The Roman Empire and the Rise of Christianity

Religion in Ancient Rome

• Important role in peoples lives

• Worship was impersonal-little emotion

• observed rituals• Sacrifice• Public gods/goddesses• Whole family

worshipped household lares (gods) every day

Emperor Marcus Aurelius offering a sacrifice

Religion in Ancient Rome

• Temples• Family

alters/shrines

The Pantheon

Religious Diversity in Ancient Rome

• Diverse & tolerant• Required to honor

Roman gods • acknowledge

divine spirit of emperor

• Most conquered people were polytheistic

Temple Sacrifice of Animals

Mystery Religions - Emphasized secret rituals and promised special rewards

Cult of Isis-Very popular w/ women

Originated in Egypt

Mithra- Persian god who championed good over evil and offered life after death. Favored by Roman soldiers

Judea: Birthplace of Christianity

• Remote east end of Mediterranean Sea• Once been kingdom of Israel (King David & Solomon)

Judea, 4 BCE

• Rome appointed military governor

• Judea forced to pay tribute

• Left local affairs to the Jews

• Peaceful period, but Jews hated Romans

Divisions in Judea

• During Hellenistic age, many Jews had absorbed Greek customs & ideas

• Many Jewish conservatives rejected these influences - called for strict obedience to Jewish laws & traditions

Who were the Zealots?

• Jews who believed a Messiah, a savior, would be sent as king to lead Jewish people to freedom

• frequent revolts= destruction of Temple of Solomon & DIASPORA (dispersal) of the Jews in the 2nd century

How did Rome deal with Jews?

• Jews were monotheistic

• Roman battle standards and shields were offensive to them

• displayed Caesar as emperor-god

• Jews protested• Romans

repressive• Diaspora-

dispersed Jews into exile after revolt

What sources provide information about Christianity?

• Jesus’ life was reconstructed from events as seen through a lens of faith

• At his death, Jesus’ followers thought the end of world was imminent

• when it didn’t happen, they had to reconstruct his life

• Accounts vary• These writings are the New

Testament of the Christian Bible

• Four gospels (good news) written in Greek

The Gospels (Good News)

• Oral and Written sources 30 -70 years after Jesus’ death

• Worked miracles• Message to love one

another

Jesus

• Born in about 7 BCE in Judea

• Began his teachings at about age 33

• Believed to be a Messiah foretold in Jewish traditions

• Challenged religious & civil authorities

• Tried and executed• Teachings spread by his

disciples, especially Paul• Challenged the Roman

Empire

Jesus’ Birth

• Difficult to pinpoint exact time

• Not until middle of 6th century that Christians began to use Christ’s birth as reference point

• Thought to be about 4 BCE, in Bethlehem

Birth of Jesus

• And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house of lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was not place for them in the inn.

(Luke 2:4-7)

Jesus’ Teachings

• Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountains, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

• (Matthew 5:1-3)

The Crucifixion and Resurrection

So they took Jesus, and he went our, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of the skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”– (John 19:17-19)

Missionary Work of Paul

• And he lived there two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and welcomed all who came to him, preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered. – (Acts 28:30-31)

Paul’s Missionary Journey’s

Persecutions of the Christians

• Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? But even if you do suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubles, but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. – (1 Peter 3:13-15)

Why was Christianity so appealing?

• Jesus welcomed all people esp. humble, poor, oppressed

• Message of love, equality, human dignity, promise of a better life after death

• Paul included ideas from Plato, Stoics, etc.

• Educated Romans attracted by discipline and moderation

How did Christianity Spread?

• Missionaries traveled all over the empire• Provided unity to the weakening empire• Early writings were in Greek or Latin• Persecution and martyrs brought new converts

Emperor Constantine I(280-337 CE)

• He had a powerful religious experience- converted in 312 CE

• gave primacy of church rule over the west

Edict of Milan

• Constantine• Declaration issued in

313 CE• Christianity an

approved religion

• Theodoscius - 395 CE made Christianity official state religion of Roman Empire

How did Christianity become the official religion of Imperial Rome?

• Despite brutal persecutions, Christianity continued to spread

• By 300 CE, 5 million Christian followers

• Adopted by lower economic classes

• Offered community & salvation

• Over time, all classes converted

• Many tired of continual warfare- sought peace and security

The Early Christian Church

• Common faith in the teachings of Jesus

• Common way of worship• Baptism offered

forgiveness of sin• Members were

equals-”brother” & “sister”• Sunday-gathered for

ceremony of thanksgiving to God

• Ate bread and drank wine in sacred supper

What was the role of women?• attracted by

the message of equality

• Teachers & administrators

• Worked to win converts

Structure of the Church

• Each community had its own priest• Only men• Bishop – a Church official responsible for all Christians in an area called a diocese • Bishops traced their authority back to the original apostles and then back to Jesus• Bishops of the important cities called patriarch – most were in the east • Developed into a hierarchy with officials arranged according to rank

Church Divisions

• Rivalry among the patriarchs• Latin-speaking popes claimed greater authority• Greek-speaking patriarchs believed that spiritual

authority should be shared • Heresies – beliefs contrary to official Church

teachings-emerged• Councils were formed to resolve disputes• Missionaries sent out to convert beyond the

Roman Empire

What are the Central Beliefs of Christianity?

• Jesus is the Son of God and came to earth to teach love & fellowship and to redeem the sins of man

• Model for all Christians

• Bible is the teachings and expectations for Christians

• 39 books from the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament