Jesus spends three years preaching, is killed by Roman leaders. Jesus' followers believe he is the Messiah and Savior who has risen from the dead. Saul (the persecutor) becomes Paul (the evangelist), spreading Jesus' message (one true God, not Roman gods). Christianity evolves from cult status to established, official structure. priest, bishops, pope (Bishop of Rome) Christians and Jews were monotheistic (believing in one God) this conflicted with Roman beliefs persecution against both was common. Christianity appealed to the poor, and since there were many poor, their numbers grew as it grew, even some Roman leaders embraced Christianity AD 313: Constantine has a battlefield conversion He issues the Edict of Milan Not only no persecution, but actual approval of Christianity, eventually making it the official religion of Rome the Roman Empire and Christianity are now linked in power and influence AD 180: Rome has problems economic (trade became risky; taxes were too high; food supply was dropping) military (frontiers were hard to patrol; Roman generals fought for control; soldiers' loyalty declined and mercenaries appeared) Diocletian divided the empire into two

Greek-speaking East (had more resources) Latin-speaking West (Rome, tradition) AD 324 - Constantine becomes emperor over both halves of the empire moves the capital from Rome to Byzantium (renamed Constantinople), where Asia met Europe (now Turkey) after his death, empire is divided again this time, "barbarian invaders" (Huns, Vandals, Visigoths, Angles, Saxons, Franks) overrun the empire's frontiers that's it for the Roman Empire (AD 476)