1. Religion in the Roman Empire

2. Greco-Roman Religion Traditional Religion Initially “animistic”
Then anthropomorphic gods
State-run Priesthoods
Pontifex maximus
Vestal Virgins
Priestesses of Vesta
Had to tend civic hearth
Vestal Virgins

3. Greco-Roman Religion
The Pantheon (AD ), Rome

4. Greco-Roman Religion

5. Mithras Slaying the Bull,
Greco-Roman Religion
The Mystery Religions
Popular!
Attractive
Communion with deity
Ethical guidance
Spiritual equality
Eternal life
Examples
Cult of Isis
Mithraism
Mithras Slaying the Bull,
British Museum

6. Greco-Roman Religion 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 1st cent.)

7. Greco-Roman Religion
Questions?

8. Second-Temple Judaism
Persian king allowed Jews to return to Palestine (539 BC)
Constructed second Temple ( BC)

9. Second-Temple Judaism
The Jews Encounter Hellenism
Under Hellenistic Rule ( BC)
Syrian ruler 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)

10. Second-Temple Judaism
Hanukkah!

11. Second-Temple Judaism
Roman Occupation of Palestine
Jews had been ruled by priest-kings
Romans invaded 63 BC  ended Jewish independence
Judaism a religio licita
Romans appreciated antiquity of Jewish religion
Exempt from imperial cult

12. Second-Temple Judaism
The Second Temple (“Herod’s Temple”)

13. Second-Temple Judaism
First-Century Jewish Religion
Diversity
Apocalyptic
MESSIANIC EXPECTATION
Messiah (“Anointed”)
Some Jews longed for the “coming Messiah(s)” to deliver them from Romans
“Messiahs” crushed by Romans

14. Second-Temple Judaism
Jesus of Nazareth (ca. 6 BC – ca. AD 30)
Itinerant rabbi
Preached coming “Kingdom of God”
Criticized religious authorities
Miracle worker?
Twelve apostles, large following
Presented as Messiah in earliest sources

15. Second-Temple Judaism
Possible evidence of Jesus’ intentions: manner of his entry into Jerusalem?

16. Second-Temple Judaism
What Became of Jesus?
Action in Temple
Religious leaders infuriated, fearful
Execution of Jesus
Betrayed by disciple
Condemned by Sanhedrin
Sentenced to death by Pilate  crucifixion
Movement Lived On
Resurrected?
Apostles stole body?

17. Second-Temple Judaism
2013

18. Second-Temple Judaism
The Fate of the Jews
Jewish War (66-70)
Revolt  war!
Crushed by Romans
Jerusalem captured
Temple destroyed
Bar Kochba Revolt (132-35)
Last stand  failure
Jewish state gone

19. Second-Temple Judaism
Questions?

20. Early Christianity The Apostolic Church Under leadership of apostles
Based in Jerusalem
Preached “GOSPEL”
“Good news” about Jesus and “coming Kingdom”
Focused on Jews
Pentecost

21. Early Christianity Paul of Tarsus († ca. 64) Pharisee  Christian
Brought Gospel to “Gentiles”
Three missionary journeys
Epistles

22. Early Christianity The Sacraments Baptism: rite of initiation
Eucharist: sacred meal of bread and wine

23. Early Christianity Persecution of Christians MARTYRS: “witnesses”
Why persecution?
Seen as distinct from Judaism
Refused to worship emperor
“Great Persecution” (early 4th cent.)
Clergy arrested
Christians executed
Churches destroyed
Sacred books burned
Blandina the Martyr (2nd cent.)

24. Early Christianity Constantine the Great (r. 306-337) Initially pagan
Converted to Christianity
Battle of Milvian Bridge (312)
Saw “sign” in sky?
Edict of Milan (313)
Demanded toleration of Christians
First Christian Emperor
Launched Christianization of empire
Lavished wealth upon Church
Church now privileged
Constantine
Labarum

25. Early Christianity
Basilica of St. Peter (324), Rome

26. Early Christianity Heresy: Gnosticism Beliefs Catholic Response
Creation is bad, made by evil god
Salvation through gnosis
Salvation is of soul only, from body and matter
Catholic Response
Creation is good, made by good God
Salvation of body  resurrection

27. Early Christianity
2003
2006

28. Early Christianity Heresy: Arian Controversy
Began in Alexandria, Egypt
Arius and partisans: Jesus Christ is a creature
Bishop and partisans: Jesus Christ is God
Constantine convened COUNCIL OF NICAEA (325)
Christ is of same “essence” as God the Father
Arians condemned
Arians revived, almost defeated “orthodox” cause
Issue concluded definitively at Council of Constantinople (381)
Arianism condemned  Christ is God, also human
TRINITY affirmed

29. Early Christianity The Church Fathers Major Christian thinkers
Jerome (ca )
Monk
Translated much of Bible into Latin “VULGATE”
AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO ( )
Famous convert
Prolific writer
Highly influential theologian
Augustine of Hippo

30. Early Christianity
Questions?

31. Religion in the Roman Empire
How can we describe religion in the Roman Empire?
Comparisons and contrasts between Judaism and Christianity?