1. DO NOW: What is this picture and what does it mean? Vocabulary Quiz Thursday HOMEWORK

2. Vocabulary Quiz

3. Polytheism vs. Monotheism Polytheism: Belief in MANY gods EX: Greek gods (Zeus, Aphrodite, Athena) The word comes from the Greek words poly+theoi, literally "many gods" gods have individual skills, needs, desires and histories Monotheism: Belief in ONE god One of the first monotheistic religions was Judaism, followed by Christianity, and then Islam

4. The Birth of Judaism Major religious principle: belief that there is a single God, who created the universe and continues to be involved in it. According to traditional Jewish belief, the God who created the world established a covenant with the Jewish people, and revealed his laws and commandments to them in the form of the Torah. A man who will be chosen by God to put an end to all evil in the world and usher in the world to come (Messiah/Savior) God will reward the good and punish the wicked

5. The Birth of Christianity  Began as a result of Jesus Christ, a Jewish teacher  Some Jewish followers believed Jesus was the Savior their faith promised; not all agreed  Those who saw Jesus as the Messiah re-named themselves Christians

6. The Roman Empire & Christianity  Christianity was one of many religions throughout the Roman Empire  The Romans allowed many different religions and customs as long as they did not go against the emperor

7. The Roman Empire & Christianity  In 63 BC, the Romans conquered Judaea and while the Romans allowed Judaism to be practiced, the Jews were not happy  The Jews resented foreign rule and believed a savior would come to expel the Romans from their lands

8. The Roman Empire & Christianity  As bitter feelings grew, the Romans issued harsh punishments to the Jews  In 37 BC, the Romans appointed Herod to rule over Judaea and he did so with cruel intentions

9. The Roman Empire & Christianity  While Herod is in power, Jesus is born in Bethlehem  After his death, his disciples taught his stories and teachings  It is believed that the gospels are created from these and written by Luke, Matthew, Mark, and John

10. JudaismChristianityIslam People Known As Number of Followers Religious Text Clergy House of Worship Day of Worship Theism (Poly/Mono) Views on Jesus

11. JudaismChristianityIslam People Known AsJewsChristiansMuslims Number of Followers14 Million2.2 Billion1.5 Billion Religious TextBibleBible + New TestamentQuran ClergyRabbi Priests, Ministers, Pastors, Bishops Imams House of WorshipTempleChurchMosque Day of WorshipSaturdaySundayFriday Theism (Poly/Mono)Monotheistic Views on JesusRegular ManSon of GodProphet

12. Rome Reacts to Christianity  The fast growing religion alarmed the Romans because Christians refused to worship the gods and the emperor and some even deserted their jobs  In 64 AD, there was another great fire that burned for 9 days and left the city in ruins

13. The Romans Persecute the Christians  Emperor Nero blamed the fire on the Christians  He ordered them arrested and had them either killed, sent to fight in the Colosseum, burned to death or crucified  The Romans persecuted the Christians and treated them in a cruel and unfair way

14. The Growth of Christianity  Despite the hardships, the popularity of Christianity kept rising  It spread a message of peace, love, forgiveness, and a better life of death, which appealed to many people  Jesus’s life and death also attracted followers and by 300 AD, one out of every ten Romans were Christians

15. The Roman Empire and Christianity Questions