RISE OF CHRISTIANITY

Roman religion What was the religion of Ancient Rome? POLYTHEISM – OLYMPIAN GODS Who was the political leader of Roman Empire? THE EMPEROR Who was the religious leader of Roman Empire? What was the “afterlife” like in early roman religion? LIKE GREECE – SINNERS SUFFERED HEROES & KINGS – ELYSIUM

EXPANSION OF ROME ROME expands all the way to Eastern into Mesopotamia and incorporates Jerusalem As a result come in contact with a variety of different religions and for the most part are tolerated (because they are also polytheistic)

CHRISTIANITY Starts as a secret society cult religion 30 AD – Jesus of Nazareth is crucified (not in the year O AD)

SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY 10 years after Jesus is crucified – estimated Christians = 1000 The Roman trade routes and roman roads allowed the message of the Christians to spread easily from the East westward all across the empire.

WHY WAS IT SO APPEALING? What attracted many people to Christianity? http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/the-life-of-a-slave/

MESSAGE OF THE CHRISTIANS COMMONERS & SLAVES: “So your telling me that regardless of my social status now, if I live a virtuous life, I can be treated as equal in the afterlife? Where do I sign?” ELITE: “Wait…so all those assassinations I planned, and my sleazy political ways…my treating of the commoners like crap, my abuse of my slaves….that is going to get me sent to hell!?.....This religion must be stopped!”

NERO – 64 AD During his reign Rome is “mysteriously” burned…but why? 1 Theory: Nero did it on purpose to clear land near the coliseum to build his own palace

Kill 2 Birds with 1 stone NERO: “I know! Lets blame the Christians!” 1. That’ll gives an excuse to get rid of that religion that severely contradicts the old gods and threatens the elite 2. Deflects the attention away from me and my hidden agenda

PLAN BACKFIRES… The persecuted Christians become martyrs What is a martyr? A person who is killed for their religious or other beliefs. Often revered by followers/believers Pretty much for every Christian that dies there is a witness who spreads the word of their courage and as a result Christianity doesn’t die but instead it spreads.

CHRISTIANITY GROWS 250 CE Population of Rome - 60 million Population of Christians – 1.1million First churches are held in secrecy in peoples houses The home is a woman’s domain. Roman society is generally discriminatory to women

GROWTH CONTINUES Martyrdom continues… People see these people facing persecution and death without fear showing their belief in salvation which spreads word further and further across the empire… 300 CE Population of Rome = 60 million Population of Christians = 6 million.

ETHNIC CLEANSING 303 CE – Emperor Diocletian says enough is enough Becomes furious when he realizes Christians won’t sacrifice to the old gods Rounds up all the Christians he can find and persecutes about 5000 of them outside the Coliseum. Again they face death with no fear and again the word spreads even further…

CONSTANTINE THE GREAT Previously to held the Empires management problems Diocletian separated the Empire into East & West and it was ruled by co-emperors (a Tetrarchy – rule of 4). Guess what…just like the 1st & 2nd Triumvirates …this doesn’t work and civil war ensues between Constantine & his co-emperors

CONSTANTINE THE GREAT Prior to marching into battle Constantine sees an “omen” in the sky (it is unclear what it was – possibly an eclipse) Declares he will fight this Battle in the name of the lord and the Christians. They win decisively …therefore it must be because of the support of the lord Jesus Christ.

CONSTANTINE THE GREAT Returns to Rome, institutes policies of religious tolerance First Emperor to be baptized The Arch of Constantine in Rome tells the story of this “divine” battle

POWER – BEFORE CONSTANTINE EMPEROR All religious power All political power All judicial power THE “POPE” Worried about church matters & that’s about it The Pope was technically still a subject of the Emperor

POWER DURING Constantine CONSTANTINE: “ Hey Pope, why not have some secular powers too?” Secular: Powers outside of the church (political, legislative) POPE: “Thanks dude.” Christians begin taking over political roles and authority

CONSTANTINE THE GREAT Barbarians continue to invade and pillage the Western Roman Empire The Eastern Empire is much more secure & “safe” Constantine founds the city of New Rome in Byzantium Renamed: Constantinople in his honor

POWER AFTER CONSTANTINE (NEXT UNIT) Medieval Kings & Rulers become a subject of Christianity and therefore have to answer to the Pope The State becomes subject to the will of the Christian Church