1. Development and Spread of Monotheism
Mr. Stikes

2. What is monotheism? Monotheism: belief in one god
Major monotheistic religions today:
Judaism
Christianity
Islam

3. Brief History of Monotheism
First major monotheistic religion:
Zoroastrianism
Remember?

4. Zoroastrianism Zoroaster Priest, worshipped a god named Ahura Mazda
Ahura Mazda is worshipped as the only god
Ahriman is opposite of Ahura Mazda
Followers have a moral choice
To do right or wrong
Right = Supportive of Ahura Mazda
Wrong = Against the wishes of Ahura Mazda
Good deeds are rewarded, bad deeds are punished
People have only themselves to blame for their position in life
Holy book is called the Avesta

5. What happened to Zoroastrianism?
Still practiced in some form in parts of Iran
Has since been replaced by other monotheistic religions based on Judaism
Why?
Lack of expansion?

6. Three Great Monotheistic Religions
Also called Abrahamic Religions
Islam, Christianity and Judaism
All trace their heritage from Abraham.
Figures in common – Abraham (through son Ishmael for Islam, Isaac for Christianity and Judaism), Noah, Adam, Moses

7. Common Characteristics
We will identify 9 common characteristics that are shared by the Abrahamic religions
Monotheism
All three religions are monotheistic
Jews and Muslims sometimes claim the doctrine of the Holy Trinity (adopted by the majority of Christians) constitutes polytheism.

8. Common Characteristics
A prophetic tradition (tradition of prophets)
All three religions recognize figures called "prophets“
Prophet: A person who speaks by divine inspiration or as the interpreter through whom the will of a god is expressed.
The lists of prophets differ, as do the interpretations of the prophetic role.
Semitic origins
Began in the Middle East
Semitic = “Middle East” + Origin = “Beginning”
Judaism and Christianity originate in the Jewish populations, while Islam originated among Arabs respectively.

9. Common Characteristics
A basis in divine revelation rather than, for example, philosophical speculation or custom.
Divine Revelation: God reveals himself to a man, who then teaches others
Divine = “Godly” + Revelation = “to show or reveal”
An ethical orientation (importance of ethics)
Ethics: A theory or a system of moral values
All three religions speak of a choice between good and evil, which is associated with obedience or disobedience to a single God.

10. Common Characteristics
A linear concept of history
Begins with the creation and the concept that God works through history.
Association with the desert
some scholars believe has influenced the development of these religions
vs.

11. Common Characteristics
Acceptance of some of Judaism's religious obligations found in the Bible as a spiritual devotion to the traditions of Abraham and not Moses by Christianity and Islam, including those which have parallel accounts in the Qur'an, such as the stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses.

12. Common Characteristics
Redemption
A belief that includes God redeeming the World and a resurrecting the righteous.

13. Judaism Name of Religion: Judaism
Monotheistic or Polytheistic? Monotheistic
Who is worshipped (Name of god/God)? Yahweh (Hebrew word for God)
Is not generally written down or said aloud

14. Judaism Holy Book/Scriptures: Torah (first five books of the Bible)
How was the religion founded? History began with the creation of man, the first five books of the Bible detail the struggle of the Jews and of the Patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and Moses, who led the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt

15. Judaism “Father” of the religion: Abraham
Major City (why is it important): Jerusalem – Where the temple was, site of Western (Wailing) Wall

16. Judaism Major divisions of the religion:
Orthodox – believe that the Torah is the word of God and unchanging
Conservative – Jewish law is always changing with the times, Torah inspired by God, not dictated by God
Reform – Rejection of ceremonial Jewish law, Jews should pick what they believe – Judaism as a religion not as a race or culture

17. Judaism
Who is a member? Anyone born to a Jewish mother and any convert – once a Jew, always a Jew
How do they pray? 3 times daily, a fourth on the Sabbath and holidays
Where do they worship? Synagogue

18. Judaism What holy days do they recognize?
Weekly – Shabbat - weekly day of rest lasting from shortly before sundown on Friday night to shortly after sundown Saturday night, commemorates God's day of rest after six days of creation. No work allowed on Shabbat.

19. Judaism What holy days do they recognize?
3 Pilgrimage Fesitvals – Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles
High Holy Days – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Other – Hanukkah and Purim

20. Judaism What makes this religion unique?
In many places in the world, to be “Jewish” is to be not just someone who follows the Jewish religion, but also a separate Jewish race and culture. Jewish people have customs that are unique and make them stand out, such as wearing of a Yarmulke, following certain dietary regulations and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

21. Christianity Name of Religion: Christianity
Monotheistic or Polytheistic? Monotheistic
Who is worshipped (Name of god/God)? God

22. Christianity Holy Book/Scriptures: Bible
How was the religion founded? Jesus of Nazareth preached that he was the Jewish Messiah (around 30 A.D.). His followers, called disciples, spread his teachings throughout the Roman world.

23. Christianity “Father” of the religion: Abraham
Major City (why is it important): Jerusalem
Site of Jewish temple
Place of Jesus’ crucifixion

24. Christianity Major divisions of the religion:
Roman Catholic – Recognize the supremacy of the Pope; original branch
Orthodox – split from Catholics over icons
Protestant – split from Catholics over corruption and reform measures

25. Christianity
Who is a member? Varies; generally defined as anyone who claims to be a member
How do they pray? Varies
Where do they worship? Church, Basilica, Temple, Cathedral

26. Christianity What holy days do they recognize?
Weekly – “Sabbath” – From the Jewish tradition. Varies in date, but for most is on Sunday.
Major Seasons – Lent, Advent
Major Holidays – Christmas, Easter

27. Christianity What makes this religion unique?
Variety – understand that Christianity is very fractured. There are many different versions throughout the world. In the United States especially, Christianity is very difficult to define.

28. Islam Name of Religion: Islam
Monotheistic or Polytheistic? Monotheistic
Who is worshipped (Name of god/God)? Allah (Arabic word for God)

29. Islam Holy Book/Scriptures: Qur’an (Koran)
How was the religion founded? Gabriel, an angel, appeared to Muhammad in Mecca around 610 A.D. and provided revelations that became the Qur’an

31. Islam “Father” of the religion: Abraham
Major Cities (why each is important): Mecca -
Site of Muhammad’s revelation, Kaaba
Medina -
Muhammad’s flight (hijra) from Mecca
Jerusalem -
Site where Muhammad went to heaven

32. Islam

33. Islam Major divisions of the religion:
Sunni – believe that central authority could be passed from Muhammad to any learned Muslim
Shia – believe that central authority should be passed to those related to Muhammad (or, later, chosen by Allah)

34. Islam
Who is a member? A person who believes in and consciously follows Islam; called “Muslim”
Generally, this involves following the Five Pillars of Islam:
1. Testimony of faith (Kalima)
2. Prayer (Salat)
3. Almsgiving/Charity (Zakat)
4. Fasting (Sawm)
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)

35. Islam How do they pray? 5 times a day
(pre-dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, evening)
Where do they worship? Mosque

36. Islam What holy days do they recognize?
Weekly – Friday (Jumu’ah) – prayer meeting at noon
Major Seasons – Ramadan, Hajj
Major Holidays – Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Fast Breaking), Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)

37. Islam What makes this religion unique?
The importance of universality of community and family

38. Spread of Judaism
The Hebrew nation – “Israel” – is decentralized at first
Forms first after the Exodus from Egypt
Relies on interaction between 12 tribes
Leaders are chosen when needed, amongst those who seem to be ordained by Yahweh
Gradually a permanent monarchy is developed

39. “Babylonian Captivity” or “The Exile”
Spread of Judaism
Israel eventually splits into two kingdoms
Israel, the 10 northern tribes
Judah, the 2 southern tribes
These are turned into vassal states by the Assyrians (600’s B.C.E.) and conquered by the Babylonians (597 B.C.E.)
The Babylonians deport the Judaic king and many of societies elite (they are sent to Babylon)
The Babylonians destroy Solomon's Temple (1st) *
“Babylonian Captivity” or “The Exile”

40. Spread of Judaism
After the Persian conquest of Babylon, the Jewish exiles are allowed to return and construct the 2nd Temple in 516 B.C.E.
After Alexander the Great’s conquest (332 B.C.E.), the Jewish people become increasingly Hellenized
Hellenized: made like the Greeks *

41. Spread of Judaism
Hellenized Jews begin to move throughout the Eastern Mediterranean
They take Judaism with them
Israel eventually falls under the control of the Romans
Jewish revolt – A.D. 70 – Romans destroy the 2nd Temple *

42. * * “Diaspora” Diaspora: 2 main time periods:
Dispersion of Jewish people from Israel throughout the remainder of the world
2 main time periods:
Babylonian Exile
Roman
Result: Spread Judaic ideas to major cities throughout Europe and the Middle East
Jewish beliefs are known to many * *

43. Diaspora – Hellenistic World
Shows dispersion of Jewish culture through the Hellenistic World

44. Later Diasporas Map to the right Map to the left
Shows expulsion of Jews from areas of Europe
Map to the left
Movement of Jewish populations throughout Europe

45. Jewish Enclaves
Jews from the Diaspora eventually settled in eastern Europe and Asia
The Kingdom of the Khazars, in what is today Russia, converted to Judaism around A.D. 800
This empire lasted until almost A.D. 1000, when it was conquered by the people of Kievan Rus *

46. Khazars
Land of the Khazars

47. Spread of Christianity
Early
Spreads from Israel, thanks to efforts of early followers
Paul – throughout Hellenistic world
Thomas – east to Mesopotamia, Iran and India
Mark – south to Africa
Peter – to Rome *

48. Spread of Christianity
Persecution followed the spread
Martyrs – people who chose to die rather than give up their beliefs
Why?
Monotheism went against accepted norm = polytheism
Urban religion = concentrated in cities
Travel, high concentration, etc. * *

49. Spread of Christianity
Conversion of Rome
Constantine
Battle of Milvian Bridge (28 October 312)
Constantine v. Maxentius, over being Emperor (Augustus) of Western Empire
“By this sign, you will conquer”
Soldiers paint cross on shield?
Protector of Christianity
Edict of Milan, A.D. 313
Religious toleration in Empire
Death-bed convert to Christianity
Convenes Council of Nicea (A.D. 325)
Uniformity in Church (Nicene Creed)
Arianism
In hoc signo vinces * * *

50. Spread of Christianity*
Arianism:
Denied divinity of Jesus
Jesus as less than God
Declared heretical by Council of Nicea
Heresy: an unorthodox belief which is not recognized by the mainstream faction of a religion
Constantine’s Role in Arianism
Christianity as State Religion
Christians had to get along!

51. Spread of Christianity
Conversion of Rome
Theodosius
Makes Christianity the official religion of Roman Empire
27 February 380 *

52. Spread of Christianity
Early Church “Fathers”
Augustine of Hippo (A.D )
North African
Famous Works:
City of God: Contrasts good living with bad living
Confessions: Augustine’s conversion *

53. Spread of Christianity
Early Church “Fathers”
Ambrose of Milan (A.D )
Helps convert Augustine
Jerome (A.D )
Translates Bible into Latin (Vulgate)

54. Spread of Christianity
Organization of Church
Patriarch at Rome eventually assumes title of Pope and claims to be head of all other churches

56. Spread of Islam Muhammad dies in A.D. 632 Expansion under Muhammad
Who is his successor?
Caliph: supreme leader of Islam, chosen as successor to Muhammad
Expansion under Muhammad
Conquers much of Arabian peninsula for Islam

58. Spread of Islam First Four Caliphs “the Rightly Guided Caliphs”
DID YOU KNOW: All four of the Rightly Guided Caliphs were related to Muhammad?
Muhammad married the daughters of Abu Bakr & Umar and both Uthman & Ali were married to a daughter of Muhammad
First Four Caliphs
“the Rightly Guided Caliphs”
Chosen for life, close friends/relatives of Muhammad
Abu Bakr (A.D )
Collects writings which will become the Qur’an
Gained territory in Syria and southern Iraq
Umar ibn Khattab (A.D )
Harsh ruler, gained territory in Iraq and Iran
Uthman ibn Affan (A.D )
Authorized official version of Qur’an, had all others destroyed
Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.D )
Opponent of Uthman, reign marked by revolt amongst supporters of Uthman

59. Spread of Islam Umayyad Dynasty (r. 661-750)
Members of family favored by Uthman
Begins with Muawiya, who rebelled against Ali
Muawiya was Governor of Syria
Moves capital to Damascus, present day Syria
Spreads from Spain to India
Why?
Jihad (Holy war to spread Islam
Weakened Byzantines, Persians & North Africans

60. Umayyad Caliphate at Greatest Extent

61. Spread of Islam Division of Islam under the Umayyads Sunni/Shia split
Shia, in Iraq, only recognized leaders from the family of Ali (leads to persecution under the Umayyads)
Sunni, the majority, recognized any capable leader
Central Question leading to the split:
Was the Caliph a spiritual leader or a political leader?

62. Spread of Islam Division of Islam under the Umayyads Other divisions
Leads to rise of Sufi Islam, or Sufism
Inward, mystical practice of Islam
Development caused by “worldliness” of the Umayyads
Use prayer, meditation, fasting and spiritual writing to connect directly with God

63. Spread of Islam Fall of the Umayyads
Discontent, especially among the Shia and non-Arab Muslim populations
Why? Emphasis on single Muslim culture
Revolt, from A.D
Overthrows Umayyad dynasty, makes Abu’l-’ Abbas the new Caliph, first of the Abbasid dynasty

64. Spread of Islam Abbasid Dynasty (A.D. 750-1258)
Move capital to new city of Baghdad
Emphasized diversity instead of insisting on everyone accepting Semitic Arab culture
Gradual decline of Muslim state

65. Spread of Islam Culture Language: Arabic Family:
The Umayyads forced all conquered peoples to use Arabic
The Qur’an is read in Arabic
Family:
Limited polygamy allowed – Men could have up to four wives if all were treated equally

66. Spread of Islam Culture Status of women Education
Allowed to own property & divorce her husband
Influential in government and arts
Education
Boys entered school at age 7
Free for the poor, those who could afford it had to pay
Madrassa – theological school, for higher education

67. Spread of Islam Trade Empire sits between Europe, Africa and Asia
Main goods/routes:
EUROPE
CHINA
Buyers bring goods to Europe through Italy
Silk
UMAYYADS / ABBASIDS
Locally made: Spices, Textiles, Glass, Carpets
SOUTHEAST ASIA
INDIA
AFRICA
Spices
Rubies
Gold, Ivory, Slaves

68. Spread of Islam Agriculture Farming Methods Variety of crops
Wheat
Rice
Beans
Cucumbers
Celery
Mint
Almonds
Blackberries
Melons
Apricots
Figs
Olives
Cherries
Apples
Pears
Bananas
Flowers
Farming Methods
Crop Rotation
Irrigation

69. Spread of Islam Advancements Literature Astronomy and Geography
Translation of many texts
Qur’an
One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights): Sinbad the Sailer, Ali Baba and the Forty Theives
Kalila and Dimma: animal fables that present moral lessons
Libraries: Vast numbers; at Cordoba, Spain (over 500,000 books)
Astronomy and Geography
Improved astrolabe
First accurate maps of Eastern hemisphere
Ibn Battuta (A.D ): famous writer, wrote about his travels

70. Spread of Islam Advancements Mathematics Chemistry and Medicine
Adopted Gupta place value system and zero
Invented algebra, developed trigonometry
Expressed equations to define curves and lines
Chemistry and Medicine
Develop alchemy (lead into gold?)
Founded optics (study of light & sight)
al-Razi (A.D ): classified objects as animal, mineral or vegetable
Ibn Sina (A.D. 900’s): Canon of Medicine, summarized medical knowledge at the time