1. Ch. 1.3: Rome and the Rise of Christianity
509BCE – 476CE

2. I. The Roman State
While Greece is in decline, Rome is developing power
Began as a monarchy, but by 509BCE overthrown by the aristocracy, who created a republic (power is held by citizens who elect leaders to make decisions – representative democracy)
2 Groups competed for power:
Patricians: aristocratic landowners, held the most power
Plebeians: farmers, artisans, merchants; sought (and eventually gained) power
Senators
Patricians
Military Tunics
Plebs

3. A. Roman Government Roman gov. set up w/ separate branches
Executive: 2 consuls, chosen annually, headed army and ran gov.
Legislative: Senate and 2 assemblies
Senate made up of 300 landowners
Made foreign policy, economic policy and advised consuls
Assemblies – Council of Plebs, created 471BCE to protect plebeians
Tribunes were elected by & protected the rights of the plebs.
Senators were chosen for life. They protected the Treasury & made laws.

4. B. Roman Law Twelve Tables, 451BCE: First written code of laws
At first, civil laws only applied to Roman citizens, but as Rome expanded and brought conquered people under its rule had to create a universal system of laws, Law of Nations
Based on reason and justice, applied to all peoples, protect citizens and property
Principles:
all citizens have equal protection under the law
Innocent until proven guilty
The burden of proof rests w/ the accuser
Unfair laws repealed
The Twelve Tables were hung in the Roman Forum.

5. C. Code of Justinian
By 528CE, Emperor Justinian compiled all laws throughout the Empire into 4 books:
The Code (500 laws)
The Digest (legal opinions)
The Novellae (new laws added after 534CE)
The Institutes (law textbook)
Created a government of laws, not of men

6. Justinian I & Empress Theodora Byzantine Rulers, 527-565CE

7. Mosaic, San Vitale Cathedral, Ravenna, Italy, ca. 547.
Shield of Constantine; Justinian surrounded by 12 (likeness to apostles?) 6 officials and 6 soldiers
Theodora holding chalice, surrounded by retinue of ladies

8. II. The Influence of the Roman Empire
Roman republic lasted 5 centuries, but by 1st Century became an Empire
Expansion of empire too large for a republic to control
Augustus (formerly Caesar Octavian) began the Roman Empire in 27BCE
Pax Romana, period of peace and prosperity beginning under Augustus & lasting from CE.
Caeser conquers Gaul, Egypt, proclaims Cleopatra wife in 47BC, killed 44BC
War between Octavius and Mark Antony
Augustus, 1st C., Roman marble copy of bronze statue, Vatican Museum.

9. Roman language, law, architecture, and engineering spread throughout Empire
Roman Empire ca. 116CE at its largest extent

10. Roman Architecture: The Colosseum, 72 – 80CE

11. III. The Development of Christianity
The birth & expansion of Christianity occurred in the Roman Empire.
Empire spread to Judaea (Palestine) by 6CE
Jesus (ca. 6BCE-29CE), a Jewish prophet, preached simple message & told followers he did not want to destroy traditional religion
Transformation of inner person most important, not strict following of laws
Taught to love God and one another
Ethical ideas: humility, charity, brotherly love
Supper at Emmaus, Caravaggio 1601, The National Gallery, London.

12. Romans believed he was a potential revolutionary
Conservatives believed he was undermining respect for traditional Judaism
Romans believed he was a potential revolutionary
Given up by opponents to Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator, who ordered death by crucifixion
Loyal followers spread story of his resurrection and proclaimed him the Messiah
Pilate, Giotto, 1305, fresco, Arena Chapel, Padua.
Flagellation, Caravaggio, 1607, Naples.

13. The Passion in Western Art
Entry into Jerusalem, Duccio, 1311, panel, Siena (Early Renaissance).
Christ Washing the Disciples Feet, Tintoretto, 1547, Oil, Prado Museum, Madrid (Renaissance).
The Denial of Peter, Rembrandt, 1660, Oil, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. (Baroque)
The Taking of Christ, Caravaggio, 1602, Oil, National Gallery, Dublin (Baroque).
The Last Supper, Dali, 1955, Oil, National Gallery, Washington, D.C. (Surrealism)

14. Christ Before Pilate, Pontormo, 1525, fresco, Florence.
The Flagellation, della Francesca, 1460, tempera, Urbino.
Deposition, Van der Weyden, 1440, Prado Museum, Madrid.
Christ Carrying the Cross, El Greco, 1580, the Met, New York.
Pieta, Michelangelo, 1499, marble sculpture, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.

15. Entombment, Raphael, 1507, Galleria Borghese, Rome.
Lamentation, Giotto, 1305, Arena Chapel, Padua.
Resurrection, Bellini, 1479, Berlin.
Ascension of Christ, Perugino, 1498, Lyon.
The Incredulity of St. Thomas, Caravaggio, 1602, Potsdam.

16. B. Christian Persecution & Final Triumph
Early Christianity viewed as small sect w/in Judaism
Christians persecuted under Emperor Nero (54-68CE) after the “great Roman fire” of 64CE
Refused to honor Roman gods & emperor
Grew slowly anyway & spread widely by 3rd Century
Crucifixion of St. Peter, Caravaggio, 1600, Sta. Maria del Popolo, Rome.

17. C. Spread of Christianity
Personal faith open to all
All social classes welcome: women, slaves, rich, poor had “spiritual equality”
Promise of salvation
Familiar & easy to understand (Christ was human)
Formation of communities, sense of belonging

18. Throughout Middle Ages, Roman Catholic Church dominated both religious
313CE Constantine became 1st Christian emperor & proclaimed Edict of Milan, official tolerance of Christianity
Under Theodosius the Great ( CE), Christianity became official religion of the Roman Empire, all others illegal
Throughout Middle Ages, Roman Catholic Church dominated both religious
& political life
St. Ambrose forbids Theodosius from Entering the Church, Van Dyck, 1619, National Gallery, London.

19. The Pantheon, 125 – 28CE

20. Arch of Constantine, 312-315CE