1. Explain how life improved under the Augustan Age or what became known as the Pax Romana. A. B. C.

1. Judaism 2. Christianity 3. Judaism under Roman rule 4. Christianity under Roman rule 5. Christian Organization

Romans practiced polytheism – they believed in many gods and goddesses. They were the same gods and goddesses of the Greeks – however they had different names.

Rome allowed conquered peoples to practice their religions within the empire. During this time – Rome came into contact with two other religions. Both religions were monotheistic – they believed in one god.

In Palestine, the Hebrews, or Jews, had come to believe long before the Roman Empire existed that they had a covenant, or binding agreement, with God. They had accepted God as the ruler of Heaven and Earth. In return, God made the Jews the chosen people on Earth. Jews also believed that a Messiah or Savior would one day save them.

From Moses the Jews had received God’s Ten Commandments (religious and moral laws), which guided their lives. They forbid stealing, lying, cheating, and murder. They also urge people to treat one another with justice, love, and respect.

Roman authorities and Jewish leaders generally lived in peace. But in 70 A.D., Rome crushed a Jewish revolt. Many Jews were forced to leave Israel. The scattering of Jews throughout the world is called the Diaspora

In Palestine, about 2 BCE, a baby was born to a married Jewish couple named Mary and Joseph. This Jewish baby was named Jesus. According to Christian sources called the Gospels, Jesus as a young man studied with Jewish scholars and teachers. When Jesus was about thirty, he began to spread his preach. His message was rooted in the Jewish faith in one God, the God of the Hebrews, or Jews. Jesus also upheld the Ten Commandments as God’s law.

Jesus taught about God’s goodness and mercy. He spoke of a forgiving God. God was the loving father of all people, rich and poor, Jew and non-Jew. Jesus urged repentance, which means to ask for forgiveness of sins. He told Jews, according to the Gospels (Christian Texts), that “no one can come to the Father, except through me.”

Jesus attracted many followers. As Jesus’ following grew, Roman officials worried that he might provoke an uprising. In 33 A.D., Jesus was arrested and sentenced to die by crucifixion, a Roman method of execution.

Jesus’ followers believed that he was the son of God and Savior or Messiah, and that he rose from the dead, or resurrected, three days after his crucifixion. The Apostles were 12 disciples who Jesus chose to receive special training. After the Resurrection, the Apostles traveled widely telling about Jesus and his teachings. Some of the disciples wrote about his life and teachings. Known as the Gospels (Good News in Greek), they can be found in the New Testament of the Bible. Paul, one of the most important early convert (disciple), traveled in the Roman Empire, spreading Jesus’ message. Those who followed Jesus’ teachings became known as Christians, or followers of Christ. Christ comes from the Greek word Christos, or messiah.

Christianity spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire. Thousands emerged by a hundred years of the death of Jesus. Rome became increasingly suspicious. Christians refused to show respect for Roman gods. Also, emperors feared Christians would cause revolts. As a result, thousands of Christians suffered persecution (punishment of a group because of their beliefs) and death. Christians met in secret but continued to spread their faith.

In 312 A.D., on the eve of a battle, the Roman Emperor Constantine dreamed of a cross. In his dream, Constantine understood that if he took the cross as his symbol……he won the battle. After his victory, Constantine converted to Christianity and allowed Christians freedom of worship.

In 380 A.D., Emperor Theodosius declared Christianity the official and only religion of the Roman Empire. Under Roman rule, Christianity spread even more and easily throughout the Mediterranean and northward into Europe.

Other religious practices in Rome continued during the Christian Era. These religions focused on gods and goddesses, and animal and natural spirits. These religions had special holidays and feast days. Christian leaders placed their holidays and feast days on the same days – eventually, people stopped practicing the older religions. Example – Christmas was placed over several original holidays. Roman holiday called Saturnalia which exchanged gifts. Roman god Janus (January) was celebration of new year, had greenery and lights. Northern Pagans with the Winter Solstice of lights, bon fires, Yule logs

Christianity developed over many years and grew stronger through a well-organized system of authority. The highest Christian officials were bishops. Eventually, the bishop of Rome became head of the Church (Christian Religion). He took the name of pope, or father of the Church (Christian Religion). Peter – a disciple, who spread Christianity in the city of Rome and was crucified upside down, became the first Pope. It was the Church that carried the Christian faith into Europe.

1. Judaism 2. Christianity 3. Judaism under Roman rule 4. Christianity under Roman rule 5. Christian Organization

1. Compare and Contrast Judaism and Christianity. 2. According to many historians, Christianity should not have survived and become the world’s largest religion. How did this occur?