Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity 1

Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity 1

Christianity -Jews practiced a Monotheistic (one god) religion -Early on in Pax Romana, a new religion, Christianity emerged in a distant corner of the Empire 3

-Many Jews reluctantly lived under Roman rule, however, some wanted a revolt against Rome and believed a messiah would come to lead their people to freedom “Love your neighbor as yourself” Ethical concepts –humility, charity and love toward others

CHRISTIANITY • Roman religion wasn’t personal, they worshiped the state/Christianity contained elements of other old religions • Christianity filled people’s need to belong, in a group • If you believe in Christ, you will have salvation

Jesus -Born in 4 B. C. in Bethlehem -at 30 began preaching to villagers, used parables-short stories with simple moral lessons to communicate his ideas -Roman authorities felt Jesus would lead the Jews in a revolt against their rule 6

Death of Jesus -According to the gospels, Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples, arrested by the Romans, and killed by crucifixion-a person was bound to a cross and left to die -Rumors then spread that Jesus had not died but had risen from death 8

Christianity Spreads -Disciples preach the messages of Christianity throughout the Roman world --Paul played the most influential role in spreading Christianity He spread Christianity throughout the Mediterranean Many Christians became martyrsor people who suffer or die for their beliefs 9

Early Christian Church -Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in A. D. 313. -The Edict granted freedom of worship to all citizens of the Roman empire -By the end of the century, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire 10

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH • Became the institution that was an avenue between the individual and God • Protestant Reformation • Preserved culture and knowledge in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire