The Historical Background of Christianity

The Jewish Heritage Abraham and Isaac Israel Israel –AKA “the Hebrews” –First recorded national history –Founders of “Western religious tradition” –Origins: the patriarchs (ca BC)

The Jewish Heritage The Exodus and Sinai (ca BC) The Exodus and Sinai (ca BC) –Israelites oppressed in Egypt  slave labor –Moses led Israelites out of Egypt  Promised Land –Ten Commandments, the Torah given Moses and the Ten Commandments

The Jewish Heritage

The Jewish Heritage 2014

Hebrew Religion Hebrew Religion –Monotheistic –YHWH –Cult  Tabernacle, sacred furniture  Altars  Male priesthood  Holy days

The Jewish Heritage 1981

The Jewish Heritage United Monarchy in Israel (ca BC) United Monarchy in Israel (ca BC) –Hebrew Kingship  King not divine  YHWH’s servant, vassal  Bound by Law –David (r BC)  Shepherd, mercenary  Expansion, conquest –Jerusalem  Musician –Solomon (r BC)  Temple  Israel at its zenith

The Jewish Heritage Solomon’s Temple, Jerusalem (ca. 965 – 928 BC)

The Jewish Heritage Divided Kingdom ( BC) Divided Kingdom ( BC) –Had been ruled by kings in Judah –Kingdom of Israel  Idol worship  Conquered by Assyria (722 BC) –Kingdom of Judah  Monotheism, but “relapsed” into polytheism  Conquered by Neo- Babylon ( BC)

The Jewish Heritage King Cyrus the Great (r BC) Return from Exile Return from Exile –Process began 539 BC –Jews permitted to return to homeland, rebuild Temple –Temple under construction ( BC)  “Second-temple Judaism”

The Jewish Heritage The Jews Encounter Hellenism The Jews Encounter Hellenism –Under Hellenistic Rule ( BC)  Antiochus Epiphanes attacked Jerusalem, built fortress  Ordered Jews to abandon religious practices  “Abomination of Desolation” –The Maccabean Revolt ( BC)  Jews revolted under Judas Maccabeus ( BC)  Guerrilla warfare  Jewish victory, independence  Rededication of Temple (164 BC)

The Jewish Heritage Hanukkah!

The Jewish Heritage King Herod the Great Roman Occupation of Palestine Roman Occupation of Palestine –Jews had been ruled by priest-kings –Romans invaded 63 BC  end of independence –“Client-kings” installed  Herod the Great (r. 37 BC - 4 AD)

The Jewish Heritage The Second Temple (“Herod’s Temple”)

Questions? Questions? The Jewish Heritage

Greco-Roman Religion Augustus Caesar The Roman Empire The Roman Empire –Augustus Caesar (r. 29 BC- 14 AD)  Victory (31 BC)  master of the Roman world  Ruled as constitutional monarch with Senate –Brought stability, reform, and peace (Pax romana) –Succeeded by Julio- Claudian emperors

Greco-Roman Religion The Vestal Virgins Traditional Religion Traditional Religion –Polytheistic –Roman pantheon  religion of State –Numerous priesthoods, famous shrines

Greco-Roman Religion The Pantheon ( AD), Rome

Greco-Roman Religion

Neo-Platonism Neo-Platonism –“Intellectual mysticism” –Derived from Plato ( BC)  Theory of Forms  Dualism, immortality of soul –Teachings  All reality emanates from “the One”  The One is immaterial, impersonal, eternal  Lowest level is matter  Through contemplation  ecstatic union with the One

Greco-Roman Religion The Mystery Religions The Mystery Religions –Musterion = “secret” –Devotees “initiated” into mysteries, not “born into” them –Attractive!  Communion, connection with particular deity  Ethical guidance  Peace in this life  Spiritual equality among initiates  Eternal afterlife in union with the cult deity

Greco-Roman Religion The Cult of Isis The Cult of Isis –Egyptian goddess  refashioned for Greco- Roman world –Symbolic of all female deities –Cult of afterlife and “suffering mother” –Popular among women

Greco-Roman Religion Mithraism Mithraism –Mithras: Persian god of light and truth –Blood of sacred slain bull is “source of life” –Sacramental meal: bread and water –Popular among Roman soldiers Mithras Slaying the Bull, British Museum

Greco-Roman Religion S. Clemente, RomeMithraeum, beneath S. Clemente

Greco-Roman Religion 2011

Greco-Roman Religion Other Themes Other Themes –Magic  Goal: manipulate “the divine”  “Occult” –Astrology

Greco-Roman Religion Emperor Worship Emperor Worship –Some emperors deified after death –Imperial cult  Offer incense before an image of the emperor –Test of loyalty to the State  Foundations during reign of Augustus Cult statue of Augustus (early 1 st cent.)

Greco-Roman Religion Questions? Questions?

Historical Background of Christianity How can we compare/contrast Judaism and Greco-Roman religion? How can we compare/contrast Judaism and Greco-Roman religion?