1. Christianity & Rome- September 14th

2. Activator
What do you already know about the origins of Christianity?

3. Origins
Judaea:
A.D. 6
covered the lands of the ancient kingdom of Judah
a Roman province
under direction of a procurator
Unrest was common even among factions of Jews

5. Jesus
Description:
a Jew
began to preach in the midst of the conflict

6. Jesus
Teachings:
inner transformation was more important than adhering to laws or rituals
Individuals should follow the Golden Rule and treat others as they would like to be treated
People should love God and love each other, treating all as neighbors

7. Jesus Events: Judaean authorities turned Jesus over to the Romans
feared he might cause people to revolt against Rome
the procurator, Pontius Pilate, ordered Jesus crucified
followers of Jesus believed he overcame death
believed Jesus was the Messiah, the long-expected savior of Israel

8. Jesus
Impact:
virtues that became the basis of medieval Western civilization: humility, charity, and love of others

9. Key Figures
Simon Peter:
a prominent figure in early Christianity

10. Key Figures Simon Peter: Peter and the other disciples taught
Jesus was the Savior and Son of God
Jesus come to Earth to save all people
Jesus’ death had made up for people’s sins and made salvation possible
Individuals had only to accept Christ (“the anointed one”) as their Savior to be saved

11. Key Figures Paul of Tarsus:
followed Jesus’ command to preach the gospel to both Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles)
founded many Christian communities in Asia Minor and along the Aegean Sea

12. Key Figures Impact: word spread that Jesus had overcome death
result: people converted
example: 60 days after Jesus’ crucifixion, Jerusalem alone had ten thousand converts

13. Diffusion Teachings: teachings were passed down orally
some were preserved in writing by Jesus’ disciples and followers
Between A.D. 40 and 100, these writings became the basis of the written Gospels (“the good news”)

14. Diffusion Gospels: tell of Jesus’ life and teachings
form the basis of the New Testament
the second part of the Christian Bible
A.D. 100 Christian churches throughout empire

15. Diffusion View of Christianity in the Beginning:
Christianity seen as harmful to the public order
act of treason = Christians would not worship the Roman gods
believed in one God only and would not worship false gods or the emperors for fear of endangering their salvation

16. Diffusion Nero: Roman persecution of Christians began A.D. 54–68
blamed Christians for the fire that destroyed much of Rome
subjected Christians to cruel deaths

17. Impact Structure: strengthened by Roman persecution
forced it to become organized
control of bishops over Christian communities
the clergy (church leaders) were distinct from the laity (everyday church members)

18. Impact Structure (continued): attracted many followers
more personal than the Roman religion
offered eternal life and salvation
gave people a sense of belonging to a community
appealed to every class and especially the poor and powerless

19. Impact Roman Reformers: Christianity prospered in the fourth century
Constantine:
first Christian emperor
AD 313 Edict of Milan proclaimed official toleration of Christianity
Theodosius the Great:
Rome adopted Christianity as their official religion

20. Activity
Today you will complete the Christianity & Roman Empire Sources Group Assignment.

21. Summarizer
How did Christianity benefit from being part of the Roman Empire?