Gladiators and horsemen fete Rome's 2,767th anniversary - 60 photos of Rome's Strength Early Christians Faced

In Aspendos, a Turk wants to be a gladiator

April 21 - Rome's birthday. 2,767 "anniversaries".

Easter - Christ is Risen. "In the Beginning was the Word and the Word with God and the Word was God."

Early Christians faced the might of Rome's laws, armies and institutions. They were opposed by Greek religions and put down by wise philosophers who brought their great knowledge against followers of "The Way", hoping to crush this new faith.

The Great Theater in Ephesus seats 24,000

Rome's glory lasted for a little more than 1,000 years. Constantinople's majesty also captured the world's attention for a little more than 1,000 years. Western European powers are presently caught up in the pride of their own (temporary) successes.

In Pergamum, the Temple of Trajan and Hadrian is partly restored

The seven novels I'm writing, one about each of the Seven Churches of the Revelation, explore the challenges early Christians faced when the might of Rome and the wisdom of Greece confronted humble followers of Jesus Christ in Pergamum, Sardis, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Smyrna and Ephesus. I would appreciate your prayers as I bring the fifth novel to a conclusion in the next month.

A photo journal of events in Rome shows 60 photos, marking the 2,767th anniversary of the founding of Rome. These photos may indicate the kind of world in which early Christians found themselves. Find photos here