Roman Life, Christianity, Rome’s Fall (100 BC- 400 AD) I.Roman Life A.Homes B.Paterfamilia C.Religion D.Fun E.Slavery II.Christianity A.Rise B.Persecution III.Later Rome A.Constantine B.Why Fall? (476 AD) Key Terms Domus Larium Insulae Circus Maximus Colosseum Public Baths Spartacus Constantine Council of Nicea Theodosius Barbarian Invasions Bread & Circus

Homes-Domus (Single-story homes for rich)

Atrium (Often open to the sky with a basin to catch rainwater)

Larium (A household shrine for special gods or ancestors of the family)

Homes-Insulae (Multi-story apartments for commoners)

Public Toilets-Not Much Privacy (Open to men & women at same time)

Food/Diet Wealthy = Bread, meat & fish were common; exotic meats, fruits & vegetables Poor = Bread; some vegetables, pork on rare occasions

Roman Family Family = Paterfamilia All family authority (including life & death) was held by the father. Marriages were usually arranged.

Mother & Child Mothers/women had no political power, but did exercise authority over education of children.

Religion Prayers were recited on a regular basis each day.

Larium (A household shrine for special gods or ancestors of the family)

Religion Romans tolerated other religions, but all had to respect Roman gods. –Jewish temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD –Jews were dispersed from Jerusalem in 73 AD Simply took Greek gods and renamed them. Prayers were recited on a regular basis each day.

Greek & Roman Gods GreekRoman ZeusJupiter

Greek & Roman Gods GreekRoman HeraJuno

Greek & Roman Gods Greek Roman PoseidonNeptune

Fun In Rome Holidays: Workday: per year 6-7 hours

Chariot Races (At Circus Maximus)

Teams Blue Green White Red

Exotic Animals & Gladiators at Colosseum

Public Baths Rooms At The Baths Tepidarium Calidarium Frigidarium

Pont du Gard - Aqueduct (France-178 feet high)

Slavery In 14 AD Italy’s population was 7.5 million; 1/3 were slaves (about 3 million). Most were former prisoners of war and they worked producing food. 73 BC Spartacus led a slave rebellion; at its height, it involved 120,000 men.

Christianity Grew out of Jewish belief a Messiah would come one day. It is believed Jesus was born 4 BC. Message-all (including poor) could be saved; established ethical standards. Jesus was seen as subversive to Roman authority and executed around AD.

Gospels (Written AD) Synoptic Gospels (meant to be read together) –Mark (65-70 AD) Written while disciples were alive (could have been contradicted); Goal = biography –Matthew (85-90 AD) Goal = convert Jews; fulfills OT prophecy –Luke ( AD) Goal = convert non-Jews; several verses taken word-for-word from Mark & Matthew

Gospels (Written AD) John ( AD or later) –Contradicts earlier Gospels in places –Not biography; Goal = theological study with Christ as redeemer/creator

Paul Of Tarsus Traveled throughout the entire Roman world. –Used Roman road network. –Koine-Greek trade language. Preached to Jews and non-Jews alike. Wrote to Christians all over the Mediterranean world outlining religious teachings/doctrine.

Persecution Labeled as Atheists because many would not respect Roman gods. Appeared to have odd religious practices… Emperor Nero blamed Christians for the great fire in 64 AD.

Christianity Greek letters for word “fish” abbreviated: “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”

Diocletian 1.Political Reform: The Empire was divided into four geographic regions AD 2.Social Reform: Christianity was outlawed 3.Economic Reform: The tax system was modified and taxes increased

Constantine 1.He consolidated power and ruled by decree 2.The capital of the Roman empire was moved to the East— AD Constantinople 3.The practice of Christianity was legalized

They Might Be Giants “Istanbul was Constantinople”

Theodosius Decreed Christianity was the official religion of Rome (380 AD)

Non-Christian Religions Prohibited Temple & Statue of Zeus in Olympia Temple of Zeus = Destroyed

Council of Nicea (326 AD) There were many views as to the nature of Jesus & Christian Doctrine. Constantine called all religious leaders (Bishops) together Nicene Creed: –Trinity: God, Jesus & Holy Spirit are one –Virgin birth of Jesus –He was crucified & rose from dead

Why Did Rome Fall? (476 AD) 2.Bread & Circus! People wanted “games” and free food. They became consumers; not producers 3.Administrative problems-the empire was simply too big to govern 1.Barbarian Invasions a)Roman army wasn’t what it used to be

A Better Question: How/why was it able to last so long?

Roman Life, Christianity, Rome’s Fall (100 BC- 400 AD) I.Roman Life A.Homes B.Paterfamilia C.Religion D.Fun E.Slavery II.Christianity A.Rise B.Persecution III.Later Rome A.Constantine B.Why Fall? (476 AD) Key Terms Domus Larium Insulae Circus Maximus Colosseum Public Baths Spartacus Constantine Council of Nicea Theodosius Barbarian Invasions Bread & Circus