1. The Rise of Christianity
Ch 6 Sec 3

2. *Roman Roads* Roads originally built for military
*"All Roads Lead to Rome”*
Able to deploy legions throughout the empire
Helped in the spread of Christianity
Rome became center of trade
Good Communication
Spread Roman culture

3. *Roman Entertainment
Government provided free games, races, mock battles, and gladiator fights
*Gladiator – professional fighters who fought to death in public arenas
*Colosseum -most famous arena for gladiatorial games & public
spectacles

4. Horrible History-Coliseum

5. JESUS CHRIST Born 6 -4 B.C. in Bethlehem Raised in Nazareth
Occupation – Carpenter / Stonecutter
Teaching-Kingdom of God welcomes all
God is love/Love one another
Preached throughout Roman empire

6. Rise of Christianity
Most of what we know about Jesus comes from the Gospels
*Gospels - First four books of the New Testament
written by the Apostles
*Many of Jesus teachings based on
Judaism
Ten Commandments
Monotheism
*When Christ was preaching in Jerusalem, the lands around were conquered and controlled by the Romans.

7. *JEWISH REBELLIONS* ROMANS THOUGHT EMPERORS TO BE A GOD
JEWS AND CHRISTIANS REFUSED TO WORSHIP EMPEROR
JESUS is the "Exalted One"

8. *DIASPORA-A.D.162 *
“Scattering of seeds”, Jews forced to move from homeland by the Romans.
Go to:
SPAIN
SYRIA
EGYPT

9. PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS
MARTYERS -people willing to sacrifice their lives for a cause

10. Horrible History-Christians vs. Lions

11. EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
APPEALED TO ALL:
WOMEN
MEN
RICH
POOR
NOBLES

12. CONSTANTINE accepts CHRISTIANITY
Saw a cross in the sky before battle & “ by this sign would be given a victory.” They won.
First emperor to accept
CHRISTIANITY in 313 AD
as an ‘official’ religion.
Rome becomes tolerant
of Christianity.