Chapter Six:The Rise of the Biblical
Tradition
Chapter Six:The Rise of the Biblical
TraditionCulture and Values, 8th Ed.
Cunningham and Reich and Fichner-Rathus
Culture and Values, 8th Ed.Cunningham and Reich and
Fichner-Rathus
Timeline for Ancient Rome
509 BCE – Rome overthrows the Etruscan Kings275 BCE – Rome controls the whole of Italy
146 BCE – Rome defeats Carthage150 BCE – Rome takes control of Macedonia and
Greece44 BCE – Rome conquers Gaul (France)
31 BCE – Augustus defeats Mark Anthony and Cleopatra in Egypt
14 CE – Death of Augustus98 – 117 CE – Trajan rules. Roman Empire at its largest.
312 – 337 CE – Constantine rules. Beginning of the end….
Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E. - C.E. 476)
Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E. - C.E. 476)
The year of Four Emperors 68-69 AD Nerva and the “Five Good Emperors” (A.D.
96–180) The Severan Dynasty (A.D. 193–235) The Crisis of the Roman Empire (A.D. 235–
284) Diocletian and the Tetrarchy (A.D. 284–305) Constantine and Christianity Julian, Theodosius, and the Later Roman
Empire (A.D. 337–1453)
The year of Four Emperors 68-69 AD Nerva and the “Five Good Emperors” (A.D.
96–180) The Severan Dynasty (A.D. 193–235) The Crisis of the Roman Empire (A.D. 235–
284) Diocletian and the Tetrarchy (A.D. 284–305) Constantine and Christianity Julian, Theodosius, and the Later Roman
Empire (A.D. 337–1453)
The End of the Roman Empire
The End of the Roman Empire
Gradual decline and political disunityInsufficient army / use of mercenary
troopsIncreased taxes, decreased value of
moneyImpossibility of trade
Emperor Diocletian (284-305)Emperor Constantine (306-337)
Gradual decline and political disunityInsufficient army / use of mercenary
troopsIncreased taxes, decreased value of
moneyImpossibility of trade
Emperor Diocletian (284-305)Emperor Constantine (306-337)
Constantine the Great. 325–26 CE. Height of head 8’ 6”. Constantine the Great. 325–26 CE. Height of head 8’ 6”.
Late Roman Art and Architecture
Late Roman Art and Architecture
Last great Roman Imperial buildingsBasilica Nova
Abandonment of Classical idealsRole of Christianity
Last great Roman Imperial buildingsBasilica Nova
Abandonment of Classical idealsRole of Christianity
2000 bce –1260 bceAge of Hebrew Patriarchs Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob (r. 1800–1600)Hebrews in Egypt until Exodus in
12801260 bce –1000 bce
Hebrews begin to penetrate land of Canaan
Reign of Saul first king of Israel 1040–1000
1000 bce –922 bceReign of King David 1000–961
Reign of King Solomon 961–922; height of ancient Israel’s cultural
power922 bce –587 bce
Civil war after Solomon’s death splitsIsrael; prophetic period begins
Northern Israeli kingdom destroyed by Assyria in 721
MesopotamiaSumerian (3500-2350 B.C.E.)Semitic (2350-612 B.C.E.)Ancient Egypt31 dynasties / 4 groups:Old Kingdom (2700 B.C.E.)Middle Kingdom (1990 B.C.E.)New Kingdom (1570 B.C.E.)Late Period (1185-500 B.C.E.)Timeline: Ancient Greece900-600 BCE: Geometric Period
600-480 BCE: The Archaic Period480-323 BCE: The Classical Period323-31/30 BCE: The Hellenistic Period
GreeceClassical period (500-323
B.C.E.) The Hellenistic Period
323-31 bce
RomeMonarchy/ Etruscan Age
(700-89 B.C.E.)Republican Rome (509-
27 B.C.E.)Imperial Rome (27 B.C.E. - C.E. 337)
587 bce – 63bceJews driven into captivity in
Babylonia in 587King Cyrus allows Jews to return
to Jerusalem in 539Dedication of Second Temple in
516Conquest by Alexander the Great
in 33263 bce – 381ce
Rome conquers Jerusalem in 63Reign of King Herod 37–4 Herod
Birth of Jesus ca. 6Titus sacks Jerusalem in 70
Reign of Emperor Constantine 307–327
Edict of Milan 313Founding of Constantinople
Christianity declared state religion
Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E. - C.E. 476)
Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E. - C.E. 476)
The year of Four Emperors 68-69 AD Nerva and the “Five Good Emperors” (A.D.
96–180) The Severan Dynasty (A.D. 193–235) The Crisis of the Roman Empire (A.D. 235–
284) Diocletian and the Tetrarchy (A.D. 284–305) Constantine and Christianity Julian, Theodosius, and the Later Roman
Empire (A.D. 337–1453)
The year of Four Emperors 68-69 AD Nerva and the “Five Good Emperors” (A.D.
96–180) The Severan Dynasty (A.D. 193–235) The Crisis of the Roman Empire (A.D. 235–
284) Diocletian and the Tetrarchy (A.D. 284–305) Constantine and Christianity Julian, Theodosius, and the Later Roman
Empire (A.D. 337–1453)
AbrahamAbraham
Age of Hebrew PatriarchsHebrew Bible Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Age of Hebrew PatriarchsHebrew Bible Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Biblical HistoryBiblical History
Biblical tradition + Graeco-Roman Culture Children of Israel, Israelites, Jews,
Hebrews Period of the Patriarchs Period of the Exodus Period of the Conquest The United Monarchy Divided Kingdom and Exile The Return
Biblical tradition + Graeco-Roman Culture Children of Israel, Israelites, Jews,
Hebrews Period of the Patriarchs Period of the Exodus Period of the Conquest The United Monarchy Divided Kingdom and Exile The Return
6.2 Spoils of Jerusalem (detail from the Arch of Titus), 81ce. Rome, Italy
6.2 Spoils of Jerusalem (detail from the Arch of Titus), 81ce. Rome, Italy
The Hebrew Bible and Its Message
The Hebrew Bible and Its Message
“Bible” Byblos The Law, the Prophets, the Writings Hebrew canon (C.E. 90) Septuagint-deuterocanonical books Moral guide, ethical and religious
stability Not a philosophical treatise
“Bible” Byblos The Law, the Prophets, the Writings Hebrew canon (C.E. 90) Septuagint-deuterocanonical books Moral guide, ethical and religious
stability Not a philosophical treatise
Basic Motifs of the BibleBasic Motifs of the Bible
Biblical MonotheismGod exists before the worldGod pronounces creation as “good”Humans are the crown of creationGod deeply involved in the world
Biblical MonotheismGod exists before the worldGod pronounces creation as “good”Humans are the crown of creationGod deeply involved in the world
Basic Motifs of the BibleBasic Motifs of the Bible
The Covenant “I will be your God; you will be my
people”Testament = PromiseRenewed covenant = New Testament
The Covenant “I will be your God; you will be my
people”Testament = PromiseRenewed covenant = New Testament
Basic Motifs of the BibleBasic Motifs of the Bible
EthicsMoral code for individuals and societyTen Commandments
Prohibitions, positive commandsProphetic writings
Critics of social injustice, defenders of poor
Reminders of the covenant
EthicsMoral code for individuals and societyTen Commandments
Prohibitions, positive commandsProphetic writings
Critics of social injustice, defenders of poor
Reminders of the covenant
Basic Motifs of the BibleBasic Motifs of the Bible
Models and typesEvents, stories, characters as modelsBook of JobContemporary impact of biblical
traditionLiteratureArtSocial institutions
Models and typesEvents, stories, characters as modelsBook of JobContemporary impact of biblical
traditionLiteratureArtSocial institutions
Dura-EuroposDura-Europos
Evidence of religious buildings—early Christian meeting house and synagogueComplex religious existence—pagan
temples and homesArtistic mingling of Eastern and
Roman styles
Evidence of religious buildings—early Christian meeting house and synagogueComplex religious existence—pagan
temples and homesArtistic mingling of Eastern and
Roman styles
Baptistery wall painting: Christ
Healing the Paralyticca. A.D. 232
Paint on plasterObject: 145 x 88 cm (57 1/16 x
34 5/8 in.)Yale-French Excavations
at Dura-Europos
Baptistery wall painting: Christ
Healing the Paralyticca. A.D. 232
Paint on plasterObject: 145 x 88 cm (57 1/16 x
34 5/8 in.)Yale-French Excavations
at Dura-Europos
6.6 Fresco of Moses and the Exodus, from the Dura-Europos synagogue. Damascus, Syria
6.6 Fresco of Moses and the Exodus, from the Dura-Europos synagogue. Damascus, Syria
The Beginnings of Christianity
The Beginnings of Christianity
Life of JesusGospels
Prophetic tradition of JesusParables, Beatitudes
Jesus as Christ, the MessiahSignificance of resurrection
Life of JesusGospels
Prophetic tradition of JesusParables, Beatitudes
Jesus as Christ, the MessiahSignificance of resurrection
Christianity SpreadsChristianity SpreadsSaul of Tarsus (Paul)
Tireless missionary Theological letters
Early martyrs—Vibia PerpetuaSocial, religious factors for growth
Peace, facility of travel, koine, audienceEmphasis on salvation, freedomNo class distinction
Saul of Tarsus (Paul)Tireless missionary Theological letters
Early martyrs—Vibia PerpetuaSocial, religious factors for growth
Peace, facility of travel, koine, audienceEmphasis on salvation, freedomNo class distinction
Christian PersecutionChristian Persecution
Nero’s CircusClaudius, Decius, Valerian, DiocletianChristians as traitors to the state
Refusal to express pietàsApologists
Tertullian (155/160-225) Justin Martyr (100-165)
Emperor Constantine
Nero’s CircusClaudius, Decius, Valerian, DiocletianChristians as traitors to the state
Refusal to express pietàsApologists
Tertullian (155/160-225) Justin Martyr (100-165)
Emperor Constantine
Christian Expansion Christian Expansion
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/christ.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/christ.html
Early Christian ArtEarly Christian Art
Catacombs, underground cemeteriesFrescoes
Salvation; Communion; Virgin and ChildGlass and Sculpture
Christ as Good Shepherd, glass disksCarved sarcophagi
InscriptionsName, date of death, decorative symbol
Catacombs, underground cemeteriesFrescoes
Salvation; Communion; Virgin and ChildGlass and Sculpture
Christ as Good Shepherd, glass disksCarved sarcophagi
InscriptionsName, date of death, decorative symbol
6.7 The Good Shepherd, early 4th century ce. Catacomb of Saints Pietro and Marcellino, Rome, Italy
6.7 The Good Shepherd, early 4th century ce. Catacomb of Saints Pietro and Marcellino, Rome, Italy
Bowl Base with Old and New
Testament Scenes, ca.
350–400Byzantine,
said to have been found in 1715 in the Roman
catacomb of Saint
CallistoGlass, gold
leaf
Bowl Base with Old and New
Testament Scenes, ca.
350–400Byzantine,
said to have been found in 1715 in the Roman
catacomb of Saint
CallistoGlass, gold
leaf
Sarcophagus with Scenes from the Lives of Saint Peter and Christ,
early 300s (with modern restoration)
Roman Marble
Sarcophagus with Scenes from the Lives of Saint Peter and Christ,
early 300s (with modern restoration)
Roman Marble
6.10 The Good Shepherd, ca 300 ce. Marble, 3’3” (99 cm)_ high. Museo Pio Cristiano, Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Rome, Italy.
6.10 The Good Shepherd, ca 300 ce. Marble, 3’3” (99 cm)_ high. Museo Pio Cristiano, Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Rome, Italy.
6.9 Chi-rho monogram, 4th century ce. From a wall painting in a Roman villa, Lullingstone, Kent, England. Detail of wall painting,
90 cm, diameter of inner circle. The British Museum, London, United Kingdom.
6.9 Chi-rho monogram, 4th century ce. From a wall painting in a Roman villa, Lullingstone, Kent, England. Detail of wall painting,
90 cm, diameter of inner circle. The British Museum, London, United Kingdom.
6.8 Anchor with entwined fish, 4th century ce. Mosaic from the Catacombs of Hermes, Sousse, Tunisia
6.8 Anchor with entwined fish, 4th century ce. Mosaic from the Catacombs of Hermes, Sousse, Tunisia
The Hinton St Mary MosaicDorset,
England, Roman
Britain, 4th century AD
The Hinton St Mary MosaicDorset,
England, Roman
Britain, 4th century AD
Asiatic garland sarcophagus, Mid-Imperial, Severan period, 200–225 A.D. Roman Marble
Asiatic garland sarcophagus, Mid-Imperial, Severan period, 200–225 A.D. Roman Marble
Early Christian ArchitectureEarly Christian Architecture
Basilica-Style ChurchesCurrent site of St. Peter’s Basilica
(Vatican)Church of the Holy Sepulcher
(Jerusalem)Jesus’ burial site
Basilica-Style ChurchesCurrent site of St. Peter’s Basilica
(Vatican)Church of the Holy Sepulcher
(Jerusalem)Jesus’ burial site
Floor plan old St. Peter’s Basilica
Floor plan old St. Peter’s Basilica
Early Christian MusicEarly Christian Music
From Jewish traditionsChanting sacred texts
Professional Chorus vs. Single Cantor
Greek doctrine of ethos Instrumental music = unsuitable
Standardization of vocal musicResponsorial, antiphonal
From Jewish traditionsChanting sacred texts
Professional Chorus vs. Single Cantor
Greek doctrine of ethos Instrumental music = unsuitable
Standardization of vocal musicResponsorial, antiphonal
6.14 The Blind Harper, ca 1340-1330 B.C.E. From the tomb of Paatenemmhib, Saqqara, Egypt. Limestone basalt relief, detail, 11 ½” (29 cm) high. Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Leiden, Netherlands.
6.14 The Blind Harper, ca 1340-1330 B.C.E. From the tomb of Paatenemmhib, Saqqara, Egypt. Limestone basalt relief, detail, 11 ½” (29 cm) high. Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Leiden, Netherlands.
Chapter Six: Discussion Questions
Chapter Six: Discussion Questions
Discuss contemporary examples that illustrate the permeation of the biblical tradition in our culture.
Explain why Nero and other Roman emperors were unwilling to tolerate Christianity. From a political standpoint, was the severity of punishment inflicted on Christians warranted? Why or why not?
Consider the archeological findings of Dura-Europos. In what ways does history over-simplify past events? In two thousand years, what will future generations assume about our culture, religions, and religious tolerance? Explain.
Discuss contemporary examples that illustrate the permeation of the biblical tradition in our culture.
Explain why Nero and other Roman emperors were unwilling to tolerate Christianity. From a political standpoint, was the severity of punishment inflicted on Christians warranted? Why or why not?
Consider the archeological findings of Dura-Europos. In what ways does history over-simplify past events? In two thousand years, what will future generations assume about our culture, religions, and religious tolerance? Explain.
