Ancient Rome The Rise of Christianity

Ancient Rome The Rise of Christianity

• 11/30 Focus: – A new religion called Christianity developed within the Roman Empire and gradually spread throughout the Roman world • Do Now: – Identify one characteristic of the Pax Romana

Hebrews • Nomadic tribe that lived in the Fertile Crescent • Spent a period time enslaved in Egypt – Exodus: Moses leads the Jewish people out of slavery into the land of Canaan • Establish the kingdom of Israel with Jerusalem as the capital • Belief systems evolve into Judaism

Judaism • Monotheistic religion – Belief in one God – all knowing, all powerful, and omnipresent God

Sacred Texts of Judaism • Torah – Contain the beliefs and laws of Judaism – Found in the Old Testament of the Bible • 10 Commandments – Laws which tell people how they should behave towards each other and God

Monotheistic The Old Testament of The Bible God choose Hebrews as his people Judaism Prophets teach about moral standards Torah and Talmud contain Jewish Laws and beliefs 10 commandments given to the Hebrews by God through Moses

Christianity • Based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth • Born in the kingdom of Judea – Part of Israel – Controlled by Rome • Studied Judaism as a youth – Jewish prophets had been predicting the coming of the Messiah • A savior sent by God

The Teachings of Jesus • Jesus began to travel through Judea: – teaches new beliefs • mercy and sympathy for the poor and helpless • Brotherhood and equality for all people • People should seek forgiveness from God for their sins • Following his teachings would bring salvation and eternal life – says he was the son of God – Followers believed he was the Messiah • Messiah means savior sent by God

Death of Jesus • Authorities believed the teachings of Jesus and his growing popularity would cause political uprisings • Jesus is arrested by the Romans and executed by crucifixion – Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven

Sacred Texts • The Christian Bible – Old testament • Hebrew Scriptures – New Testament • Teachings of Jesus (Gospels) • Letters from early Christians explaining the teachings of Jesus

Salvation and eternal life to those who follow the teachings of Jesus God gave Moses the 10 Commandments Monotheistic Christianity Mercy and sympathy for the poor, helpless; equality of people before God; forgiveness Jesus son of God and Messiah Bible (Old and New Testament)

Spread of Christianity • Followers of Jesus worked to spread his teachings after his death • Paul of Tarsus – Converted to Christianity after opposing it as a young man – Worked to spread Christian teachings through the Roman Empire • message of love and better life after death attracted the poor and oppressed

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Persecution • Romans saw the spread of Christianity as a threat to Rome • Began passing anti. Christian laws and persecution of Christians – Martyrs • People who die for their faith and inspire others to believe • Christian church continued to spread despite persecutions

Roman Approval • Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity – The Edict of Milan 313 AD • Allowed freedom of worship in the Roman Empire • Religious Toleration • Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity the official of the Roman Empire

Closure • Explain the difference between Polytheism and monotheism. • Identify the role Paul played in the establishment of the early Christian church.