Bi 208 The rise of Christianity and the world of Rome

1. Ancient Rome: TheAncient Rome: The
Rise of ChristianityRise of Christianity
World HistoryWorld History

2. Entering a Time of PeaceEntering a Time of Peace
 Under Julius Caesar, Rome became an empire.Under Julius Caesar, Rome became an empire.
 Octavian Augustus was the first emperor ofOctavian Augustus was the first emperor of
Rome.Rome.
 Rome became too powerful to be challengedRome became too powerful to be challenged
and entered a time of peace in the empire,and entered a time of peace in the empire,
known as theknown as the Pax RomanaPax Romana or “Roman Peace.”or “Roman Peace.”
 Allowed ideas to spread across the world.Allowed ideas to spread across the world.

3. How Powerful Was Rome?How Powerful Was Rome?
 3 million square3 million square
milesmiles
 80 million80 million
peoplepeople
 1 million1 million
residents in cityresidents in city
of Rome.of Rome.

4. The Rise of a New ReligionThe Rise of a New Religion
 In 63 BC, Rome took overIn 63 BC, Rome took over
Judea, the home of theJudea, the home of the
Jewish religion.Jewish religion.
 Judea was controlled byJudea was controlled by
King Herod, a JewishKing Herod, a Jewish
governor for Rome.governor for Rome.
 After Herod’s death,After Herod’s death,
fighting broke out amongfighting broke out among
his sons.his sons.
 Rome sent troops to createRome sent troops to create
peace in Judea.peace in Judea.

5. The Birth of ChristianityThe Birth of Christianity
 Judaism was tolerated by the Romans at first.Judaism was tolerated by the Romans at first.
 FirstFirst Monotheistic Religion: Only oneMonotheistic Religion: Only one
supreme god.supreme god.
 Jesus of Nazareth was born under the rule ofJesus of Nazareth was born under the rule of
Octavian (Caesar Augustus)Octavian (Caesar Augustus)
 Grew up preaching the idea ofGrew up preaching the idea of oneone true godtrue god
 Spread a message of peace, love, forgiveness.Spread a message of peace, love, forgiveness.
 Many Jews believed that Jesus was theMany Jews believed that Jesus was the
MessiahMessiah oror SaviorSavior, from the Romans., from the Romans.
 Jesus was calledJesus was called ChristChrist which means “savior” inwhich means “savior” in
Greek.Greek.

6. How do We Know About Jesus?How do We Know About Jesus?
 Followers of Jesus wrote about theFollowers of Jesus wrote about the
teachings and experiences thatteachings and experiences that
occurred during his life.occurred during his life.
 These writings were calledThese writings were called Gospels,Gospels,
meaning ‘good news’meaning ‘good news’
 Can be found in the New Testament ofCan be found in the New Testament of
the Christian Bible.the Christian Bible.
 The Old Testament is used by the JewishThe Old Testament is used by the Jewish
faith which does not believe Jesus wasfaith which does not believe Jesus was
the true Messiah.the true Messiah.

7. The Pros and Cons ofThe Pros and Cons of
ChristianityChristianity
 Why did Christianity appeal to people?Why did Christianity appeal to people?
 Embraced All peopleEmbraced All people
 Promised life after death forPromised life after death for
ALL people.ALL people.
 Appealed to poorer peopleAppealed to poorer people
who were not wealthy like Romans.who were not wealthy like Romans.
Because of theBecause of the Pax Romana,Pax Romana, these ideas of Christianitythese ideas of Christianity
were able to spread quickly through the empire.were able to spread quickly through the empire.

8. The Crucifixion of JesusThe Crucifixion of Jesus
 The popularity of Jesus with the poor angeredThe popularity of Jesus with the poor angered
the Romans and the Jews.the Romans and the Jews.
 Jesus was called the “Son of God” and a “King”Jesus was called the “Son of God” and a “King”
 Jews feared Jesus’s preaching would anger theJews feared Jesus’s preaching would anger the
RomansRomans
 Jewish leaders turned Jesus over to the RomanJewish leaders turned Jesus over to the Roman
governor of Jerusalem,governor of Jerusalem, Pontius PilatePontius Pilate to beto be
Crucified.Crucified.
 ““Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs toGive to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to
God.”God.”

9. Golgotha- “Place of the Skull”Golgotha- “Place of the Skull”

10. After the ApostlesAfter the Apostles
*Followers of Jesus became known as*Followers of Jesus became known as Christians.Christians.
Much of what is known about Jesus comes fromMuch of what is known about Jesus comes from
the writings of histhe writings of his Apostles.Apostles.
**Apostle means “One whoApostle means “One who
travels”.travels”.
Apostles traveled, spread Christian teachings,Apostles traveled, spread Christian teachings,
and wrote the Gospels of the Bible.and wrote the Gospels of the Bible.
Peter and Paul were two very influentialPeter and Paul were two very influential
Apostles.Apostles.

11. The 12 ApostlesThe 12 Apostles

12. Roman Persecution of Jews andRoman Persecution of Jews and
ChristiansChristians
 Why did the Romans hate Christianity/Judaism?Why did the Romans hate Christianity/Judaism?
 Monotheism vs. PolytheismMonotheism vs. Polytheism
 Christians/Jews didn’t recognize the emperors asChristians/Jews didn’t recognize the emperors as
Gods.Gods.
 Blamed for any problems in Roman society.Blamed for any problems in Roman society.
 Emperors such as Nero crucified and torturedEmperors such as Nero crucified and tortured
Christians and Jews as traitors.Christians and Jews as traitors.
 Many Jews fled their homeland to escape- Known asMany Jews fled their homeland to escape- Known as
the Jewishthe Jewish DiasporaDiaspora- or “spreading out”- or “spreading out”
 Christians and Jews becameChristians and Jews became Martyrs:Martyrs: Dying for theirDying for their
beliefs.beliefs.

13. The Jews Strike BackThe Jews Strike Back
 66 AD- Jews rebel against the Romans.66 AD- Jews rebel against the Romans.
 70 AD- Romans stormed Jerusalem and destroy70 AD- Romans stormed Jerusalem and destroy
their temple, leaving only the Western Wall a.k.atheir temple, leaving only the Western Wall a.k.a
the “wailing wall”.the “wailing wall”.
 73 AD- Jews and Romans fight at the Battle of73 AD- Jews and Romans fight at the Battle of
Masada. Over 500,000 Jews died in this battle,Masada. Over 500,000 Jews died in this battle,
mostly of suicide.mostly of suicide.
 Today- The Western Wall is Jerusalem’s holiestToday- The Western Wall is Jerusalem’s holiest
shrine.shrine.

14. The Victory Arch of EmperorThe Victory Arch of Emperor
Titus over the Jews in JerusalemTitus over the Jews in Jerusalem

15. Hilltop Fortress at MasadaHilltop Fortress at Masada

16. Jerusalem’s Western WallJerusalem’s Western Wall

17. The Martyrdom of PeterThe Martyrdom of Peter
 Peter the Apostle traveled to RomePeter the Apostle traveled to Rome
and was crucified upside down byand was crucified upside down by
Nero.Nero.
 Believed to be the first “Bishop” orBelieved to be the first “Bishop” or
Pope of the Christian Church.Pope of the Christian Church.
 Today, all Popes are believed to beToday, all Popes are believed to be
descendants of St. Peter.descendants of St. Peter.
 We now call this the “We now call this the “Catholic”Catholic” churchchurch
which means “which means “Universal”Universal”..

18. St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican CitySt. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City

19. The VaticanThe Vatican

20. The Tomb of Saint PeterThe Tomb of Saint Peter

21. Christianity Under ConstantineChristianity Under Constantine
 In 312 AD, Constantine becameIn 312 AD, Constantine became
Emperor of Rome.Emperor of Rome.
 During Battle, he saw an image of a crossDuring Battle, he saw an image of a cross
and won.and won.
 313 AD313 AD- Constantine issues the- Constantine issues the Edict ofEdict of
MilanMilan making Christianity a legal religionmaking Christianity a legal religion
in Rome.in Rome.
 To strengthen the religion he called theTo strengthen the religion he called the
Council of NicaeaCouncil of Nicaea to establish the coreto establish the core
beliefs of Christianity, leading to thebeliefs of Christianity, leading to the
Nicene CreedNicene Creed..

22. Finally OfficialFinally Official
 In 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius declaredIn 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius declared
Christianity the Offical Religion of the RomanChristianity the Offical Religion of the Roman
Empire.Empire.