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Greek gods worshiped with Roman names Emperors worshiped as gods Observation of rituals brought humans into better relationship with gods
Romans tolerant of others faiths; worship of native gods allowed in provinces Religions of the East were considered trendy, became popular among Romans looking for a more emotional religion/faith
Jewish Background
In Hellenistic times, Jews given much more independence than other cultures A.D. 6: Roman province of Judaea covers land of the Israelites, ruled by procurator Unrest, difference of opinion about Rome
Sadducees:
cooperate with Rome Pharisees: observe religious law to keep Jewish identity Essenes: lived as hermits waiting for God to save them from Roman oppression Zelots: called for open revolt against Rome
Rise of Christianity
A.D. 30: Jewish prophet named Jesus begins preaching in Judaea and Galilee Jesus Mission: complete salvation God promised to the people of Israel Messiah Taught people to look for inner peace by practicing humility, charity and love toward others Put to death for revolutionary ideas Followers proclaimed he rose from the dead three days after his death
Words of Jesus:
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfill them So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Spread of Christianity
Began as a movement with Judaism Prominent leaders include:
Simon
First
Paul:
educated Jewish citizen of Rome, who took the message of Jesus to Gentiles
Paul believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and humanity can be saved from sin by accepting the teachings of Jesus Paul wrote letters outlining his beliefs
Romans
think of this as treason Christians believe in only one God, and worshiping another endangers soul
Nero begins persecution (harassing to cause suffering), blaming them for fire By the end of the rule of the five Good Emperors, persecution mostly stopped
Christian Triumph
of organization gives specific jobs to clergy (church leaders) and laity (followers)
Christianity grew quickly in the 1st Century A.D., took root in the 2nd, and spread widely in the 3rd Century
gives purpose to life Roman religion was impersonal and existed for the benefit of the Roman Republic/Empire Christianity=personal, eternal life, salvation
Christianity seemed familiar, shared qualities with other trendy faiths from East Christianity offered sense of belonging
Churches=close
Rich,
Last persecution was in 4th Century, under Emperor Diocletian, who admitted the strength of Christianity was too much
A.D. 313: Emperor Constantine issues Edict of Milan, giving freedom of religion
Constantine
becomes first Christian emperor of Rome, baptized at the end of his life
Theodosius the Great establishes Christianity as the official state religion of Rome
Roman Decline
The last of the Five Good EmperorsMarcus Aurelius dies in A.D. 180
Emperor Septimius Severus told his sons: pay the soldiers, ignore everyone else Severan emperors known for militaristic rule, and brutality 235-284: Throne held by whoever can take it by force 22 emperors of this period, most die violently Constant invasion also caused problems
Century: Invasions, civil wars and plague almost ruins Roman economy
Plague
causes less people to trade & soldiers Farm production down, armies ravage them Money loses value
No money to recruit and pay soldiers Germans fill in the gap, but have little loyalty to generals, or the empire
Western empire under attack by Germans 350-400: Huns, tribe from Asia, and pressures Germanic Visigoths, moving them into Roman territory, become allies of Rome against Hunsrevolt soon after 410: Visigoths sack Rome 455: Vandals sack Rome
The
Many reasons are given for the fall of Rome, none fully explain it.