The Roman Persecutions

What does it mean? PERSECUTE (verb): to treat (someone) cruelly or unfairly especially because of race or religious or political beliefs PERSECUTION (noun): A movement to kill people based on their religion Sentence: Many Christians were imprisoned or killed because of their religion in the Roman Persecutions. d

Why did the romans persecute Christians? Romans feared Christian beliefs Romans blamed Christians for economic problems More non-Jewish people, called Gentiles, were becoming Christian Many thought it Christianity could end the Roman government

Persecution of Christians Crucifixion 2. Thrown to Lions 3. Set on fire

A RELIGION IN Rome Christianity became a legal religion in Rome because of Emperor Constantine in 313 C.E. Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion in 380 C.E.

Essential Question How did Christianity change from being a persecuted religion to an official religion in Rome?

The Document Writers Tacitus – Wrote about the “Great Fire” Emperor Nero was believed to start in an article called “Annales” Eusebius – Roman historian who became a bishop in 314 C.E.

The Document Writers Constantine – Emperor of Rome from 306-337 C.E. He became a Christian towards the end of his life. Theodosius I– The emperor of Rome from 379-395 C.E. He made Christianity the official Roman religion in 380 C.E.

Facebook Timeline ACTIVITY Each group will read one document from around the time of the Roman persecutions (starting from 49 CE) Not every group will read the same document After reading, talk to your group members to answer the questions on the bottom of your reading Write the answers to your questions in the right box on your Facebook timeline You will change groups and share your answers with your new group members All boxes should be filled, besides the first one (“What’s on your mind?”)

Is this even a persecution or acceptance? Answer the 2 questions Is this even a persecution or acceptance? (Acceptance = to allow something Give an example from your reading.

Homework Read your completed timeline Answer the Essential Question in the first box – “What’s on your mind?” Draw a profile picture for the person your group was assigned Write the person’s name box in the middle