1. Religion in the Roman Empire

2. How can we describe religion in the Roman Empire? How can we describe religion in the Roman Empire? Comparisons and contrasts between Judaism and Christianity? Comparisons and contrasts between Judaism and Christianity?

3. Greco-Roman Religion Vestal Virgins  Traditional Religion  Initially “animistic”  Then anthropomorphic gods  State-run priesthoods  Pontifex maximus  Vestal Virgins

4. Greco-Roman Religion The Pantheon (AD 118-125), Rome

5. Greco-Roman Religion

6.  Mystery Religions  Popular!  Attractive  Communion with deity  Ethical guidance  Spiritual equality  Examples  Cult of Isis  Mithraism

7. Greco-Roman Religion  Emperor Worship  Some emperors deified after death  Imperial cult established  Foundations during reign of Augusts Cult statue of Augustus (early 1 st cent.)

8. Greco-Roman Religion  Questions?

9. Second-Temple Judaism  Second-Temple Judaism  Persian king allowed Jews to return to Palestine (539 BC)  Constructed second Temple (536-515 BC)

10. Second-Temple Judaism  Roman Occupation of Palestine  Jews had been ruled by priest-kings, after expulsion of Greeks  Romans invaded 63 BC  ended Jewish independence  Judaism a religio licita

11. Second-Temple Judaism The Second Temple (“Herod’s Temple”)

12. Second-Temple Judaism  First-Century Jewish Religion  Diversity  Apocalyptic  MESSIANIC EXPECTATION  Messiah (“Anointed one”)  Some Jews longed for deliverance from Romans  “Messiahs” crushed

13. Second-Temple Judaism  Jesus of Nazareth (ca. 6 BC – ca. AD 30)  Itinerant rabbi  Twelve apostles  Preached coming “Kingdom of God”  Criticized religious authorities  Miracle worker?  Presented as Messiah in earliest sources

14. Second-Temple Judaism

15.  What Became of Jesus?  Religious leaders infuriated, fearful  Tried, executed  sentenced to death by Pilate  Movement lived on  Resurrected?  Apostles stole body?

16. Second-Temple Judaism

17.  The Fate of the Jews  Jewish War (66-70)  Jerusalem captured, Temple destroyed  Bar Kochba Revolt (132-35)  Jews lost their state

18. Second-Temple Judaism  Questions?

19. Early Christianity  The Apostolic Church  Under leadership of apostles  Based in Jerusalem  Preached “GOSPEL”  Early focus: Jews Pentecost

20. Early Christianity  Paul of Tarsus ( d. ca. 64)  Pharisee  Christian  Brought Gospel to “Gentiles”  Three missionary journeys  Epistles

21. Early Christianity  The Sacraments  BAPTISM: rite of initiation  EUCHARIST: sacred meal of bread and wine

22. Early Christianity  Persecution  MARTYRS: “witnesses”  Why persecution?  Seen as distinct from Judaism  Refused to worship emperor  “Great Persecution” (early 4 th cent.) Blandina the Martyr (2 nd cent.)

23. Early Christianity  Constantine the Great (r. 306-337)  Converted to Christianity (ca. 312)  Edict of Milan (313): toleration for Christians  First Christian emperor  Launched Christianization of empire  Lavished wealth upon Church  Church now privileged Constantine Labarum

24. Early Christianity Basilica of St. Peter (324), Rome

25. Early Christianity  Arian Controversy  Jesus Christ: creature, or God?  COUNCIL OF NICAEA (325  Convened by Constantine  Christ of same “essence” as God the Father  Arians revived, almost defeated “orthodox” cause  Arianism condemned (381)

26. Early Christianity  Augustine of Hippo (354-430)  Church father  Famous convert  Prolific writer  Confessions  City of God  Highly influential theologian Augustine of Hippo

27. Early Christianity  Questions?

28. Religion in the Roman Empire How can we describe religion in the Roman Empire? How can we describe religion in the Roman Empire? Comparisons and contrasts between Judaism and Christianity? Comparisons and contrasts between Judaism and Christianity?