Section 4: The Development of Christianity
Targets 1. Describe the public preaching of Jesus, a Jew from Palestine. 2. Summarize how Christianity spread throughout the empire and eventually became the state religion of Rome.
Background:Roman Religion the official religion focused on the worship of a number of gods & goddesses Jupiter, Juno, Minerva & Mars
Maps and Charts 2
The Jewish Background Judaea, the old Jewish kingdom of Judah under the direction of a Roman official called procurator Division & unrest among the Jews
The Jewish Background Jewish revolt began in 66 Crushed by the Romans Temple of Jerusalem destroyed
The Rise of Christianity It was in the midst of the confusion & conflict that Jesus of Nazareth began his public preaching
Jesus
The Message of Jesus Transformation of the inner person Love God & love one another Love your neighbor as yourself Ethical concepts - humility, charity & love towards others
The Message of Jesus Jesus was a potential revolutionary Jesus denounced by a Jewish court Pontius Pilate ordered his crucifixion
Pontius Pilate washes his hands of guilt and blame
Jesus being crucified
The Message of Jesus Followers of Jesus believed he had overcome death & come back to life
The Spread of Christianity Simon Peter, a fisherman who became a follower of Jesus Taught that Jesus was the Savior, the Son of God Jesus death had made up for the sins of all humans
Apostle Peter
The Spread of Christianity Paul of Tarsus, highly educated Jewish Roman citizen Followed the command of Jesus to preach the gospel to both Jews & Gentiles Founded Christian communities
Paul
The Spread of Christianity Within 60 days, there were approximately 10,000 converts Teachings passed on orally Saying of Jesus, personal memories, life & teachings form the core of the New Testament
Roman Persecution Threatened public order or public morals Harmful to the Roman state Nero persecuted Christians Cruel deaths
The Triumph of Christianity Structure of the church clergy, the church leaders laity, the regular church members
Why was Christianity able to attract so many followers? 1. Message, personal & offered salvation 2. Seemed familiar, offered immortality 3. Fulfilled the need to belong, formed communities
The Triumph of Christianity 4th century, Constantine became the first Christian emperor 313 he issued the Edict of Milan, which proclaimed official tolerance of Christianity
Constantine
The Triumph of Christianity Theodosius the Great, adopted Christianity as the official Roman religion
Section 5: Decline & Fall
Targets Explain why the Roman Empire gained a new lease on life under Diocletian and Constantine. Analyze how ferocious warriors from Asia and Germany finally brought an end to the Roman Empire.
I. The Decline 180 A.D. a period of conflict & confusion
Political Upheavals From 235 to 284, 22 emperors occupied the Roman throne 20 of these emperors met violent death Series of invasions
Economic & Military Problems Invasions, civil wars & plague caused an economic collapse of the Roman Empire Decline in trade & small industry labor shortage
Economic & Military Problems Plague (epidemic disease) affected both military & economy Farm production declined Financial strains made it difficult to pay soldiers
II. The Reforms of Diocletian & Constantine End of 3rd century & beginning of 4th two emperors helped the Empire New governmental structure, rigid economic & social system & new state religion, Christianity
The Reforms of Diocletian & Constantine Diocletian divided the empire into four units Both rulers strengthened & enlarged the administrative bureaucracies
The Reforms of Diocletian & Constantine Political & military reforms greatly enlarged the army & civil service inflation - a rapid increase in prices
The Reforms of Diocletian & Constantine Constantine constructed a new capital city in the east, the Greek city of Byzantium renamed it Constantinople Called it his “New Rome” built large palaces & forum
The Reforms of Diocletian & Constantine Temporally successful, such policies in the long run stifled the very vitality the Late Empire needed to revive its sagging fortunes
III. The Fall Capital of the Western Roman Empire remained Rome Constantinople remained the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire Pressure from invading Germanic tribes
Maps and Charts 4
The Fall The Germanic Visigoths, crossed the Danube River 378 Visigoths defeated the Romans in 410, the Visigoths sacked Rome Vandals poured into Spain
Maps and Charts 4
The Fall 455 the Vandals, sacked Rome 476 the western emperor was disposed The Eastern Empire or Byzantine Empire continued to thrive
IV. Why did Rome Fall Christianity’s spiritual kingdom weakened Roman military virtues Traditional Roman values declined, as non-Italians gained prominence
Why did Rome Fall Lead poisoning in leaden water pipes caused mental decline Plague wiped out 1/10 of the population Failed to advance technology because of slavery
Why did Rome Fall Unable to put together a workable political system
Analyzing Maps and Charts
Augustus Marcus Aurelius almost a hundred years
the Western Empirethe Eastern Empire Illyricum Byzantium