1. The Rise of Christianity & Fall Of The Roman Empire SS.A.3.4.4; SS.B.2.4.1; SS.B.1.4.4; SS.A.2.4.5

2. The Roman Religion Caesar Augustus restores Roman religion Caesar Augustus restores Roman religion Religion had declined during the late Republic Religion had declined during the late Republic Greek gods worshiped with Roman names Greek gods worshiped with Roman names Emperors worshiped as gods Emperors worshiped as gods Observation of rituals brought humans into better relationship with gods Observation of rituals brought humans into better relationship with gods Success comes from pleasing the gods Success comes from pleasing the gods Romans tolerant of others’ faiths; worship of native gods allowed in provinces Romans tolerant of others’ faiths; worship of native gods allowed in provinces Religions of the East were considered trendy, became popular among Romans looking for a more emotional religion/faith Religions of the East were considered trendy, became popular among Romans looking for a more emotional religion/faith

3. Jewish Background In Hellenistic times, Jews given much more independence than other cultures In Hellenistic times, Jews given much more independence than other cultures A.D. 6: Roman province of Judaea covers land of the Israelites, ruled by procurator A.D. 6: Roman province of Judaea covers land of the Israelites, ruled by procurator Unrest, difference of opinion about Rome Unrest, difference of opinion about Rome Sadducees: cooperate with Rome Sadducees: cooperate with Rome Pharisees: observe religious law to keep Jewish identity Pharisees: observe religious law to keep Jewish identity Essenes: lived as hermits waiting for God to save them from Roman oppression Essenes: lived as hermits waiting for God to save them from Roman oppression Zelots: called for open revolt against Rome Zelots: called for open revolt against Rome

4. Rise of Christianity A.D. 30: Jewish prophet named Jesus begins preaching in Judaea and Galilee A.D. 30: Jewish prophet named Jesus begins preaching in Judaea and Galilee Jesus’ Mission: complete salvation God promised to the people of Israel “Messiah” Jesus’ Mission: complete salvation God promised to the people of Israel “Messiah” Taught people to look for inner peace by practicing humility, charity and love toward others Taught people to look for inner peace by practicing humility, charity and love toward others Put to death for “revolutionary” ideas Put to death for “revolutionary” ideas Followers proclaimed he rose from the dead three days after his death Followers proclaimed he rose from the dead three days after his death

5. Words of Jesus: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfill them” “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfill them” “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.” “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

6. Spread of Christianity Began as a movement with Judaism Began as a movement with Judaism Prominent leaders include: Prominent leaders include: Simon Peter: Jesus’ friend, Jewish fisherman Simon Peter: Jesus’ friend, Jewish fisherman First leader of the Christian religion First leader of the Christian religion Paul: educated Jewish citizen of Rome, who took the message of Jesus to Gentiles Paul: educated Jewish citizen of Rome, who took the message of Jesus to Gentiles Paul believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and humanity can be saved from sin by accepting the teachings of Jesus Paul believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and humanity can be saved from sin by accepting the teachings of Jesus Paul wrote letters outlining his beliefs Paul wrote letters outlining his beliefs

7. Spreading the Word of Jesus Followers wrote down Jesus’ sayings, and stories from his life Followers wrote down Jesus’ sayings, and stories from his life A.D. 40-100: Christians use these stories, sayings to create Gospels (good news) A.D. 40-100: Christians use these stories, sayings to create Gospels (good news) Together with the letters of Paul and others, they form New Testament Together with the letters of Paul and others, they form New Testament By 100, churches found in most cities in Eastern empire, and some in West By 100, churches found in most cities in Eastern empire, and some in West

8. The Christian Persecution Christian values vs. Greco-Roman values Christian values vs. Greco-Roman values Christians refuse to worship emperors Christians refuse to worship emperors Romans think of this as treason Romans think of this as treason Christians believe in only one God, and worshiping another endangers soul Christians believe in only one God, and worshiping another endangers soul Nero begins persecution (harassing to cause suffering), blaming them for fire Nero begins persecution (harassing to cause suffering), blaming them for fire By the end of the rule of the five “Good Emperors”, persecution mostly stopped By the end of the rule of the five “Good Emperors”, persecution mostly stopped

9. Christian Triumph Even with persecution, Christianity grows Even with persecution, Christianity grows Persecution seen as strengthening faith Persecution seen as strengthening faith Persecution forces organization Persecution forces organization Bishops lead whole communities in prayer Bishops lead whole communities in prayer System of organization gives specific jobs to clergy (church leaders) and laity (followers) System of organization gives specific jobs to clergy (church leaders) and laity (followers) Christianity grew quickly in the 1 st Century A.D., took root in the 2 nd, and spread widely in the 3 rd Century Christianity grew quickly in the 1 st Century A.D., took root in the 2 nd, and spread widely in the 3 rd Century

10. Reasons for Growth Christian message appealed to Romans Christian message appealed to Romans Christianity gives purpose to life Christianity gives purpose to life Roman religion was impersonal and existed for the benefit of the Roman Republic/Empire Roman religion was impersonal and existed for the benefit of the Roman Republic/Empire Christianity=personal, eternal life, salvation Christianity=personal, eternal life, salvation Christianity seemed familiar, shared qualities with other trendy faiths from East Christianity seemed familiar, shared qualities with other trendy faiths from East Christianity offered sense of belonging Christianity offered sense of belonging Churches=close community with common goals, help one another; inclusive (rich/poor) Churches=close community with common goals, help one another; inclusive (rich/poor)

11. Christianity: Religion of the People “You have put on the new self…Here there is no Greek nor Jew, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”~ Paul’s Letter to the Colossians “You have put on the new self…Here there is no Greek nor Jew, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”~ Paul’s Letter to the Colossians Christianity preached of spiritual equality Christianity preached of spiritual equality Rich, poor, free, slave all could be saved Rich, poor, free, slave all could be saved Last persecution was in 4 th Century, under Emperor Diocletian, who admitted the strength of Christianity was too much Last persecution was in 4 th Century, under Emperor Diocletian, who admitted the strength of Christianity was too much

12. Christianity: Official Religion of Rome A.D. 313: Emperor Constantine issues Edict of Milan, giving freedom of religion A.D. 313: Emperor Constantine issues Edict of Milan, giving freedom of religion Constantine becomes first Christian emperor of Rome, baptized at the end of his life Constantine becomes first Christian emperor of Rome, baptized at the end of his life Theodosius the Great establishes Christianity as the official state religion of Rome Theodosius the Great establishes Christianity as the official state religion of Rome

13. Roman Decline The last of the Five Good Emperors—Marcus Aurelius dies in A.D. 180 The last of the Five Good Emperors—Marcus Aurelius dies in A.D. 180 Civil wars follow for next 13 years Civil wars follow for next 13 years Emperor Septimius Severus told his sons: “pay the soldiers, ignore everyone else” Emperor Septimius Severus told his sons: “pay the soldiers, ignore everyone else” Severan emperors known for militaristic rule, and brutality Severan emperors known for militaristic rule, and brutality 235-284: Throne held by whoever can take it by force 235-284: Throne held by whoever can take it by force 22 emperors of this period, most die violently 22 emperors of this period, most die violently Constant invasion also caused problems Constant invasion also caused problems

14. Economic & Military Problems 3 rd Century: Invasions, civil wars and plague almost ruins Roman economy 3 rd Century: Invasions, civil wars and plague almost ruins Roman economy Plague causes less people to trade & soldiers Plague causes less people to trade & soldiers Farm production down, armies ravage them Farm production down, armies ravage them Money loses value Money loses value No money to recruit and pay soldiers No money to recruit and pay soldiers Germans fill in the gap, but have little loyalty to generals, or the empire Germans fill in the gap, but have little loyalty to generals, or the empire

15. Diocletian & Constantine Introduce Late Roman Empire with new governmental, economic and social structures—along with new religion + Introduce Late Roman Empire with new governmental, economic and social structures—along with new religion + Diocletian believes empire too big to rule, divides empire into four parts, each ruled by own ruler—emperor still highest auth. Diocletian believes empire too big to rule, divides empire into four parts, each ruled by own ruler—emperor still highest auth. Bureaucracy expanded, army reorganized Bureaucracy expanded, army reorganized Wage and price controls to help inflation Wage and price controls to help inflation

16. New Empire=New Capital Constantine builds new capital city in east Constantine builds new capital city in east Picks site of old Greek city Byzantium Picks site of old Greek city Byzantium Renames city “Constantinople” (Istanbul) Renames city “Constantinople” (Istanbul) Had excellent strategic position Had excellent strategic position Became his “New Rome” and capital of Eastern Roman Empire, as the empire continues to split between East and West Became his “New Rome” and capital of Eastern Roman Empire, as the empire continues to split between East and West

17. An Empire Divided Cannot Stand Empire splits between East and West Empire splits between East and West Western capital=Rome Western capital=Rome Eastern capital=Constantinople Eastern capital=Constantinople Western empire under attack by Germans Western empire under attack by Germans 350-400: Huns, tribe from Asia, and pressures Germanic Visigoths, moving them into Roman territory, become allies of Rome against Huns—revolt soon after 350-400: Huns, tribe from Asia, and pressures Germanic Visigoths, moving them into Roman territory, become allies of Rome against Huns—revolt soon after 410: Visigoths sack Rome 410: Visigoths sack Rome 455: Vandals sack Rome 455: Vandals sack Rome

18. The Fall of Rome A.D. 476: Emperor Romulus Augustulus is the last emperor of Rome, deposed by German general A.D. 476: Emperor Romulus Augustulus is the last emperor of Rome, deposed by German general Germanic kingdoms replace empire Germanic kingdoms replace empire Eastern, Byzantine Empire survives Eastern, Byzantine Empire survives The Byzantine Empire lasts another 1,000 yrs The Byzantine Empire lasts another 1,000 yrs Many reasons are given for the fall of Rome, none fully explain it. Many reasons are given for the fall of Rome, none fully explain it.

19. Reasons Given For Fall of Empire: Christianity’s embrace of spiritual life Christianity’s embrace of spiritual life Non-Italians eroding Roman values Non-Italians eroding Roman values Lead poisoning causes mental decline Lead poisoning causes mental decline Plague kills 1/10 of population Plague kills 1/10 of population Failure to advance technology b/c of slavery Failure to advance technology b/c of slavery Inadequate political system for large empire Inadequate political system for large empire