SSWH3 The student will examine the political, philosophical, and cultural interaction of Classical Mediterranean societies from 700 BCE to 400 CE. d. Describe polytheism in the Greek and Roman world and the origins and diffusion of Christianity in the Roman world.

Greek /Latin funerary inscription to Licinia Amias with “Fish of the living” and fish/anchor symbols

The Roman World

The Jews – Their Historical Identity Ancient Israel 13 th or 12th Cent. BCE – 586 BCE The Exodus from Egypt Moses The “Golden Age” United kingdom under David and Solomon; the First Temple “Not-so-Golden Age” The Kingdom divided (Israel vs. Judah) The Babylonian Exile Moses and the Ten Commandments

The Jews – Their Historical Identity The Hasmoneans ( BCE) Family of priest- kings Dynasty ends in power struggle Rome asked to intervene Enter the Romans Palestine now occupied by Rome

The Jews under Roman Occupation The Jewish religion tolerated Religio licita (legal religion - exemption from pagan sacrifices) Rigidly monotheistic Romans very tolerant Jews = intolerant – only one God, all others are false Nationalistic, even racist at times… Revolts crushed Mattathias Slaying the Apostate

Jewish Diaspora Procurator: roman official over Judea. Sadducees: Jews who wanted to cooperate w/Rome Pharisees: Jews who thought closely following religious law would protect them from Roman influences. Essenes: waiting for the Messiah (anointed one) who would save Israel from oppression and bring kingdom of God to Earth. Zealots: wanted to overthrow Roman rule.

The Fury of Rome Jewish War (66-70 CE) = Revocation of Jewish rights by Nero and raiding of Temple treasury = war! Christians refused to be involved Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by Titus in 70 CE Bar Kochba Revolt ( CE) = Jewish last stand, a failure… The Western Wall,“Wailing Wall,”Jerusalem

The Fury of Rome Banned from Jerusalem = Aeolia Capitolina Formation of Rabbinic Judaism Disappearance of Jewish Christianity The Christians Not initially persecuted, but… Became more and more distinct from Judaism The Western Wall,“Wailing Wall,”Jerusalem

Jesus of Nazareth Jesus was born in Bethlehem sometime around 6 to 4 B.C. He was raised in Nazareth in the province of Galilee. He was a carpenter until about the age 30 when he began preaching. Mosaic of Jesus at Church of San Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy.

The Life and Teaching of Jesus A Growing Movement Apostles-from the Greek word “apostolos” literally “someone sent out.” Twelve men who were close disciples of Jesus. Jesus ignored wealth and status his message appealed to the poor. Sermon on the Mount by Danish painter Carl Heinrich Bloch, 1890.

Jesus Death Many Jews viewed Jesus as the Messiah others see a false teacher. Roman governor Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified.

Jesus Death Apostles believed Jesus resurrected from the dead Jesus came to be called “Christos,” Greek for “savior.” The words Christian and Christianity are derived from that word.

The Cult of Christianity Why persecute them? Seen as a “novelty,”- the Romans were opposed Christians met “secretly” Christians cannibals and incestuous? They obstinately refused to worship the emperor

The Cult of Christianity Persecuted intermittently from the reign of Nero (r CE) until Diocletian (r CE) thereafter granted toleration by Constantine the Great (r )

Early Christians citizens of the Roman Empire could travel freely Large number in Rome when Nero blamed them for the fire Followers spread Christianity: new religion based on the teachings of Jesus. Christian = followers of Christianity was first used in Antioch (a town in S. Turkey).

Christian Persecution Persecution of the Christians Considered enemies of the State. Roman rulers use Christians as scapegoats for hard times. As Pax Romana crumbles, Christians are crucified, burned, and killed in the arena. (martyrs) Causes Christianity to become more organized Christians more committed

Christianity’s Appeal embraces all people gives hope to the powerless appeals to those repelled by extravagance of Roman life offers a personal relationship with God promises eternal life after death

Constantine Accepts Christianity Constantine—Roman emperor battles for control of Rome in A.D Had a vision of a cross—the Christian symbol—and places it on soldiers’ shields. Believed Christian God helped him win the battle and legalizes Christianity. In A.D. 380 the Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity the religion of the empire.

Early Christian Church Priests direct a single church (parish). Bishops supervise numerous churches (diocese) Apostle Peter is considered the first bishop of Rome, therefore, the clergy trace their authority to him. Pope—means father or head(Pontiff) of the Christian Church. Rome becomes the center of the Church. Christ Teaching the Apostles. Ca. 300 AD. Fresco. Height: 15 inches; length: 51 inches. Pontificate: v. talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner. Dogmatic: of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative.

A World Religion A Single Voice Church leaders compile standard Christian beliefs in the New Testament The New Testament is added to the Hebrew Bible (Torah) renamed the Old Testament Anti-Christian Graffiti: "Alexmenos is worshipping his God"