Ancient Rome - Religion

Warm-Up…No, you may not use your notes..

1. What role did Julius Caesar, Marc Antony and Octavian play in bringing down the Roman Republic?

2. How was the Roman Empire – politically different – under the rule of Octavian?

3. Provide three examples on how life was like during the Pax Romana or Roman Peace.

Warm-Up

Christianity

Religion in Rome

Early Roman ReligionRomans

practiced

polytheism –

they believed

in many gods

and

goddesses.

They were the

same gods

and

goddesses of

the Greeks –

however they

had different

names.

Rome allowed conquered peoples to practice their religions within the empire.

During this time – Rome came into contact with two other religions.

Both religions were monotheistic – they believed in one god.

Judaism In Palestine, the

Hebrews, or Jews, had come to believe long before the Roman Empire existed that they had a covenant, or binding agreement, with God.

They had accepted God as the ruler of Heaven and Earth.

In return, God made the Jews the chosen people on Earth.

Jews also believed that a Messiah or Savior would one day save them.

God's LawsFrom Moses the

Jews had received

God’s Ten

Commandments

(religious and moral

laws), which guided

their lives.

They forbid stealing,

lying, cheating, and

murder.

They also urge

people to treat one

another with justice,

love, and respect.

Romans vs. JewsRoman authorities

and Jewish leaders

generally lived in

peace.

But in 70 A.D.,

Rome crushed a

Jewish revolt.

Many Jews were

forced to leave

Israel.

The scattering of

Jews throughout the

world is called the

Diaspora

A New Message Emerges In Palestine, about 2 BCE, a

baby was born to a married Jewish couple named Mary and Joseph.

This Jewish baby was named Jesus.

According to Christian sources called the Gospels, Jesus as a young man studied with Jewish scholars and teachers.

When Jesus was about thirty, he began to spread his preach.

His message was rooted in the Jewish faith in one God, the God of the Hebrews, or Jews.

Jesus also upheld the Ten Commandments as God’s law.

The Message Jesus taught about God’s

goodness and mercy.He spoke of a forgiving God.God was the loving father of

all people, rich and poor, Jew and non-Jew.

Jesus urged repentance, which means to ask for forgiveness of sins.

He told Jews, according to the Gospels (Christian Texts), that “no one can come to the Father, except through me.”

Death To A RebelJesus attracted

many followers.

As Jesus’ following

grew, Roman

officials worried

that he might

provoke an

uprising.

In 33 A.D., Jesus

was arrested and

sentenced to die

by crucifixion, a

Roman method of

execution.

Jesus’ followers believed that he was the son of God and Savior or Messiah, and that he rose from the dead, or resurrected, three days after his crucifixion.

The Apostles were 12 disciples who Jesus chose to receive special training. After the Resurrection, the Apostles traveled widely telling about Jesus and his teachings.

Some of the disciples wrote about his life and teachings. Known as the Gospels (Good News in Greek), they can be found in the New Testament of the Bible.

Paul, one of the most important early convert (disciple), traveled in the Roman Empire, spreading Jesus’ message. Those who followed Jesus’ teachings became known as Christians, or followers of Christ.

Christ comes from the Greek word Christos, or messiah.

Christianity Is Born

Persecution of Christians

Christianity spread

rapidly throughout the

Roman Empire.

Thousands emerged by a

hundred years of the

death of Jesus.

Rome became

increasingly suspicious.

Christians refused to

show respect for Roman

gods. Also, emperors

feared Christians would

cause revolts.

As a result, thousands of

Christians suffered

persecution

(punishment of a group

because of their beliefs)

and death.

Christians met in

secret but continued

to spread their faith.

Christianity Becomes FreeIn 312 A.D., on the eve

of a battle, the Roman Emperor Constantine dreamed of a cross.

In his dream, Constantine understood that if he took the cross as his symbol……he won the battle.

After his victory, Constantine converted to Christianity and allowed Christians freedom of worship.

Christianity Spreads Throughout the Empire

In 380 A.D.,

Emperor

Theodosius declared

Christianity the

official and only

religion of the

Roman Empire.

Under Roman rule,

Christianity spread

even more and

easily throughout

the Mediterranean

and northward into

Europe.

Other religious practices in Rome continued during the Christian Era. These religions focused on gods and goddesses, and animal and natural spirits. These religions had special holidays and feast days.

Christian leaders placed their holidays and feast days on the same days – eventually, people stopped practicing the older religions.Example – Christmas was placed over several original

holidays.Roman holiday called Saturnalia which exchanged gifts.Roman god Janus (January) was celebration of new year, had

greenery and lights.Northern Pagans with the Winter Solstice of lights, bon

fires, Yule logs

How do we change religions?

Christianity developed over many years and grew stronger through a well-organized system of authority.

The highest Christian officials were bishops.Eventually, the bishop of Rome became head of the

Church (Christian Religion).He took the name of pope, or father of the Church

(Christian Religion).Peter – a disciple, who spread Christianity in the city of

Rome and was crucified upside down, became the first Pope.

It was the Church that carried the Christian faith into Europe.

A New Leader In the Roman Empire

1. Judaism2. Christianity3. Judaism under Roman rule4. Christianity under Roman rule5. Christian Organization

Review

1. Compare and Contrast Judaism and Christianity.

2. According to many historians, Christianity should not have survived and become the world’s largest religion. How did this occur?

Review