'The Romans: What impact did the Romans have on Britain?' pupils will examine, in depth, the way that Roman invasion and settlement changed life in Britain. In 'The Romans: what is the story of Christianity's rise?' pupils will build on their knowledge of the Roman Empire by studying an overview of Christianity's spread across the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Near East.

In this unit, pupils learn about the history of early Christianity's changing fortunes: from a persecuted faith to the official religion of the Roman Empire. They also learn about three great centres of this religion: Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the East African kingdom of Aksum.

The Romans: what is the story of Christianity's rise?

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Who was the first Christian Roman emperor?

a religious leader in some Christian churches

As a child, he witnessed the persecution of Christians.

Before the Battle of Milvian Bridge, he had a vision of a cross in the sky.

He became the emperor of the Western Roman Empire by defeating his rival.

In 324 CE, Constantine became sole emperor of the Roman Empire.

He brought together Christian bishops to agree the rules about Christianity.

Put the events about Constantine's life in the correct order.

Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium, which he renamed...

It made it legal for Christians to practise their religion openly.

It made it legal for Christians to be persecuted.

It allowed for freedom of religion throughout the Empire.

Everyone in the Empire had to worship the Roman gods.

It decided which parts of the Bible were more important than others.

It decided that Constantine was a god and should be worshipped.

It encouraged the acceptance of Christianity among the Romans.

Why was the Council of Nicaea important for Christianity?

Place the historical periods in the correct order.

a religion based on the teachings of Muhammad (PBUH)

a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ

a religion based on the teachings of Buddha

something that left a lasting impact on history

to be treated badly because of your religion, race or beliefs

The Eastern Roman Empire was also known as the {{}} Empire.

They refused to worship the emperor as a god.

Why were early Christians persecuted in the Roman Empire?

The capital of the Byzantine Empire was...

Constantine's conversion to Christianity

Lesson outcome

Content guidance