Early Church History

Early 5 BC
Imperial 300
Medieval 420
Modern 1498 2000

Birth of the Church 5 BC
First Era of Persecution 60
First Era of Peace 218
Second Era of Persecution 249
Second Era of Peace 260
The Great Persecution 302 311

First Era of Peace

218

First Era of Peace Begins

The next two emperors, Elagabalus (218-222) and Alexander Severus (222-235), pursued a syncretistic policy similar to that of Septimius Severus. But they did not attempt to force Jews and Christians to accept syncretism, or to stop seeking converts. It is said Alexander Severus had on his private altar, jointly with his various gods, images of Christ and Abraham. His mother, Julia Mammea, went to hear Origen lecture in Alexandria.

This content is cited under the fair use doctrine (Copyright Act of 1976 as 17 U.S.C. § 107). It uses material from Justo L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1., New York: Harper Collins (1984).

Early Church History

First Era of Peace

First Era of Peace Begins

Related Links

Story of Christianity, Vol. 1: The Early Church to the Reformation

Story of Christianity, Vol. 2: The Reformation to the Present Day