Development of Christianity 5.4

Background: Roman Religion Augustus Revived Roman state religion Many gods and goddesses Emperors Rituals Peace and prosperity Tolerance

The Jewish Background and the Rise of Christianity Judaea Unrest Jewish Revolt crushed by Romans destroyed temple in Jerusalem

Jesus Jewish Preached about virtues Turned over to Romans Crucified under Pontius Pilate Followers believed he overcame death - Messiah Simon Peter Paul of Tarsus Converts New Testament Letters written by disciples Gospels

Christian verses Roman threat to public order threat to salvation Persecution Nero

Triumph of Christianity Organization Growth personal, familiar, belonging Based on love, equality Persecution revived Constantine Edict of Milan Theodosius the Great adopted Christianity as official Roman religion

Decline and Fall 5.5

The Decline Unrest after death of last good emperor Invasions Severans Military rule Invasions Persia, Germanic Peoples Civil Wars Plague

Late Roman Empire Revival New government structure Rigid economic and social system New religion – Christianity Expanded bureaucracy Enlarged army Drained treasury

Diocletian Constantine Divided into 4 sections Became sole ruler of Rome New capitol Constantinople “New Rome” Policies based on coercion and control

The Fall Empire continued for 100+ years Two Capitols Invasions Rome in the West Constantinople in the East Invasions Huns, Visigoths, Vandals Western roman Empire fell in 476 Many theories

The End