Christianity as the Roman state religion

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/christianity-as-the-roman-state-religion

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the date of edict of thessalonica?June 380 AD
2. What is the emperors issuing the edict?Theodosius I (East), Gratian (West), and Valentinian II (West)
3. Why did the Romans want one religion?They wanted to keep the empire together and make everyone follow the same rules, so they chose Christianity as the official religion.
4. Did all Christians agree with the new law?No, some Christians, like the Arians, and many other religions were not allowed to be the official religion.

Nicene Orthodoxy: The theological doctrines established at the Council of Nicea, affirming the full divinity of Jesus Christ.
Edict of Thessalonica: Imperial legislation in 380 AD that mandated Nicene Christianity as the official state religion of the Roman Empire.
Ecumenical Councils: Major church assemblies convened by Roman emperors to address theological disputes and define Christian doctrine.
Christological Debates: Controversies concerning the nature of Jesus Christ, particularly the relationship between his divine and human aspects.