Before Constantine. The first recorded official persecution of Christians on behalf of the Roman Empire was in AD 64, when, as reported by the Roman historian Tacitus, Emperor Nero attempted to blame Christians for the Great Fire of Rome.
They're separated by the South China Sea.
3. The literacy rate began to rise as interest in learning grew.
4. Books became available to many people throughout Europe.
Before the results of the printing press, when Johannes Gutenberg invented it in 1440, only about thirty percent of European adults were literate (could read and write). His invention flooded Europe with printed material which is when literacy rates began to rise after interest in learning increased.
