episode 3 waypoints in church history the coliseum and christian martyrs dr. ann t. orlando
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Episode 3 Waypoints in Church History
The Coliseum and Christian Martyrs
Dr. Ann T. Orlando
Waypoint Timeline
• Hymn: Phos Hilaron
• Theme: Church in time of martyrdom
• Focus moves from Jerusalem to Rome
Coliseum (Colosseum) Introduction
• Construction started by Roman Emperor Vespasian in 71 AD– Completed by his son,
Emperor Titus
• Greatest arena in antiquity– Site of Roman games– Execution of criminals,
including Christian martyrs– Site of greatest gladiatorial
contests
Pre-History of Coliseum• Coliseum stands on land the Emperor
Nero (15-68) wanted for his massive Golden House (Domus Aurea)
– Roman fire of 64 AD was said to have been started by Nero to clear land to expand his Golden House
– To still public outrage, Nero claimed the Christians set the fire
– St. Peter tries to flee Rome (Quo Vadis)
– St. Paul and St. Peter were executed as a result
• Vespasian, Roman general fighting against the Jews, became Emperor after Nero committed suicide in 68 AD
– To show that he was better than Nero, Vespasian tore down much of the Golden House and built a public theatre, the Coliseum
Typical Day in Coliseum
• Morning: Animal Fights• Noontime: Public
Executions– Includes Christians
• Afternoon: Gladiators• Example: Emperor Trajan
used 11,000 wild animals and 10,000 gladiators to celebrate his triumphs in 107 AD
Roman Persecution of Christians after Nero
• Romans did not really care if Christians worshiped Trinity– But expected all Roman
citizens to also worship Roman gods
– Failure to do so was impious and treasonous
• Romans become increasingly suspicious of Christians from the end of the 1st until the beginning of the 4th C
Christian Martyrs
• Martyr comes from the Greek, witness• Possible Christian responses to persecution
– 1. Intellectual: Apologies written to justify Christianity to Roman authorities
– 2. But, if you believed that Jesus only appeared to be human (docetists), then there seemed little reason to be a martyr yourself
– 3. Some did not have the courage when accused, and so apostatized
– 4. Facing torture and death without apostasy; often even looking forward to martyrdom eagerly as a proof of solidarity with Jesus
Example: St. Ignatius of Antioch
• Early Bishop of Antioch• Antioch one of most
important cities in antiquity– Place where Christians were
first called ‘Christian’– Both Peter and Paul
associated with first Christian Church in Antioch
– Antioch prides itself on having St. Peter as its first bishop
Ignatius Taken to Rome
• Arrested in Antioch c. 110 AD
• Taken to Rome by command of Emperor over land and on prison ship
• Writes letters to seven Christian communities along the way
Ignatius’ Letters
• Importance of suffering in imitation of Christ– Opposed to those who did not think Christ suffered (Smy
2.1)• Importance of Bishop (Eph 5.1-2)
– The truth is taught and passed down from one Christian generation to the next
– Unity of Church– Eucharistic
• Witness during time of persecution (Rom 4.1-2)• First time Christian Church is called ‘Catholic’ (Sym
8.1-2)• Ignatius’ Letters were frequently referred to by
subsequent bishops and theologians, and he is quoted in CCC
Martyrdom of Ignatius
• Died during reign of Trajan c. 110 AD
• By tradition he died a martyr in Rome– Likely in Coliseum as part
of lunchtime entertainment
• We remember Ignatius among the martyrs in First Eucharist Prayer
• Feast Day, October 17
The Coliseum Today
• After Roman Empire fell, most of the grand ancient buildings also deteriorated
• Marble from the Coliseum was taken over the centuries for other purposes, leaving only the underlying stone structure
• Coliseum is one of the most iconic tourist sites in Rome
• Every Good Friday the Pope Leads the stations of the Cross in the Coliseum
Next Waypoint
• St. John Lateran Baptistery
Websites for Episode 3
• Pope Benedict XVI, Ignatius of Antioch, General Audience, March 14, 2007, available at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20070314_en.html
• Catholic Encyclopedia, Ignatius of Antioch, available at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07644a.htm
• Recommended English translation: Kenneth Howell, Ignatius of Antioch, A New Translation and Theological Commentary (Zanesville, OH: CHResources, 2008)