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Part of: The Early ChristiansWhen was the early church period?

Early Church History Timeline, AD 30–451

The short answer

The early church period runs from Pentecost in Jerusalem (c. AD 30) to the Council of Nicaea in 325, then more briefly on to Chalcedon in 451. Its turning points: Jerusalem falls (70), Decius orders the first empire-wide persecution (250), the Great Persecution begins (303), toleration comes in 311–313, and the Nicene Creed is written (325).

Sources for every dateUpdated 8 November 2026

Span
c. AD 30–451
Periods
Apostolic · Ante-Nicene · Nicene
Dates
80 in 7 eras
Open the writing
68 of 80
Can be heard
63

Looking for who the early Christians were and what they believed? Start with The Early Christians.

What no other timeline has

68 of 80 dates open the writing itself

c. 107–110 · Ignatius of Antioch, on the road to Rome

“I am the wheat of God, and let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, so I may become the pure bread of Christ.”

Ignatius, To the Romans ch. 4, in our library in plain modern English

ReadIgnatius, To the Romans ch. 4ListenIgnatius, To the Romans ch. 4

Tap Read to open the writing in our library, or Listen to open it ready to play (tap Play once). We know of no other timeline that links its events to the writings themselves, to read or to hear. Narration is computer-made (AI); each major writer has his own narrator voice.

15 key dates of the early church

From Pentecost to Chalcedon. Each button says what it opens.

  1. c. 30 or 33

    Pentecost: the Holy Spirit comes and the church begins in Jerusalem. Jerusalem

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 2 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 2 (KJV)

  2. c. 48–50

    The Council of Jerusalem: Gentile believers need not be circumcised. Jerusalem

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 15 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 15 (KJV)

  3. 64

    The Great Fire of Rome; Nero blames the Christians (in Rome only). Rome

    ReadTertullian, Apology ch. 21ListenTertullian, Apology ch. 21

  4. c. 64–68

    Peter and Paul die as martyrs in Rome (by tradition). Rome

    Read1 Clement ch. 5Listen1 Clement ch. 5

  5. 70

    Roman armies destroy Jerusalem and the Temple. Jerusalem

    Read about itStudy: Matthew 24 (topic page)ListenMatthew 24 (KJV)

  6. c. 100

    The Didache, a short church manual, is written (range c. 50–120). Place unknown

    ReadThe Didache ch. 1ListenThe Didache ch. 1

  7. c. 107–110

    Ignatius of Antioch writes seven letters on his way to die in Rome. Antioch to Rome

    ReadIgnatius, To the Romans ch. 4ListenIgnatius, To the Romans ch. 4

  8. c. 155

    Polycarp of Smyrna, about 86 years old, is burned alive. Smyrna

    ReadMartyrdom of Polycarp ch. 9ListenMartyrdom of Polycarp ch. 9

  9. 197

    Tertullian’s Apology: “the blood of Christians is seed.” Carthage

    ReadTertullian, Apology ch. 50ListenTertullian, Apology ch. 50

  10. 250–251

    Decius orders everyone to sacrifice: the first empire-wide persecution. Carthage and Alexandria

    ReadCyprian, On the LapsedListenCyprian, On the Lapsed

  11. 303

    The Great Persecution begins under Diocletian. Nicomedia

    ReadLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 12ListenLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 12

  12. 313

    The “Edict of Milan” grants freedom of worship. Milan

    ReadLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 48ListenLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 48

  13. 325

    Emperor Constantine calls the Council of Nicaea; it condemns Arius and issues the Nicene Creed, and the emperor exiles Arius. Nicaea

    ReadAlexander of Alexandria, writer pageRead about itChurch councils before Nicaea (topic page)

  14. 380

    Edict of Thessalonica: Nicene Christianity becomes the state religion, and other Christians are threatened with punishment. Thessalonica

    Read about itThe Roman Empire (topic page)

  15. 451

    The Council of Chalcedon: Christ is one person in two natures. Chalcedon

    Read about itThe two natures of Christ (topic page)

Roman persecutions at a glance

Which emperors persecuted Christians, and how widely. Each row names a witness you can open.

Common mistakes. Nero’s persecution (64) was in Rome only; Decius gave the first empire-wide order (250). The Milan letter (313) granted freedom of worship; Christianity became the state religion only in 380, under Theodosius. The Council of Nicaea did not decide the books of the Bible.

Early church history at a glance: 7 eras, 3 periods

Early church history timeline in seven eras, AD 30 to 451Era 1 Apostolic Age c. 30–100; 2 Apostolic Fathers c. 100–150; 3 Apologists and martyrs c. 150–180; 4 Irenaeus, Tertullian and Origen c. 180–250; 5 Empire-wide persecution 250–300; 6 Great Persecution to Nicaea 300–325; 7 After Nicaea 325–451.ApostolicAnte-NiceneNicene123456730100150180250300325451
  1. 1c. 30–100The Apostolic Age20 dates · 18 open the writing · 18 can be heard
  2. 2c. 100–150The Apostolic Fathers10 dates · 10 open the writing · 10 can be heard
  3. 3c. 150–180Apologists and martyrs11 dates · 9 open the writing · 9 can be heard
  4. 4c. 180–250Irenaeus, Tertullian and Origen10 dates · 10 open the writing · 10 can be heard
  5. 5250–300Empire-wide persecution9 dates · 8 open the writing · 8 can be heard
  6. 6300–325The Great Persecution to Nicaea9 dates · 8 open the writing · 7 can be heard
  7. 7325–451After Nicaea: creeds, councils, Chrysostom11 dates · 5 open the writing · 1 can be heard

Questions people ask about the early church timeline

Each answer gives the date, then the words of someone who was there or close to it, with a button to read or hear the whole text.

What are the main periods of early church history?

Date c. 30–451

Most historians use three: the Apostolic period (c. 30–100), the Ante-Nicene period (c. 100–325, before the Council of Nicaea) and the Nicene period (325–451). Some run the early church on to about 600.

  1. c. 30–100 Apostolic
  2. c. 100–325 Ante-Nicene
  3. 325–451 Nicene

See the seven eras · When was the early church period?

What were the key events of the first 300 years of Christianity?

Date c. 30–325

Pentecost (c. 30), the Council of Jerusalem (c. 48–50), Nero’s persecution in Rome (64), the fall of Jerusalem (70), the first empire-wide persecution under Decius (250–251), the Great Persecution (303), toleration in 311 and 313, and the Council of Nicaea (325).

In their words

Cover of Tertullian’s Apology in our library

“The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow. The blood of Christians is seed.”

— Tertullian, Apology ch. 50 · summer/autumn 197

ReadTertullian, Apology ch. 50ListenTertullian, Apology ch. 50

The 15 key dates

When was the New Testament written?

Date c. 50–100

Roughly AD 50 to 100. Paul’s 1 Thessalonians (c. 50) is often called the oldest book. Most scholars date the four Gospels c. 65–100; many conservatives put Matthew, Mark and Luke before 70. Revelation is usually dated c. 95.

In their words

Cover of Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 3 in our library

“Matthew also wrote a Gospel in the Hebrew language while Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome and laying the foundations of the Church.”

— Irenaeus, Against Heresies III.1 · c. 65–100 (disputed)

ReadIrenaeus, Against Heresies III.1ListenIrenaeus, Against Heresies III.1

1 Thessalonians 1 (KJV), read aloud · Which Gospel was written first?

When was the Didache written?

Date c. 100 (c. 50–120)

Usually about AD 100, though scholars give a range from about 50 to 120. It is a short church manual: the Two Ways, baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

In their words

Cover of The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (Didache) in our library

“There are two ways: one of life and one of death.”

— The Didache ch. 1 · c. 100 (range c. 50–120)

ReadThe Didache ch. 1ListenThe Didache ch. 1

The Didache and early church teaching

When did Peter and Paul die?

Date c. 64–68

By early tradition both died as martyrs in Rome under Nero, about 64–68. The New Testament does not record their deaths; Clement of Rome, writing about 96, is an early witness.

In their words

Cover of Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians in our library

“Peter, due to unrighteous envy, endured not just one or two, but numerous hardships”

— 1 Clement ch. 5 · c. 64–68 (tradition)

Read1 Clement ch. 5Listen1 Clement ch. 5

Peter and Rome

Which Roman emperors persecuted Christians, and when did it stop?

Date 64–313

Nero (64) struck in Rome only. Under Trajan (c. 112) Christians were punished if accused but not hunted. Decius (250) ordered the first empire-wide persecution, Valerian (257–258) struck at the clergy, and Diocletian began the Great Persecution (303). It ended with Galerius’ edict (311) and the Milan agreement (313).

In their words

Cover of Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died in our library

“We permit them once again to be Christians and to establish places for their religious assemblies, provided that they do not act against good order.”

— Lactantius, The Persecutors ch. 34 · 30 April 311

ReadLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 34ListenLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 34

Roman persecutions at a glance

When did Christians first meet on Sunday?

Date from the apostles; described c. 100–155

The New Testament already shows believers gathering on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). The Didache (c. 100) and Ignatius (c. 107–110) speak of meeting on the Lord’s day, and about 155 Justin Martyr describes the Sunday gathering in detail: readings, teaching, prayer and the Lord’s Supper.

In their words

Cover of Justin Martyr, First Apology in our library

“On the day called Sunday, everyone who lives in cities or in the country gathers together in one place.”

— Justin, First Apology ch. 67 · c. 155–157

ReadJustin, First Apology ch. 67ListenJustin, First Apology ch. 67

Acts 20:7 (KJV), read aloud · Sunday worship

When did Christianity become the religion of the Roman Empire?

Date 313 and 380

Not under Constantine. The Milan agreement of 313 gave Christians, and everyone else, freedom of worship. Nicene Christianity became the state religion on 27 February 380, by the Edict of Thessalonica under Theodosius. That law also threatened Christians who disagreed with the emperor’s punishment.

In their words

Cover of Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died in our library

“both Christians and all others should have the freedom to follow whatever religion each one thinks best”

— Lactantius, The Persecutors ch. 48 · 313

ReadLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 48ListenLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 48

Edict of Milan in early Christian writings · Did Constantine change Christianity?

What happened at the Council of Nicaea?

Date 325

In 325 Emperor Constantine called the bishops to Nicaea and opened the council. They condemned Arius’ teaching that the Son was created, issued the Nicene Creed (the Son “of one substance” with the Father) and set a common Easter date; Constantine then exiled Arius. Canon 12 still put under penance Christians who went back to the army after leaving it. The council did not decide which books belong in the Bible.

In their words

Written c. 318–324, before the council

Cover of Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy in our library

“there have arisen among us those hidden sprouts of theirs, Arius and Achilles”

— Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy · c. 318–324

ReadAlexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian HeresyListenAlexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy

Arianism · Church councils before Nicaea

When was the New Testament canon settled?

Date late 2nd c. – 397

There was no single moment. The Muratorian list (usually dated late 2nd century) is the oldest surviving list; Athanasius named exactly the 27 books in 367; councils at Hippo (393) and Carthage (397) followed, and debate went on after. The same councils’ Old Testament included Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach and 1–2 Maccabees; the early church read the Old Testament in the Greek Septuagint.

  1. Late 2nd c. Muratorian list
  2. 367 Athanasius: the 27 books
  3. 393 Council of Hippo
  4. 397 Council of Carthage

The New Testament canon · The Muratorian fragment

When did Christianity separate from Judaism?

Date c. 48–135

Gradually, not on one day. The Council of Jerusalem (c. 48–50) freed Gentile believers from circumcision; the fall of the Temple (70) and the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135), when its leader punished Christians who would not deny Jesus, are key markers.

In their words

Cover of Justin Martyr, First Apology in our library

“Barchochebas, the leader of the Jewish revolt, ordered that only Christians should be subjected to cruel punishments unless they denied Jesus Christ”

— Justin, First Apology ch. 31 · 132–135

ReadJustin, First Apology ch. 31ListenJustin, First Apology ch. 31

Jewish Christianity and the early church

When did the church first split?

Date c. 144–451

Early splits came over teaching and discipline: Marcion at Rome (c. 144), Hippolytus’ rival church at Rome (c. 217), Novatian’s at Rome (251) and the Donatists in North Africa (from 311). After the councils of Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451), the Church of the East and the Oriental Orthodox churches parted from the rest. The East–West split usually dated 1054 is outside this timeline.

In their words

Cyprian, writing as Novatian’s split began, 251

Cover of Cyprian’s Treatises in our library

“He can no longer have God as his Father who does not have the Church as his mother.”

— Cyprian, On the Unity of the Church · 251

ReadCyprian, On the Unity of the ChurchListenCyprian, On the Unity of the Church

Schism in early Christian writings

The full early church timeline: 80 dates in 7 eras

This early church timeline is also a timeline of early Christianity: it runs from Pentecost to Chalcedon, the first part of any church history timeline. Each era opens with two witnesses in their own words; then every date follows, with a place, a note on how it is dated, and the writing to read or hear. “c.” means about; where scholars disagree, the date says so.

Apostolic period · c. AD 30–100

Era 1 · Apostolic period

The Apostolic Age, c. 30–100: the first-century church

20 dates · 18 open the writing · 18 can be heard

The first-century church, from Pentecost to the death of the last apostle. The church spreads from Jerusalem to Antioch, Greece and Rome, the New Testament is written, and Nero’s persecution (64) and the fall of Jerusalem (70) mark the age.

A page of Papyrus 46, an early copy of Paul’s letters written in Greek capitals
Papyrus 46, a copy of Paul’s letters made about AD 200 (2 Corinthians 11–12). Public domain, Wikimedia Commons.
Show all 20 dates in the Apostolic AgeHide the 20 dates

  1. c. 30 or 33Jerusalem

    Event: Pentecost: the Holy Spirit comes and the church begins in Jerusalem (Acts 2) 1

    “What is this Pentecost? It is the time when the sickle was to be put to the harvest, and the ingathering was made.”

    Who Peter and the apostles, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 2 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 2 (KJV)

    Also read John Chrysostom, Homily 4 on ActsTopic Pentecost and the Holy Spirit · Study: Acts 2:38–47

  2. c. 34–36Jerusalem

    Persecution or martyrdom: Stephen, the first martyr, is stoned (Acts 7) 2

    Who Stephen, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 7 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 7 (KJV)

    Topic Stephen the martyr

  3. c. 33–36Near Damascus

    Event: Paul meets Christ on the Damascus road (Acts 9; Galatians 1) 3

    Who Paul, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 9 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 9 (KJV)

    Bible Galatians 1 (KJV)Topic Video: Reading Paul through first-century eyes

  4. c. 37–41Caesarea

    Event: Peter baptizes Cornelius, the first Gentile household (Acts 10) 4

    Who Peter, Cornelius, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 10 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 10 (KJV)

    Topic Gentiles and the people of God

  5. c. 40–44Antioch

    Event: At Antioch the disciples are first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26) 5

    Who Barnabas, Paul, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 11 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 11 (KJV)

    Topic The name “Christian”

  6. 44Jerusalem

    Persecution or martyrdom: James son of Zebedee is killed; Herod Agrippa I dies (Acts 12) 6

    Who James son of Zebedee, Herod Agrippa I, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 12 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 12 (KJV)

    Topic The apostles

  7. c. 46–48From Antioch

    Event: Paul and Barnabas sent out: the first missionary journey (Acts 13–14) 7

    Who Paul, Barnabas, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 13 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 13 (KJV)

    Bible Acts 14 (KJV)Topic Barnabas

  8. c. 48–50 (often 49)Jerusalem

    Council or church meeting: The Council of Jerusalem: Gentile believers need not be circumcised (Acts 15) 8

    “According to the decree and judgment of the apostles, the Gentiles who believe should not be circumcised.”

    Who James, Peter, Paul, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 15 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 15 (KJV)

    Topic Study: Acts 15 · Jewish Christianity and the early church

  9. c. 49–52Philippi, Athens, Corinth

    Event: Paul’s second journey: Philippi, Athens, Corinth; 1 Thessalonians (c. 50), often called the oldest New Testament book; Paul before Gallio (c. 51–52), the firmest date in his life 9

    Who Paul, Silas, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 18 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 18 (KJV)

    Bible Acts 17 (KJV) · 1 Thessalonians 1 (KJV)Topic The New Testament canon

  10. c. 53–57Ephesus

    Event: Paul’s third journey; about three years at Ephesus; he writes 1–2 Corinthians and Romans 10

    Who Paul, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 19 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 19 (KJV)

    Bible 1 Corinthians 15 (KJV) · Romans 16 (KJV)Topic The church at Ephesus

  11. c. 57–62Jerusalem to Rome

    Event: Paul arrested in Jerusalem, held at Caesarea, shipwrecked, two years under guard in Rome (Acts 21–28) 11

    Who Paul, Pamphilus (attrib.)

    ReadEarly guide to Acts 28 (attrib. Pamphilus)ListenActs 28 (KJV)

    Also read John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts (55 homilies)

  12. 62Jerusalem

    Persecution or martyrdom: James the Just, leader of the Jerusalem church, is killed (Josephus) 12

    Who James the Just

    ListenJames 1 (KJV)

    Topic James the Just and the Jerusalem church

  13. 64Rome

    Persecution or martyrdom: Great Fire of Rome; Nero blames the Christians — the first persecution by an emperor, limited to Rome 13

    “they at last, by Nero's cruel sword, sowed at Rome the seed of Christian blood.”

    Who NeroWritten by Tertullian, c. 197

    ReadTertullian, Apology ch. 21ListenTertullian, Apology ch. 21

    Topic Nero and Christian persecution

  14. c. 64–68 (tradition)Rome

    Persecution or martyrdom: Peter and Paul die as martyrs in Rome 14

    “Peter, due to unrighteous envy, endured not just one or two, but numerous hardships”

    Who Peter, PaulWritten by Clement of Rome, c. 96

    Read1 Clement ch. 5Listen1 Clement ch. 5

    Bible John 21:18 (KJV) · 2 Timothy 4:6 (KJV)Topic Peter and Rome · Peter the apostle

  15. 70Jerusalem

    Event: Roman armies destroy Jerusalem and the Temple 15

    Who Titus, the Roman general

    ListenMatthew 24 (KJV)

    Bible Luke 21:20 (KJV)Topic Study: Matthew 24 · The Jewish Temple and Christian worship

  16. c. 65–100 (disputed)Several churches

    Writing: The four Gospels are written (most scholars c. 65–100; many conservatives put Matthew, Mark and Luke before 70) 16

    “Matthew also wrote a Gospel in the Hebrew language while Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome and laying the foundations of the Church.”

    Who Matthew, Mark, Luke, JohnWritten by Irenaeus, c. 180, and Papias

    ReadIrenaeus, Against Heresies III.1ListenIrenaeus, Against Heresies III.1

    Also read Papias, Fragment 6Bible Mark 1 (KJV) · Luke 1 (KJV)Topic The Gospels and apostolic witness · Answer: Which Gospel was written first?

  17. 81–96; Revelation c. 95Patmos

    Persecution or martyrdom: Domitian’s reign; John on Patmos writes Revelation (how much Domitian persecuted is debated) 17

    “For that was seen not very long ago, but almost in our day, toward the end of Domitian's reign.”

    Who John, DomitianWritten by Irenaeus and Victorinus

    ReadIrenaeus, Against Heresies V.30ListenIrenaeus, Against Heresies V.30

    Also read Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse ch. 10Bible Revelation 1:9 (KJV)Topic Domitian and Christian persecution · The Book of Revelation

  18. c. 96 (a few say c. 70)Rome, to Corinth

    Writing: Clement of Rome writes to the quarrelling church at Corinth (1 Clement) 18

    Who Clement of Rome

    Read1 ClementListen1 Clement ch. 1

    Topic The church at Corinth

  19. c. 100 (range c. 50–120)Place unknown

    Writing: The Didache, a short church manual: the Two Ways, baptism, the Lord’s Supper 19

    “There are two ways: one of life and one of death.”

    Who Unknown teachers

    ReadThe Didache ch. 1ListenThe Didache ch. 1

    Topic The Didache and early church teaching

  20. c. 100 (tradition)Ephesus

    Event: The apostle John dies at Ephesus, the last of the Twelve 20

    “the Church in Ephesus, founded by Paul and where John remained until the time of Trajan, is a true witness of the apostolic tradition.”

    Who JohnWritten by Irenaeus, c. 180

    ReadIrenaeus, Against Heresies III.3ListenIrenaeus, Against Heresies III.3

    Bible John 21 (KJV)Topic The apostles

Walk on to the next era: The Apostolic Fathers, c. 100–150

Ante-Nicene period · c. AD 100–325

Era 2 · Ante-Nicene period

The Apostolic Fathers, c. 100–150

10 dates · 10 open the writing · 10 can be heard

The apostles’ students lead the churches. Ignatius, Polycarp, Papias and the Didache show how the churches were ordered and what they taught; Rome’s rule, set by Trajan, is not to hunt Christians out.

Catacomb ceiling painting of the Good Shepherd carrying a sheep on his shoulders
The Good Shepherd, painted on a Roman catacomb ceiling, 3rd century (Wilpert, 1903). Public domain.
Show all 10 dates in the Apostolic FathersHide the 10 dates

  1. c. 107–110Antioch to Rome

    Event: Ignatius of Antioch, taken to Rome to die under Trajan, writes seven letters on the way 21

    “I am the wheat of God, and let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, so I may become the pure bread of Christ.”

    Who Ignatius of Antioch, Trajan

    ReadIgnatius, To the Romans ch. 4ListenIgnatius, To the Romans ch. 4

    Also read Ignatius, To the Smyrnaeans ch. 8 · Ignatius, The Martyrdom of Ignatius (a much later account)Topic Bishops · Overseers and bishops

  2. c. 110–140Smyrna

    Writing: Polycarp of Smyrna writes to the Philippians 22

    “Let us then continually persevere in our hope and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ”

    Who Polycarp of Smyrna

    ReadPolycarp, To the Philippians ch. 8ListenPolycarp, To the Philippians ch. 8

  3. c. 110–130Hierapolis

    Writing: Papias of Hierapolis collects what the elders remembered of the apostles (fragments) 23

    “Mark, having become Peter's interpreter, accurately wrote down everything he remembered.”

    Who Papias of Hierapolis

    ReadPapias, Fragment 6ListenPapias, Fragment 6

    Topic The Gospel of Mark

  4. c. 112Bithynia

    Persecution or martyrdom: Pliny asks Emperor Trajan what to do with Christians; Trajan: do not hunt them out 24

    “For Pliny the Younger, when he was ruler of a province, had condemned some Christians to death, and had driven some from their steadfastness.”

    Who Pliny the Younger, TrajanWritten by Tertullian retells it, c. 197 (Pliny’s own letter is not on our site)

    ReadTertullian, Apology ch. 2ListenTertullian, Apology ch. 2

    Topic Rumors against early Christians

  5. c. 100–150Rome

    Writing: The Shepherd of Hermas, a long call to repent, written in Rome; the Epistle of Barnabas (c. 70–135, often c. 130; not by the apostle) 25

    Who Hermas, “Barnabas” (not the apostle)

    ReadHermas, The ShepherdListenHermas, The Shepherd, Vision 1

    Also read the Epistle of BarnabasTopic The Shepherd of Hermas · The Epistle of Barnabas

  6. c. 125 (to Hadrian) or c. 140 — disputedAthens

    Writing: Aristides of Athens hands the emperor a defence of the Christians 26

    “What follows is the defense that Aristides the philosopher presented before King Hadrian on behalf of reverence for God.”

    Who Aristides of Athens, Hadrian

    ReadAristides, ApologyListenAristides, Apology

    Topic Hadrian and the early Christians · The early Christian apologists

  7. 132–135Judea

    Persecution or martyrdom: The Bar Kokhba revolt; its leader punishes Christians who will not deny Jesus 27

    “Barchochebas, the leader of the Jewish revolt, ordered that only Christians should be subjected to cruel punishments unless they denied Jesus Christ”

    Who Bar Kokhba, Justin MartyrWritten by Justin Martyr, c. 155

    ReadJustin, First Apology ch. 31ListenJustin, First Apology ch. 31

    Topic Bar Kokhba · Hadrian and the early Christians

  8. c. 130–200 (disputed)Place unknown

    Writing: The Letter to Diognetus: Christians are to the world what the soul is to the body 28

    “To sum up everything in one word—what the soul is in the body, that Christians are in the world.”

    Who An unknown Christian

    ReadTo Diognetus ch. 6ListenTo Diognetus ch. 6

    Topic The early Christian apologists

  9. c. 144Rome

    Event: Marcion breaks with the church at Rome and rejects the Creator God of the Old Testament 29

    “Marcion, a man from Pontus, is alive today and teaches his disciples to believe in a god greater than the Creator.”

    Who Marcion, Justin MartyrWritten by Justin Martyr, c. 155

    ReadJustin, First Apology ch. 26ListenJustin, First Apology ch. 26

    Also read Tertullian, Against Marcion (207–208)Topic Marcion and Marcionism

  10. c. 120–180Alexandria and Rome

    Event: Gnostic teachers (Basilides, Valentinus) spread secret-knowledge teaching; Irenaeus answers them c. 180 30

    Who Basilides, Valentinus, Irenaeus

    ReadIrenaeus, Against Heresies Book IListenIrenaeus, Against Heresies Book I

    Topic Gnostics and Gnosticism · Valentinus and the Valentinians

Walk on to the next era: Apologists and martyrs, c. 150–180

Era 3 · Ante-Nicene period

Apologists and martyrs, c. 150–180

11 dates · 9 open the writing · 9 can be heard

Christians begin to answer the empire in writing. Justin, Athenagoras and Theophilus defend the faith, while believers die for it at Smyrna, Rome, Lyons and Scilli.

Catacomb painting: a man lays his hand over bread on a three-legged table while a woman prays
Bread on a table and a Christian at prayer, Catacomb of Callixtus, Rome, 3rd century (Wilpert, 1903). Public domain.
Show all 11 dates in Apologists and martyrsHide the 11 dates

  1. c. 155–157Rome

    Writing: Justin Martyr’s First Apology describes Sunday worship 31

    “On the day called Sunday, everyone who lives in cities or in the country gathers together in one place.”

    Who Justin Martyr

    ReadJustin, First Apology ch. 67ListenJustin, First Apology ch. 67

    Also read Justin, Dialogue with Trypho (c. 155–160)Topic Sunday worship · The Lord’s Day

  2. c. 155 (some say 156 or 167)Smyrna

    Persecution or martyrdom: Polycarp, about 86, is burned at Smyrna 32

    “For eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me any harm: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”

    Who PolycarpWritten by The church of Smyrna, in a letter

    ReadMartyrdom of Polycarp ch. 9ListenMartyrdom of Polycarp ch. 9

    Topic Martyrs · Lesson: Blood of the Martyrs

  3. c. 155 and c. 190Rome

    Council or church meeting: The Easter-date dispute: Polycarp and Anicetus agree to differ; later Irenaeus urges Bishop Victor to keep the peace 33

    “Thus, the difference in observing the fast fosters the harmony of our shared faith.”

    Who Polycarp, Anicetus, Irenaeus, VictorWritten by Irenaeus

    ReadIrenaeus, Fragment 3 (letter to Victor)ListenIrenaeus, Fragment 3 (letter to Victor)

    Topic The Paschal controversy and Easter · The Quartodecimans and Pascha

  4. c. 165 (162–168)Rome

    Persecution or martyrdom: Justin and his companions are tried and beheaded in Rome 34

    Who Justin MartyrWritten by The court record of the trial

    ReadThe Martyrdom of Justin (court record)ListenThe Martyrdom of Justin (court record)

    Topic Martyrs

  5. c. 160–170Rome

    Writing: Tatian, Justin’s student, writes his Address to the Greeks and (c. 170) the Diatessaron, one story from four Gospels 35

    Who Tatian

    ReadTatian, Address to the GreeksListenTatian, The Diatessaron

    Also read Tatian, The DiatessaronTopic The Gospels and apostolic witness

  6. 176–177Athens

    Writing: Athenagoras of Athens writes A Plea for the Christians to Marcus Aurelius 36

    “First, about the charge that we are atheists—I will answer the charges one by one”

    Who Athenagoras, Marcus Aurelius

    ReadAthenagoras, A Plea for the Christians ch. 4ListenAthenagoras, A Plea for the Christians ch. 4

    Topic The early Christian apologists

  7. 177Lyons, in Gaul

    Persecution or martyrdom: Martyrs of Lyons and Vienne in Gaul (their letter survives only in Eusebius — not hosted) 37

    Who The martyrs of Lyons and Vienne, Irenaeus

    No writing from this event is on our site yet. Read about itMarcus Aurelius and Christian persecution

    Topic Gladiators and the arena

  8. 17 July 180Carthage

    Persecution or martyrdom: The Scillitan martyrs of North Africa: often called the oldest dated Christian writing in Latin 38

    “Speratus said, "I am a Christian." And they all agreed with him.”

    Who Speratus and companionsWritten by The court record of the trial

    ReadPassion of the Scillitan MartyrsListenPassion of the Scillitan Martyrs

    Topic Martyrs

  9. c. 180Lyons

    Writing: Irenaeus, Against Heresies: the rule of faith and the list of bishops of Rome 39

    “The blessed apostles, having established and built up the Church, entrusted the role of the episcopate to Linus.”

    Who Irenaeus of Lyons

    ReadIrenaeus, Against Heresies III.3ListenIrenaeus, Against Heresies III.3

    Topic The rule of faith · Apostolic succession

  10. c. 180Antioch

    Writing: Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus: the oldest surviving use of the word “Trinity” (Greek *trias*) 40

    “the three days before the heavenly lights are types of the Trinity: God, and His Word, and His wisdom.”

    Who Theophilus of Antioch

    ReadTheophilus, To Autolycus II.15ListenTheophilus, To Autolycus II.15

    Topic The Trinity

  11. late 2nd c. (a minority say 4th c.)Place unknown

    Writing: The Muratorian list, the oldest surviving list of New Testament books 41

    Who Unknown author

    No writing from this event is on our site yet. Read about itThe Muratorian fragment

    Topic The New Testament canon

Walk on to the next era: Irenaeus, Tertullian and Origen, c. 180–250

Era 4 · Ante-Nicene period

Irenaeus, Tertullian and Origen, c. 180–250

10 dates · 10 open the writing · 10 can be heard

Teachers in Gaul, North Africa, Rome and Egypt. Irenaeus sets out the rule of faith, Tertullian writes in Latin, Hippolytus works at Rome, and Origen builds the first whole system of Christian teaching.

Catacomb painting of a young woman praying with her hands raised
A woman praying with raised hands, Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, 3rd century (Wilpert, 1903). Public domain.
Show all 10 dates in Irenaeus, Tertullian and OrigenHide the 10 dates

  1. summer/autumn 197Carthage

    Writing: Tertullian’s Apology: “the blood of Christians is seed” 42

    “The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow. The blood of Christians is seed.”

    Who Tertullian

    ReadTertullian, Apology ch. 50ListenTertullian, Apology ch. 50

    Topic Persecution

  2. c. 200Carthage

    Writing: Tertullian on baptism and against heretics (On Baptism; Prescription) 43

    “Blessed is our sacrament of water, because by washing away the sins of our earlier blindness, we are set free and welcomed into eternal life.”

    Who Tertullian

    ReadTertullian, On Baptism ch. 1ListenTertullian, On Baptism ch. 1

    Also read Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics ch. 7Topic Heresies and heretics

  3. 7 March 203 (some say 202)Carthage

    Persecution or martyrdom: Perpetua, a young mother, and Felicity are killed in the arena at Carthage 44

    “Neither can I call myself anything else than what I am, a Christian.”

    Who Perpetua, FelicityWritten by Traditionally edited by Tertullian (disputed)

    ReadPassion of Perpetua and Felicitas ch. 1ListenPassion of Perpetua and Felicitas ch. 1

    Topic Martyrs

  4. c. 195–202Alexandria

    Writing: Clement of Alexandria teaches in Egypt: Exhortation, The Instructor, Stromata 45

    Who Clement of Alexandria

    ReadClement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathen ch. 1ListenClement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathen ch. 1

  5. c. 200–235Rome

    Writing: Hippolytus at Rome: On Christ and Antichrist; Refutation of All Heresies (after 222) 46

    Who Hippolytus

    ReadHippolytus, Treatise on Christ and AntichristListenHippolytus, On Christ and Antichrist

    Also read Hippolytus, Refutation of All HeresiesTopic Heresies and heretics

  6. c. 212Carthage

    Writing: Tertullian, To Scapula: worship must be free 47

    “it is a basic human right, a privilege of nature, that every man should worship according to his own convictions.”

    Who Tertullian, Scapula

    ReadTertullian, To Scapula ch. 2ListenTertullian, To Scapula ch. 2

    Topic Freedom of religion and conscience

  7. c. 213Carthage

    Writing: Tertullian, Against Praxeas: three Persons, one God 48

    “placing in their order the three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost”

    Who Tertullian, Praxeas

    ReadTertullian, Against Praxeas ch. 2ListenTertullian, Against Praxeas ch. 2

    Topic The Trinity · Monarchianism and the Trinity

  8. c. 220–230Alexandria

    Writing: Origen, On First Principles, the first attempt at a whole system of Christian teaching 49

    Who Origen, Gregory Thaumaturgus

    ReadOrigen, De Principiis, PrefaceListenOrigen, De Principiis, Preface

    Also read Gregory Thaumaturgus, Oration to Origen (c. 238)Topic The Hexapla · Answer: When did Origen live?

  9. c. 248Caesarea

    Writing: Origen, Against Celsus, answers the first big pagan attack on the faith 50

    “We do not indeed fight under him, even if he requires it. But we fight on his behalf, forming a special army, an army of piety, by offering our prayers to God.”

    Who Origen, Celsus

    ReadOrigen, Against Celsus, Book I prefaceListenOrigen, Against Celsus, Book I preface

    Topic Early Christian apologetics

  10. c. 200–240 (disputed)Rome

    Writing: Minucius Felix, Octavius: “we do not speak great things, but live them” 51

    “We who bear wisdom not in our dress, but in our mind, do not speak great things, but live them.”

    Who Minucius Felix

    ReadMinucius Felix, OctaviusListenMinucius Felix, Octavius

    Topic The early Christian apologists

Walk on to the next era: Empire-wide persecution, 250–300

Era 5 · Ante-Nicene period

Empire-wide persecution, 250–300

9 dates · 8 open the writing · 8 can be heard

For the first time Rome turns on the church across the whole empire. Decius (250) and Valerian (257–258) demand sacrifice; the churches argue over the lapsed and over rebaptism, and nurse the sick through plague.

Show all 9 dates in Empire-wide persecutionHide the 9 dates

  1. 250–251Carthage and Alexandria

    Persecution or martyrdom: Decius orders everyone to sacrifice; Christians who give in become “the lapsed” 52

    “They ran to the marketplace of their own accord.”

    Who Decius, Cyprian, Dionysius of AlexandriaWritten by Cyprian and Dionysius of Alexandria

    ReadCyprian, On the LapsedListenCyprian, On the Lapsed

    Also read Dionysius of Alexandria, Epistle 3Topic Emperor Decius · Certificates of sacrifice

  2. 251Carthage and Rome

    Writing: Cyprian writes On the Unity of the Church; Novatian leads a split at Rome 53

    “He can no longer have God as his Father who does not have the Church as his mother.”

    Who Cyprian, Novatian

    ReadCyprian, On the Unity of the ChurchListenCyprian, On the Unity of the Church

    Also read Novatian, On the TrinityTopic Novatian and the Novatianists · Schism

  3. c. 249–262Alexandria and Carthage

    Event: A great plague; Christians nurse the sick when others flee 54

    “They stayed with each other, and visited the sick without thinking of their own danger.”

    Who Dionysius of Alexandria, CyprianWritten by Dionysius of Alexandria; Cyprian’s deacon Pontius

    ReadDionysius of Alexandria, Epistle 12ListenDionysius of Alexandria, Epistle 12

    Also read Pontius, Life and Passion of Cyprian

  4. 256Carthage

    Council or church meeting: Council at Carthage: Cyprian’s bishops say heretics must be baptized again; Stephen of Rome disagrees 55

    “When Stephen, the Bishop of Rome, had condemned by his letters the decisions of the African Council about the baptism of heretics”

    Who Cyprian, Stephen of Rome, Treatise on Re-Baptism (unknown author)Written by Cyprian’s council of bishops

    ReadSeventh Council of Carthage (256)ListenSeventh Council of Carthage (256)

    Also read Treatise on Re-BaptismTopic Church councils before Nicaea · Synods and church councils

  5. 257–258; Cyprian dies 14 Sept 258Carthage

    Persecution or martyrdom: Valerian strikes at the clergy; Cyprian is beheaded at Carthage 56

    “after binding his own eyes with his own hands, he tried to hurry the slowness of the executioner”

    Who Valerian, CyprianWritten by Pontius, Cyprian’s deacon

    ReadPontius, Life and Passion of CyprianListenPontius, Life and Passion of Cyprian

    Topic Emperor Valerian

  6. 268Antioch

    Council or church meeting: A council at Antioch removes Bishop Paul of Samosata 57

    Who Paul of Samosata, Malchion

    ReadMalchion, Epistle Against Paul of SamosataListenMalchion, Epistle Against Paul of Samosata

    Topic Adoptionism

  7. c. 270–285Egyptian desert

    Event: Antony gives away his goods and later withdraws into the Egyptian desert; monastic life spreads after c. 305 58

    Who Antony of Egypt

    No writing from this event is on our site yet. Read about itMonasticism and ascetic life

  8. late 200s (text written c. 330–348)From Persia, into the Roman East

    Event: Manichaeism reaches the Roman world; the Disputation with Manes is set c. 277 59

    Who Mani, ArchelausWritten by A 4th-century text, probably by Hegemonius

    ReadDisputation with Manes (4th c.)ListenDisputation with Manes (4th c.)

    Topic Mani and the Manichaeans

  9. c. 260–304Pettau

    Writing: Victorinus of Pettau writes the oldest Latin commentary on Revelation; martyred c. 304 60

    “when John said these things, he was on the island of Patmos, sentenced by Caesar Domitian to forced labor in the mines.”

    Who Victorinus of Pettau

    ReadVictorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse ch. 10ListenVictorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse ch. 10

    Bible Revelation 1 (KJV)Topic The Book of Revelation

Walk on to the next era: The Great Persecution to Nicaea, 300–325

Era 6 · Ante-Nicene period

The Great Persecution to Nicaea, 300–325

9 dates · 8 open the writing · 7 can be heard

The last and worst persecution, then sudden freedom: Diocletian’s edicts (303), Galerius’ toleration (311), the Milvian Bridge (312), the Milan letter (313), and the dispute over Arius that leads to Nicaea (325). Before this the church had refused the sword; from 312 an emperor goes into battle under the sign of Christ.

Show all 9 dates in the Great Persecution to NicaeaHide the 9 dates

  1. 23–24 Feb 303Nicomedia

    Persecution or martyrdom: The Great Persecution begins: soldiers tear down the church at Nicomedia 61

    “They found the books of the Holy Scriptures, and they threw them into the flames.”

    Who Diocletian, Galerius, LactantiusWritten by Lactantius, an eyewitness

    ReadLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 12ListenLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 12

    Topic Diocletian’s persecution

  2. 303–311Nicomedia and North Africa

    Writing: Lactantius writes the Divine Institutes; Arnobius writes Against the Heathen; Methodius of Olympus dies a martyr (c. 311) 62

    Who Lactantius, Arnobius, Methodius

    ReadLactantius, The Divine InstitutesListenArnobius, Against the Heathen, Book I

    Also read Arnobius, Against the Heathen · Methodius, The Banquet of the Ten VirginsTopic The early Christian apologists

  3. 306 (Peter martyred 311)Alexandria

    Persecution or martyrdom: Peter of Alexandria sets gentle rules for those who gave in under torture 63

    “But since the fourth Passover of the persecution has come”

    Who Peter of Alexandria

    ReadPeter of Alexandria, Canonical EpistleListenPeter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle

    Topic The lapsed and church discipline

  4. 30 April 311Nicomedia

    Persecution or martyrdom: Galerius, dying, issues an edict of toleration 64

    “We permit them once again to be Christians and to establish places for their religious assemblies, provided that they do not act against good order.”

    Who Galerius, LactantiusWritten by Lactantius, who lived through it

    ReadLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 34ListenLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 34

    Topic Persecution

  5. 28 Oct 312Rome

    Event: Constantine defeats Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge after a dream of the sign of Christ 65

    “Constantine was instructed in a dream to have the heavenly sign drawn on the shields of his soldiers, and then to go into battle.”

    Who Constantine, MaxentiusWritten by Lactantius, writing a few years later (c. 315); Eusebius later tells it as a vision in the sky

    ReadLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 44ListenLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 44

    The turn The church before this had taught that Christians do not kill or go to war. Lactantius, who tells this story, had himself written: “Thus it will be lawful neither for a just man to engage in warfare, since his warfare is justice itself” (Divine Institutes VI.20). Origen said the same (c. 248).

    Topic Constantine and the church · Answer: Did Constantine change Christianity?

  6. 313Milan

    Event: The “Edict of Milan”: Constantine and Licinius grant freedom of worship (not a state religion) 66

    “both Christians and all others should have the freedom to follow whatever religion each one thinks best”

    Who Constantine, LiciniusWritten by Constantine and Licinius, in the letter Lactantius copied

    ReadLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 48ListenLactantius, The Persecutors ch. 48

    Topic The Edict of Milan in early Christian writings

  7. from 311North Africa

    Event: The Donatist split in North Africa over clergy who handed over Scriptures 67

    Who The Donatists

    No writing from this event is on our site yet. Read about itSchism

    Topic Lesson: The Donatists

  8. c. 318–324Alexandria

    Event: Arius teaches the Son is a created being; Bishop Alexander of Alexandria removes him 68

    “there have arisen among us those hidden sprouts of theirs, Arius and Achilles”

    Who Arius, Alexander of AlexandriaWritten by Alexander of Alexandria

    ReadAlexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian HeresyListenAlexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy

    Topic Arianism

  9. 325Nicaea

    Council or church meeting: Emperor Constantine calls and opens the Council of Nicaea: Arius condemned, the Nicene Creed (Son “of one substance” with the Father), a common Easter date; the emperor then exiles Arius 69

    Who Emperor Constantine, bishops of the empireWritten by No writing of the council itself is on our site; Alexander of Alexandria’s letters lead up to it

    ReadAlexander of Alexandria, writer page

    Church and state The first council called by an emperor, whose order then enforces it. Yet the council’s Canon 12 still puts under penance Christians who left the army for the faith and then went back to it: the older view of the soldier’s life was still alive in 325.

    Topic Church councils before Nicaea · Arianism

Walk on to the next era: After Nicaea: creeds, councils, Chrysostom, 325–451

Nicene period · AD 325–451

Era 7 · Nicene period

After Nicaea: creeds, councils, Chrysostom, 325–451

11 dates · 5 open the writing · 1 can be heard

A short epilogue. After Constantine the church gains freedom, then favour, then power: by 380 the state enforces belief, which Christians before him never asked for. Councils put into creeds what the churches had taught on the Trinity and argue over how to speak of Christ, and John Chrysostom preaches at Antioch and Constantinople. Some historians run the early church period to about 600; this timeline stops at Chalcedon (451).

Mosaic of Christ as the Good Shepherd among sheep, in blue and gold
The Good Shepherd, mosaic in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, about 425–450. Public domain (The Yorck Project).
Show all 11 dates in After Nicaea: creeds, councils, ChrysostomHide the 11 dates

  1. 337Near Nicomedia

    Event: Constantine is baptized shortly before he dies (22 May 337) 70

    Who Constantine

    No writing from this event is on our site yet. Read about itConstantine and the church

    Topic Answer: Did Constantine change Christianity?

  2. 367Alexandria

    Writing: Athanasius lists exactly the 27 New Testament books (debate went on after) 72

    Who Athanasius

    No writing from this event is on our site yet. Read about itThe New Testament canon

    Topic The biblical canon

  3. c. 375–380Syria

    Writing: The Apostolic Constitutions are compiled in Syria from older church orders 71

    Who An unknown compilerWritten by Compiled c. 375–380 from older church orders

    ReadApostolic ConstitutionsListenApostolic Constitutions

  4. 27 Feb 380Thessalonica

    Event: Edict of Thessalonica: Theodosius makes Nicene Christianity the state religion and threatens Christians who disagree with punishment 73

    Who Theodosius I

    Compare About 170 years earlier Tertullian had asked Rome for the opposite, that every man may worship according to his own convictions (To Scapula, c. 212).

    No writing from this event is on our site yet. Read about itThe Roman Empire

  5. 381Constantinople

    Council or church meeting: Council of Constantinople expands the creed on the Holy Spirit 74

    Who Bishops of the East

    No writing from this event is on our site yet. Read about itCreeds

    Topic Synods and church councils

  6. 386–397Antioch

    Writing: John Chrysostom preaches at Antioch: homilies on Matthew, John, Romans and more 75

    Who John Chrysostom

    ReadJohn Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew (1–60 of 90)

    Text only: John Chrysostom is not narrated yet.

    Also read John Chrysostom, Homilies on RomansTopic Article: John Chrysostom, master expositor

  7. Lent 387Antioch

    Writing: The riot of the statues at Antioch; Chrysostom’s 21 Homilies on the Statues 76

    “certain vile persons, yes, thoroughly vile persons, trampled the laws underfoot, threw down the statues”

    Who John Chrysostom

    ReadJohn Chrysostom, Homilies on the Statues, Homily 5

    Text only: John Chrysostom is not narrated yet.

  8. 397–398; 399Constantinople

    Writing: Chrysostom becomes archbishop of Constantinople; the fall of the minister Eutropius 77

    “Where now is the splendor of your consulship?”

    Who John Chrysostom, Eutropius

    ReadJohn Chrysostom, First Homily on Eutropius

    Text only: John Chrysostom is not narrated yet.

  9. 404–407Constantinople, then exile

    Writing: Chrysostom exiled; letters to Olympias and to Bishop Innocent of Rome; dies 14 Sept 407 78

    “Nevertheless, even when I look at these disasters, I do not give up hope for better things.”

    Who John Chrysostom, Olympias, Innocent I

    ReadJohn Chrysostom, Four Letters to Olympias

    Text only: John Chrysostom is not narrated yet.

    Also read John Chrysostom, Correspondence with Bishop Innocent of Rome

  10. 431Ephesus

    Council or church meeting: Council of Ephesus: Mary called Theotokos (God-bearer); Nestorius removed 79

    Who Cyril of Alexandria, Nestorius

    No writing from this event is on our site yet. Read about itTheotokos: Mary as God-bearer

    Topic Lesson: The Nestorians

  11. 451Chalcedon

    Council or church meeting: Council of Chalcedon: Christ one person in two natures; the Oriental Orthodox churches do not accept it 80

    Who Bishops at Chalcedon

    No writing from this event is on our site yet. Read about itThe two natures of Christ

    Topic The hypostatic union

Next: who wrote when

Timeline of the early church fathers: who wrote when

32 early Christian writers and writings on one line of years, AD 30–451. Each bar shows the years of their writings and deaths on this timeline, not whole lives. Striped bars mean scholars dispute the date. Tap a name to open the writer’s page and everything on our site by him.

Early Church History Timeline, AD 30–451The church fathers and when they wrote · The Historic Faith
  1. Clement of Romec. 96
  2. The Didache (author unknown)c. 50–120
  3. Hermasc. 100–150
  4. Ignatius of Antiochc. 107–110
  5. Polycarp of Smyrnac. 110–155
  6. Papias of Hierapolisc. 110–130
  7. Aristides of Athensc. 125 or c. 140
  8. Letter to Diognetusc. 130–200
  9. Justin Martyrc. 155–165
  10. Tatianc. 160–170
  11. Athenagoras176–177
  12. Irenaeus of Lyonsc. 180–190
  13. Theophilus of Antiochc. 180
  14. Clement of Alexandriac. 195–202
  15. Tertullian197–c. 213
  16. Hippolytusc. 200–235
  17. Minucius Felixc. 200–240
  18. Origenc. 220–248
  19. Gregory Thaumaturgusc. 238
  20. Dionysius of Alexandriac. 249–262
  21. Cyprian of Carthage250–258
  22. Novatian251
  23. Victorinus of Pettauc. 260–304
  24. Malchion268
  25. Lactantius303–313
  26. Arnobius303–311
  27. Peter of Alexandria306–311
  28. Methodius of Olympusd. c. 311
  29. Alexander of Alexandriac. 318–325
  30. Disputation with Manes (text)c. 330–348
  31. Apostolic Constitutions (compiled)c. 375–380
  32. John Chrysostom386–407

Print or download the timeline

Early church history timeline chart: the church fathers and when they wrote, AD 30 to 451

Print this page with every era open, or save the chart as a picture to share or print.

Downloadthe chart (PNG picture)

Coming later Church fathers timeline, writer by writer

Dates scholars dispute

“c.” means about. These dates are argued over; we give the usual date and say where others differ. The bar shows the range scholars give; the dot is the usual date.

How this timeline was made

Catacomb painting of an early Christian woman praying with raised hands

Dates follow standard reference works, named in the notes; where a date is uncertain it carries “c.” or a range, and where scholars disagree the entry says so.

Every quotation is copied word for word from the plain modern-English text in our library (from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, and the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers for John Chrysostom) and links to its exact paragraph. Bible links open the King James Version, read aloud.

Some library titles name the wrong author, so this page gives the true one: the Martyrdom of Polycarp is a letter of the church of Smyrna; the Life of Cyprian is by his deacon Pontius; the Exposition on Acts is only attributed to Pamphilus; the Martyrdom of Justin is a court record. Our Octavius heading “Chapter 24” is the traditional chapter 38.

Narration is computer-made (AI). Each major writer has his own narrator voice; John Chrysostom is text only. A few events have no writing on our site yet, and those rows say so.

Updated 8 November 2026 · The Historic Faith

Learn the whole story

Coming later Church fathers timeline, writer by writer Roman persecution timeline When each New Testament book was written Book of Acts timeline When was the Didache written?

Part of The Early Christians: who they were, what they believed and wrote. The whole library: 192 early Christian writings in plain modern English.

Notes and sources

One note for each date: the reference work it follows, and the text in our library. Reference works are linked; other timelines we checked are named but not linked.

Show all 80 notesHide the notes
  1. c. 30 or 33 Dating: ecclesiasticalhistory.org, “Chronology of the Apostolic Age”. Quotation: John Chrysostom, Homily 4 on Acts, our library.
  2. c. 34–36 Dating: Bart D. Ehrman, “History of Christianity: The First 300 Years”. Text: Early guide to Acts 7 (attrib. Pamphilus), our library.
  3. c. 33–36 Dating: Bart D. Ehrman, “History of Christianity: The First 300 Years”. Text: Early guide to Acts 9 (attrib. Pamphilus), our library.
  4. c. 37–41 Dating: ecclesiasticalhistory.org, “Chronology of the Apostolic Age”. Text: Early guide to Acts 10 (attrib. Pamphilus), our library.
  5. c. 40–44 Dating: Christian History Institute, “Early Church Timeline: The Growth of Early Christianity”. Text: Early guide to Acts 11 (attrib. Pamphilus), our library.
  6. 44 Dating: Christianity.com, “Whatever happened to the twelve apostles?”. Text: Early guide to Acts 12 (attrib. Pamphilus), our library.
  7. c. 46–48 Dating: Felix Just, S.J., “Pauline Chronology”. Text: Early guide to Acts 13 (attrib. Pamphilus), our library.
  8. c. 48–50 (often 49) Dating: Felix Just, S.J., “Pauline Chronology”. Quotation: Early guide to Acts 15 (attrib. Pamphilus), our library.
  9. c. 49–52 Dating: Wikipedia, “Acts 18”; Bart D. Ehrman, “When was the New Testament written?”. Text: Early guide to Acts 18 (attrib. Pamphilus), our library.
  10. c. 53–57 Dating: Felix Just, S.J., “Pauline Chronology”. Text: Early guide to Acts 19 (attrib. Pamphilus), our library.
  11. c. 57–62 Dating: Felix Just, S.J., “Pauline Chronology”. Text: Early guide to Acts 28 (attrib. Pamphilus), our library.
  12. 62 Dating: Wikipedia, “James, brother of Jesus”.
  13. 64 Dating: Wikipedia, “Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire”. Quotation: Tertullian, Apology ch. 21, our library.
  14. c. 64–68 (tradition) Dating: Christianity.com, “Whatever happened to the twelve apostles?”. Quotation: 1 Clement ch. 5, our library.
  15. 70 Dating: Bart D. Ehrman, “History of Christianity: The First 300 Years”.
  16. c. 65–100 (disputed) Dating: Bart D. Ehrman, The Bart Ehrman Blog, “Why date the Gospels after 70 CE?”; St. Paul Center, “When were the Gospels written?”. Quotation: Irenaeus, Against Heresies III.1, our library.
  17. 81–96; Revelation c. 95 Dating: Wikipedia, “Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire”. Quotation: Irenaeus, Against Heresies V.30, our library.
  18. c. 96 (a few say c. 70) Dating: Wikipedia, “First Epistle of Clement”. Text: 1 Clement, our library.
  19. c. 100 (range c. 50–120) Dating: Bart D. Ehrman, The Bart Ehrman Blog, “What is the Didache? When was it written?”; Wikipedia, “Didache”. Quotation: The Didache ch. 1, our library.
  20. c. 100 (tradition) Dating: Christianity.com, “Whatever happened to the twelve apostles?”. Quotation: Irenaeus, Against Heresies III.3, our library.
  21. c. 107–110 Dating: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Saint Ignatius of Antioch”. Quotation: Ignatius, To the Romans ch. 4, our library. The “Martyrdom of Ignatius” is a much later account.
  22. c. 110–140 Dating: Wikipedia, “Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians”. Quotation: Polycarp, To the Philippians ch. 8, our library.
  23. c. 110–130 Dating: Wikipedia, “Papias of Hierapolis”. Quotation: Papias, Fragment 6, our library.
  24. c. 112 Dating: Wikipedia, “Pliny the Younger”. Quotation: Tertullian, Apology ch. 2, our library.
  25. c. 100–150 Dating: Wikipedia, “The Shepherd of Hermas”; Wikipedia, “Epistle of Barnabas”. Text: Hermas, The Shepherd, our library.
  26. c. 125 (to Hadrian) or c. 140 — disputed Dating: Wikipedia, “Aristides of Athens”. Quotation: Chapter 1, our library.
  27. 132–135 Dating: Wikipedia, “Split of Christianity and Judaism”. Quotation: Justin, First Apology ch. 31, our library.
  28. c. 130–200 (disputed) Dating: Wikipedia, “Epistle to Diognetus”. Quotation: To Diognetus ch. 6, our library.
  29. c. 144 Dating: Wikipedia, “Marcion”. Quotation: Justin, First Apology ch. 26, our library.
  30. c. 120–180 Dating: Wikipedia, “Irenaeus”. Text: Irenaeus, Against Heresies Book I, our library.
  31. c. 155–157 Dating: Wikipedia, “First Apology of Justin Martyr”. Quotation: Justin, First Apology ch. 67, our library.
  32. c. 155 (some say 156 or 167) Dating: Catholic Encyclopedia (1911), “St. Polycarp”; Wikipedia, “Martyrdom of Polycarp”. Quotation: Martyrdom of Polycarp ch. 9, our library.
  33. c. 155 and c. 190 Dating: Wikipedia, “Irenaeus”. Quotation: Irenaeus, Fragment 3 (letter to Victor), our library.
  34. c. 165 (162–168) Dating: Wikipedia, “Justin Martyr”. Text: The Martyrdom of Justin (court record), our library.
  35. c. 160–170 Dating: Wikipedia, “Diatessaron”. Text: Tatian, Address to the Greeks, our library.
  36. 176–177 Dating: Wikipedia, “Athenagoras of Athens”. Quotation: Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians ch. 4, our library.
  37. 177 Dating: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Ante-Nicene Fathers vol. 1.
  38. 17 July 180 Dating: Wikipedia, “Scillitan Martyrs”. Quotation: Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs, our library.
  39. c. 180 Dating: Wikipedia, “Irenaeus”. Quotation: Irenaeus, Against Heresies III.3, our library.
  40. c. 180 Dating: Peter Kirby, Early Christian Writings (dating tables). Quotation: Theophilus, To Autolycus II.15, our library.
  41. late 2nd c. (a minority say 4th c.) Dating: Wikipedia, “Muratorian fragment”.
  42. summer/autumn 197 Dating: Wikipedia, “Apologeticus”. Quotation: Tertullian, Apology ch. 50, our library.
  43. c. 200 Dating: Peter Kirby, Early Christian Writings (dating tables). Quotation: Tertullian, On Baptism ch. 1, our library.
  44. 7 March 203 (some say 202) Dating: Wikipedia, “Perpetua and Felicity”. Quotation: Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas ch. 1, our library.
  45. c. 195–202 Dating: Peter Kirby, Early Christian Writings (dating tables). Text: Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathen ch. 1, our library.
  46. c. 200–235 Dating: Wikipedia, “Hippolytus of Rome”; Wikipedia, “Refutation of All Heresies”. Text: Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist, our library.
  47. c. 212 Dating: Peter Kirby, Early Christian Writings (dating tables). Quotation: Tertullian, To Scapula ch. 2, our library. Our library page says “around A.D. 217”; most date it c. 212.
  48. c. 213 Dating: Peter Kirby, Early Christian Writings (dating tables). Quotation: Tertullian, Against Praxeas ch. 2, our library.
  49. c. 220–230 Dating: Catholic Encyclopedia (1911), “Origen and Origenism”; Wikipedia, “Origen”. Text: Origen, De Principiis, Preface, our library.
  50. c. 248 Dating: Wikipedia, “Contra Celsum”. Text: Origen, Against Celsus, Book I preface, our library.
  51. c. 200–240 (disputed) Dating: Wikipedia, “Octavius (dialogue)”. Quotation: Minucius Felix, Octavius, our library. Our heading “Chapter 24” is the traditional chapter 38.
  52. 250–251 Dating: Wikipedia, “Decian persecution”. Quotation: Cyprian, On the Lapsed, our library.
  53. 251 Dating: Wikipedia, “Novatian”. Quotation: Cyprian, On the Unity of the Church, our library.
  54. c. 249–262 Dating: Wikipedia, “Dionysius of Alexandria”. Quotation: Dionysius of Alexandria, Epistle 12, our library.
  55. 256 Dating: standard reference works. Quotation: Seventh Council of Carthage (256), our library.
  56. 257–258; Cyprian dies 14 Sept 258 Dating: Wikipedia, “Cyprian”. Quotation: Pontius, Life and Passion of Cyprian, our library.
  57. 268 Dating: Wikipedia, “Paul of Samosata”. Text: Malchion, Epistle Against Paul of Samosata, our library.
  58. c. 270–285 Dating: Wikipedia, “Anthony the Great”; Christian History Institute, “Early Church Timeline: The Growth of Early Christianity”.
  59. late 200s (text written c. 330–348) Dating: standard reference works. Text: Disputation with Manes (4th c.), our library.
  60. c. 260–304 Dating: Wikipedia, “Victorinus of Pettau”. Quotation: Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse ch. 10, our library.
  61. 23–24 Feb 303 Dating: Wikipedia, “Diocletianic Persecution”. Quotation: Lactantius, The Persecutors ch. 12, our library.
  62. 303–311 Dating: Wikipedia, “The Divine Institutes”; Wikipedia, “Arnobius”. Text: Lactantius, The Divine Institutes, our library.
  63. 306 (Peter martyred 311) Dating: Wikipedia, “Peter I of Alexandria”. Quotation: Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle, our library.
  64. 30 April 311 Dating: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Galerius”. Quotation: Lactantius, The Persecutors ch. 34, our library.
  65. 28 Oct 312 Dating: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Battle of the Milvian Bridge”. Quotation: Lactantius, The Persecutors ch. 44, our library.
  66. 313 Dating: EBSCO Research Starters, “Edict of Milan”. Quotation: Lactantius, The Persecutors ch. 48, our library.
  67. from 311 Dating: standard reference works.
  68. c. 318–324 Dating: Wikipedia, “Arius”. Quotation: Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy, our library.
  69. 325 Dating: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “First Council of Nicaea”. Text: Alexander of Alexandria, writer page, our library.
  70. 337 Dating: Wikipedia, “Constantine the Great”.
  71. c. 375–380 Dating: Wikipedia, “Apostolic Constitutions”. Text: Apostolic Constitutions, our library.
  72. 367 Dating: Bart D. Ehrman, The Bart Ehrman Blog, “Was the New Testament canon really closed in 367 CE?”.
  73. 27 Feb 380 Dating: Wikipedia, “Edict of Thessalonica”.
  74. 381 Dating: Wikipedia, “First Council of Constantinople”.
  75. 386–397 Dating: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Saint John Chrysostom”; Wikipedia, “John Chrysostom”. Text: John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew (1–60 of 90), our library. Our library has Homilies 1–60 of the 90 on Matthew.
  76. Lent 387 Dating: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Saint John Chrysostom”; Wikipedia, “John Chrysostom”. Quotation: John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Statues, Homily 5, our library.
  77. 397–398; 399 Dating: Wikipedia, “Eutropius (consul 399)”. Quotation: John Chrysostom, First Homily on Eutropius, our library.
  78. 404–407 Dating: Wikipedia, “Olympias the Deaconess”. Quotation: John Chrysostom, Four Letters to Olympias, our library.
  79. 431 Dating: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Nestorianism”.
  80. 451 Dating: Wikipedia, “Chalcedonian schism”.

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