1. Sunday Morning Introduction and Background Class#4
Roman Rule
and the
New Testament

2. I. Background to the Romans
Forming at the time of the Persians
A knack for borrowing and making their own version of another people’s technology, culture, religion
Halfway through the intertestamental period they are becoming a force in the Mediterranean area
They slowly supplant the rule of the Greeks in the eastern Med. but are absorbed into Greek culture

3. II. Extent of Roman Rule

4. III. Organization and Government
Republic – governed by the senate
Transition
Internal strife
Julius Caesar becomes consul
Assassination
More disarray
Julius Caesar

5. Hailed as a new era; Augustus viewed as a “savior”
Empire
Octavian (Augustus) positions himself to be permanent dictator; emperorship develops
Hailed as a new era; Augustus viewed as a “savior”
pax romana – 200 years
Roman rule – years
Octavian (Augustus)

6. Sophisticated, central authority Urban civilization Slavery
Model of Ancient Rome

7. IV. Military Probably the best overall fighting force in history
Volunteer, professional soldiers
Arena for greatest leadership

8. Organization
Legions
Senate members commanders
Backbone of the military – the centurion
Infantry, calvary, specialists
Praetorium guard – elite unit for the emperor
Policing the empire was the main role
Paul’s illustrations

9. V. Citizenship Privileges Voting Limitations on punishment
Right of appeal
Means
Birth to citizens
Manumission from slave to citizen
Favor
Military service
Rome assimilated new peoples into an impressive unity

10. V. Engineering
Stood on the shoulders of earlier civilizations but did it on a grander scale
Civil works were a necessary part of maintaining urban centers, centralized authority, and the order and peace they valued in the empire
Roads, bridges, aqueducts, sewers, dams, canals, and reservoirs

12. Fosse Way
(Lincoln to Bristol)
40-50 AD

20. VI. Observations
Greek culture facilitated the spread of the gospel – language and a tradition of the exchange of ideas
Roman empire facilitated the spread the of the gospel
Advanced, rapid communication (letters)
Efficient transportation (migration of believers, mobility of preachers)
Stable society without chaos

21. Slavery and redepmtion Citizenship in another land
Tutoring of concepts
Slavery and redepmtion
Citizenship in another land
Warfare and soldiering
Lord
Adoption
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

22. Within this mightiest of empires, built upon human strength, accomplishment, and glory, the Messiah emerges and the kingdom of heaven is born