Hist. 114B: History of Christianity, CE Instructor: Prof. Alison Turtledove MTWR 12:30-1:50, Girvetz 1116

A typical church in c. 256 CE... House-Church at Dura-Europos, Syria

... in c Basilica of Santa Sabina, Rome, Italy

... in Palace-Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen, France

... and in Reims Cathedral, France

2002 CE Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA

Jesus of Nazareth c. 8-4 BCE-30 CE Right: an early Christian image of Jesus. “Good Shepherd” fresco, Catacomb of Callixtus, Rome. Early 200s CE. Preached of a kingdom that was “not of this earth” Early self-identifications: “Brothers and sisters,” “the assembly,” “the saints,” “the way,” and eventually, “Christians”

Early Church Structure Right: Peter and Paul, Wreathed by Christ. Fragment of glass bowl, 4 th century. Ecclesia, “assembly”  church Presybteroi, “elders”  priests Diaconoi, “deacons” Episcopoi, “overseers”  bishops APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

A Roman Context Image: The “Pilate Stone,” the only extant inscription bearing the name of Pontius Pilatus, procurator of Judaea in the first century.

Martyrs Image: Martyrdom of St. Lawrence (d. 3 rd c.). Ravenna, Italy. 5 th century. PROBABLY FICTIONAL Three options when facing persecution: apostasize, flee, or be punished

Early Christian Meeting Places House-Church at Dura-Europos, Syria Built during period of respite and growth before the Decian Persecution (mid 3 rd century)

Constantine and Christianity 313—Edict of Milan grants toleration to Christians. Does not illegalize polytheism. Personal relationships with bishops; formation of a new Christian elite 325—Council of Nicaea Nicene Creed After C, all Roman emperors except one are Christians

Monasticism Image: modern Coptic icon of St. Anthony the Great Ascesis, “training”  ascetic Monachos, “solitary”  monk

A Christian Roman Empire Basilica of Santa Sabina, Rome, Italy ( ) 380 CE—Emperor Theodosius I makes Nicene Christianity the state religion of the Empire. Pagans were now persecuted, and Jews’ rights restricted.

Fall of Rome? Image: Victorian depcition of the abdication of Romulus Augustulus, 476 Political center of the west destabilized; rise of “barbarian” kingdoms

Origins of the Papacy in 6 th -century Italy Apostolic succession/Petrine Theory Calixtus I ( ) Whatever the Bishop of Rome is, he isn’t “the Pope”

Lombards and Benedictines Trying to find an image of a Lombard online brings up a disturbing number of white supremacist websites. So here is Benedict of Nursia (d. 547) Benedict’s ideal monastery was a communal society where men spent each day in strictly regimented work and prayer. Promoted copying of manuscripts Monastery life  quiet, rural, a welcome retreat in a time of instability

Gregory I “The Great” Image: Gregory I writing while a dove whispers in his ear, 10 th century Bishop of Rome Monastic (Benedictine) background Took charge of Rome, religiously, politically, and militarially

Gregory I “The Great” Image: Gregory I writing while a dove whispers in his ear, 10 th century Bishop of Rome Monastic (Benedictine) background Took charge of Rome, religiously, politically, and militarially Papa!