The three great monotheistic religions in what was the Roman Empire -- a thumbnail sketch:

1. Islam

• Mohammed born 570
• 23 years of revelations from the angel Gabriel
• dictation = Qur'an (= "recitation")
• followers move to Medina in 622 (hijra); beginning of Muslim calendar
• Mohhamed dies in Mecca in 632
• a return to pristine monotheism: "There is no god but God"
• rapid spread via conversion and conquest, despite succession struggles
• victorious Umayyads: move capital from Medina to Damascus

2. Christianity

• persecutions -- e.g., under Diocletian, as late as 305; why?
• Constantine and the Battle of the Milvian Bridge
• the Edict of Milan: 313
• rapid spread to cities (countryside much slower): why?
• and Constantine moves the capital to "Constantinople"

3. Judaism

• origins well before Roman Empire (Abraham)
• had been Jews living in city of Rome itself since at least 2nd c. B.C.E.
• revolt of Judea against Rome
  • sack of Temple in 70 C.E.
  • many Jews flee (e.g., to Spain)