Read Works
Read Works: Christianity: Constantine
[Free Registration/Login Required] A literary text about Constantine and his conversion to Christianity. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
The Vatican: Baptism and Christian Life
This site from The Vatican contains the Roman Catholic Church's view and attitude towards the sacrament of Baptism and does so through a Papal letter in preparation for the Jubilee.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Medieval Sourcebook: Laws of Constantine
This site, which is provided for by the Medieval Sourcebook of Fordham University, gives the text of five of the laws passed by Constantine regarding Catholics and the Christian Church.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Medieval Sourcebook: Edicts Against Christians
This site from the Fordham University provides some primary source documents on Emperor Diocletian. Great information, and it shows the level of persecution against the Christians in ancient Rome.
Forum Romanum
Outlines of Roman History: The Reign of Marcus Aurelius (Ad 161 180)
Read this entry from William Morey's 1901 text to find out about Marcus Aurelius, one of the five good emperors, who was known as a philosopher.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Numismatic Collection: Spain and Its Coins
Read about the history of Spain through its coins, beginning the Greeks and Romans in ancient Spain, all the way up to the 20th century. Spain's long history is reflected in the examples of its coins presented here.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Mithraic Mysteries
Wikipedia provides information on Mithraism, a secret mystery religion of the Roman Empire.
University of Calgary
University of Calgary: The End of Europe's Middle Ages
This useful tutorial includes information about the economy, feudalism, the Holy Roman Empire and other important topics pertaining to Europe in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, a time of transition in European history. Easy to...
Other
Prayerbook: The Letter of Paul to the Romans
Details about Paul's letter to the Christian community at Rome, which centers on the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Christianity
Discusses the Christian religion, the province of Judea, the story of Jesus, belief system, persecution by the Romans, the spread of Christianity, and the different Christian sects that have evolved.
Ibis Communications
Eye Witness: Nero Persecutes the Christians, 64 a.d.
This article provides a general overview of how Emperor Nero laid blame for the burning of Rome onto the Christians and put many to death.
PBS
Timeline of Peter and Paul
A timeline that is a part of a PBS documentary about Peter and Paul. The timeline shows what is happening in the Roman Empire at the same time as events in the Jewish communities.
PBS
Pbs Frontline: Jesus & Jehohanan an Archaeological Note on Crucifixion
An article which summarizes recent archaeological discoveries regarding the practice of crucifixion. It notes that the Romans would use the arms and not the hands to nail someone to the cross.
Other
Ray Stedman: Adventuring Through the Bible
"Adventuring Through the Bible" is a comprehensive guide to the entire Bible with Bible commentary. This site is an excellent place to start if you are new to the Bible and/or have questions about evangelical Christianity.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Geographic Spread and Development of Christianity (Lesson Plans)
Find two lesson plans designed to accompany the PBS documentary "Peter and Paul and the Christian Revolution" that are particularly well suited to the study of the spread of Christianity. Students will research Christianity, Judaism, and...
PBS
Pbs: Chronology of Early Christianity
A detailed timeline on the early history of the religion from the time of Julius Caesar (44 B.C.E.) to 327 C.E. and the death of Constantine.
Georgetown University
Augustine: Christianity and Society
A scholarly article on St. Augustine's religious philosophy. It includes an examination of his major theological work "City of God".
Curated OER
Bbc History: Ancient History: Romans: Roman Religions: Catacomb Fresco
Fresco of the Good Shepard painted on the ceiling of cataccomb (an underground burial chamber) in ancient Rome (early fourth century A.D.).
PBS
Pbs Frontline: Pliny's Policy of Execution
An nice article which describes the first attempt of the Romans to deal with early Christians in 112 C.E. Pliny the Younger decided to use execution and it marks the beginning of the Roman persecution of the Christians.
PBS
Pbs Frontline: Letters of Pliny the Younger & Emperor Trajan
The actual letters written between Pliny and the Emperor about the issue of early Christianity. It was the first time the Romans recognized the religion as separate from Judaism.
PBS
Pbs Frontline: The Martyrs
A very nice account which delves into the background of the persecutions of the early Christians under the Romans. The article provides specific historical details as to why and how Christians were being attacked.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Catholics & the 20th Century
This National Humanities Center essay discusses the movement of American Roman Catholicism into mainstream culture from a historical perspective.
Other
Music History Online: Music Before the 16th Century
Learn about music dating from the early Neanderthals to the Proto-Renaissance period. Also included is music from the Greeks and Romans as well as the early Christian church.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Religion in Medieval Europe
Detailed description of the role of the Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages and the power that it wielded. Summarizes some of the customs and beliefs, and takes a look at the life of a medieval monk.