Rise of Christianity and Islam…… 100 A.D. Christian churches had been established throughout the Eastern Roman empire and parts of the Western Empire. Romans viewed the new church as harmful to the public order because Christian would not worship Roman gods. TREASON Christians were persecuted under Nero (54-68 A.D). They were blamed for the fire that destroyed most of Rome.

Church is strengthened- The Christian church becomes more organized due to these persecutions and a new clergy (church leaders) is formed. These new leaders came directly from the church membership. Laity- Followers- Christianity was more personal than the old Roman religion It offered eternal life and salvation People had a sense of belonging It appealed to every class of people and was especially attractive to the poor and powerless. Constantine became the first Christian emperor. In 1313 his Edict of Milan proclaimed official toleration of Christianity. Under Theodosius the Great, the Romans adopted Christianity as their official religion. Rise of Christianity and Islam……

Roman Divided -Constantine was the soul emperor of Rome when be began his largest project, Constantinople (the NEW ROME). This became the Eastern Roman Empire. -The policies of Diocletian and Constantine were based on control and coerion. -Diocletian and Constantine divide the empire into two parts and it last for 100 more years. -Eventually the Huns from Asia moved into Eastern Europe causing the German Visigoths to move south into Roman territory. They defeated The Romans in 378 A.D. Rome is sacked by German tribes many times throughout the next century. Rise of Christianity and Islam……

The Arabs and Islam The Arabs were nomadic and lived in the Arabian Peninsula. This area is harsh desert with little water. The climate was the reason they were always on the move. Early Arabs herded sheep and farmed on the oases of the Arabian Peninsula. Caravan trade was very popular and it expanded into Arab regions and towns. These areas grew to carry goods between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Rise of Christianity and Islam……

Arabs trace their ancestors to Abraham and his son Ishmael, who were believed to have built a shrine at Mekkah (Mecca.) They recognized a supreme god named Allah (Arabic for “God”) but also worshipped other tribal gods. Muhammad The prophet Muhammad is born into a merchant family in Makkah. He becomes a caravan manager and marries his boss, Khadija. Rise of Christianity and Islam……

The Prophet Muhammad Muslims believe that Muhammad received revelations from God while meditating in the hills. Muhammad came to believe that Allah had revealed himself partially through Moses (Judaism) and Jesus (Christianity) but his final revelations were to him. These revelations became the Quran. After preaching for three years trying to convince the people of Makkah he only had 30 followers. Rise of Christianity and Islam……

After much discouragement he moved to Yathrib which was later named Madinah (Medina.) The date of this journey, 622 A.D., is the known as the Hijrah. It is the first year of the Muslim calendar. In 630 Muhammad returned to Makkah with 10,000 solider and the city surrendered. Many of the residences converted to Islam. Muhammad died in 632 A.D. leaving a split in the religion. The Sunni regard Ali (Muhammad’s cousin) as the fourth on the list of rightful leadership after the death of Muhammad. The Shias felt that Ali was the first in line for the job because of his directly family succession. This is still a source of tension in the religion to this day. Rise of Christianity and Islam……

Difference in Christianity and Islam… both religions are monotheistic and promise salvation in the afterlife Muhammad is NOT considered divine, as Jesus is in the Christian religion. Muslims follow an ethical code comprised of the “Five Pillars of Islam.” - There is no deity but the One God and his Prophet Muhammad is his messenger. - Muslims must prescribe prayers five times a day. - Muslims must give part of the wealth to the poor - Muslims fast (refrain from food and drink) during the holy month of Ramadan - Each Muslim must make a pilgrimage to Mekkah at least once in their lifetime. Rise of Christianity and Islam……