RISE OF CHRISTIANITY
ROMAN RELIGION
What was the religion of Ancient Rome? POLYTHEISM – OLYMPIAN GODS
Who was the political leader of Roman Empire?THE EMPEROR
Who was the religious leader of Roman Empire?THE EMPEROR
What was the “afterlife” like in early roman religion?
LIKE GREECE – SINNERS SUFFEREDHEROES & KINGS – ELYSIUM
ROME expands all the way to Eastern into Mesopotamia and incorporates Jerusalem
As a result come in contact with a variety of diff erent religions and for the most part are tolerated (because they are also polytheistic)
EXPANSION OF ROME
Starts as a secret society cult religion 30 AD – Jesus of Nazareth is crucified (not in the year
O AD)
CHRISTIANITY
10 years after Jesus is crucified – estimated Christians = 1000
The Roman trade routes and roman roads allowed the message of the Christians to spread easily from the East westward all across the empire.
SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY
What attracted many people to Christianity?
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/the-life-of-a-slave/
WHY WAS IT SO APPEALING?
COMMONERS & SLAVES: “So your telling me that
regardless of my social status now, if I live a virtuous
life, I can be treated as equal in the afterlife? Where
do I sign?”
ELITE: “Wait…so all those assassinations I planned,
and my sleazy political ways…my treating of the
commoners like crap, my abuse of my slaves….that is
going to get me sent to hell!?.....This religion must
be stopped!”
MESSAGE OF THE CHRISTIANS
During his reign Rome is “mysteriously” burned…but why? 1 Theory: Nero did it on purpose to clear land near the
coliseum to build his own palace
NERO – 64 AD
NERO: “I know! Lets blame the Christians!”
1. That’ll gives an excuse to get rid of that religion that severely contradicts the old gods and threatens the elite
2. Deflects the attention away from me and my hidden agenda
KILL 2 BIRDS WITH 1 STONE
The persecuted Christians become martyrs
What is a martyr?
Pretty much for every Christian that dies there is a witness who spreads the word of their courage and as a result Christianity doesn’t die but instead it spreads.
PLAN BACKFIRES…
First churches are held in secrecy in peoples houses
The home is a woman’s domain.
Church is being held in the home.
Roman society is generally discriminatory to women
Christianity gives women a distinct role….
CHRISTIANITY GROWS
250 BC Population of Rome - 60 million Population of Christians – 1.1million
Martyrdom continues…
People see these people facing persecution and death without fear showing their belief in salvation which spreads word further and further across the empire…
300 BC Population of Rome = 60 million Population of Christians = 6 million.
GROWTH CONTINUES
303 BC – Emperor Diocletion says enough is enough
Becomes furious when he realizes Christians won’t sacrifice to the old gods
Rounds up all the Christians he can find and persecutes about 5000 of them outside the Coliseum.
Again they face death with no fear and again the word spreads even further…
ETHNIC CLEANSING
Previously to held the Empires management problems Diocletian separated the Empire into East & West and it was ruled by co-emperors (a Tetrarchy – rule of 4).
Guess what…just like the 1st & 2nd Triumvirates …this doesn’t work and civil war ensues between Constantine & his co-emperors
CONSTANTINE THE GREAT
Prior to marching into battle Constantine sees an “omen” or “sign from god” in the sky (it is unclear what it was – possibly an eclipse)
Declares he will fight this Battle in the name of the lord and the Christians.
They win decisively …therefore it must be because of the support of the lord Jesus Christ.
CONSTANTINE THE GREAT
Returns to Rome, institutes policies of religious tolerance
First Emperor to be baptized
CONSTANTINE THE GREAT
The Arch of Constantine in Rome tells the story of this “divine” battle
EMPERORAll religious powerAll political powerAll judicial power
POWER – BEFORE CONSTANTINE
THE “POPE”Worried about
church matters & that’s about it
The Pope was
technically still a
subject of the
Emperor
CONSTANTINE: “ Hey Pope, why not have some secular powers too?” Secular: Powers outside of the church (political, legislative)
POPE: “Thanks dude.”
Christians begin taking over political roles and authority
POWER DURING CONSTANTINE
Medieval Kings & Rulers become a subject of Christianity and therefore have to answer to the Pope
The State becomes subject to the will of the Christian Church
POWER AFTER CONSTANTINE (NEXT UNIT)
Barbarians continue to invade and pillage the Western Roman Empire
The Eastern Empire is much more secure & “safe”
Constantine founds the city of New Rome in Byzantium
Renamed: Constantinople in his honor
CONSTANTINE THE GREAT