Chapter 7Section 5

The Rise of

Christianity

Review• What war did roman allies fight to have the right

to participate in government?• Who was named dictator for life by the Senate?• What happened when Caesar increased the

Senate to 900 members?• Why do Historians not believe slavery was

essential to the Roman economy?• Could women own property?• What bridge like structures carry water from the

mountains?

Jews and the Roman Empire

• The Romans allowed people to practice their different religions as long as the people honored the gods of Rome and the “divine spirit” of the emperor

• At first Jews were not required to honor other gods, as to not impose on their monotheist beliefs

• Still some Jews called {Zealots believed in the establishment of an independent Jewish state} fearing they would be weakened by outside influences they started a rebellion against Rome

Continued….

• The Jews revolted against Rome and Rome destroyed the holy city of Jerusalem and leveled all but the western wall of the Second Temple.

• The wall became known as the Wailing Wall it is considered a sacred site for Jews

• The emperor at the time {Hadrian banned all the Jews from the holy city} they were forced to build communities outside the city

The Wailing Wall

The Teachings of Jesus

• The religion was founded by the followers of the Jewish teacher Jesus of Nazareth

• Jesus wandered the country with his disciples and according to the Gospels he performed miracles and defended the poor

• Jesus’ teachings were for all people. They promised forgiveness and eternal life for those who accepted by faith what God had already done for them.

The Death of Jesus

• {The Romans feared Jesus would lead an uprising so they put him to death}

• According to the Gospels Jesus rose from the grave and remained on earth for 40 more days before ascending to heaven

• They believe that through his death all people could be redeemed from God’s final judgment

Michelangelo's Pieta:Madonna and Child

The Spread of Christianity

• The disciples believed that judgment day was coming soon. So they set out to spread the message

Christians spoke out against the worship of more than one god & tried to convert others to their ways of thinking

The Romans viewed this as an attack on Roman religion and outlawed Christianity

Continued…

• The Romans occasionally seized and executed Christians

• Many Christians became Martyrs, meaning they died for their beliefs.

• Many citizens turned to Christianity for hope and the church became so large the government could not punish all its members

• Romans accepted Christianity as a religion

The Romans Accept Christianity

• In 312 AD Roman emperor Constantine declared his support of Christianity

• In 391 AD emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the empire

• Priests conducted services & ceremonies above them were bishops who headed the church. The bishops of the major cities were called patriarchs, and the patriarch over Rome took the title of pope.

Constantine

Review• What war did roman allies fight to have the right

to participate in government?• What bridge like structures carry water from the

mountains?• What is the name of the people who believed in

the establishment of an independent Jewish state?

• Who banned all the Jews from the holy city?• The Romans feared this person would lead an

uprising so they put him to death