Objective:

To introduce students to Roman attitudes toward Christians during the first century CE.

Create a DIALOGUE between Romans and Christianson beliefs about various aspects of life.

Roman attitudes toward early Christians:• In the early 1st century Romans were

unconcerned• Expansion brought new religious ideas into

empire

• Accustomed to conflicts between Jewish sects (Jesus – one more troublemaker)

• Little effort to change beliefs because they paid tribute to the Roman Empire• Missionaries preached to obey Roman

laws and pay taxes

• Around 64 CE, Romans began to take a more hostile view:

• Nero blamed Christians for great fire.

• Romans viewed Christians as anti-social and arrogant• Refused to participate in community

festivals honoring Roman gods• Confidence in their beliefs and practices• False rumors about Christian practices

• Roman law passed @ 100 CE, killing anybody who admitted being a Christian

• Artwork• Style

• Burial• Afterlife

• Monotheism

• View of killing• Martyrs

• Hymns• Instruments• Attendance

• Style• Interaction

• Sacrifice / favors• agape

• Commandments• Style