Christianity began as a small movement in the Roman province of Judea during the first century AD. Jesus of Nazareth preached primarily to Jewish audiences, and after His crucifixion and resurrection, His followers began spreading His teachings across the Roman Empire. What started with a few disciples eventually became one of the largest religions in human history. The Roman Empire played a major role in Christianity’s spread. Roman roads, trade routes, and common languages like Greek made travel and communication easier than ever before. Apostles such as Paul traveled thousands of miles preaching in cities including Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, and Rome. Many of Paul’s letters to early churches later became part of the New Testament. Despite its growth, Christianity faced severe persecution. Roman authorities often viewed Christians as a threat because they refused to worship Roman gods and emperors. During the reign of Emperor Nero, Christians were blamed for the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64. Many believers were imprisoned or executed for their faith. Yet persecution often strengthened Christian communities instead of destroying them. Believers met secretly in homes and catacombs, preserving their teachings and encouraging one another. Over time, Christianity continued spreading throughout the empire. A major turning point came under Emperor Constantine in the early fourth century. After the Edict of Milan in AD 313, Christianity became legal in the Roman Empire. Later, it gained even greater influence and eventually became the empire’s dominant religion. The rise of Christianity transformed world history. It influenced law, ethics, art, education, philosophy, and culture across civilizations. The Bible, once copied secretly by hand, became widely distributed throughout the Roman world and beyond.