1. Christianity and the Roman Empire
(Ch 13 Sec 3 and 4)

2. Key Terms
Define: crucifixion, messiah, resurrection, martyr, epistle, parable

3. Beginnings of Christianity
The Romans conquered the land of Judea
Jews here resented foreign rule and hoped the messiah would come to save and free them
Romans began to punish the Jews and appointed Herod as ruler
Jesus was born under the rule of Herod, in Bethlehem
His stories are part of the New Testament

4. The Bible Book of worship: Bible
After Jesus dies, his disciples told his stories written into the New Testament
The writers were: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are the 4 Gospel writers

5. Christian Beliefs
Jesus grew up in Nazareth as a carpenter but began to teach
He taught there is only one, true God
His followers believed him to be the Messiah

6. Fears of Christianity
Romans complained that Jesus taught that God was greater than the emperor
Jesus was condemned to death by crucifixion.
He rose from the dead and asked his disciples to spread his teachings.

7. Christianity Spreads
The Greek word for Messiah was Cristos and Jesus became known as Christ.
Christianity spread to Syria and then to Rome
Letters of Paul:
*Saul, a Jew, rejected the Christian message until he had a vision that Jesus spoke to him
*He changed his name to Paul and began to spread Christianity
*Paul wrote epistles which became part of the Bible

9. Rome Burns
Christians were viewed as enemies because they did not worship the Roman gods
Fire started in Rome, leaving the city in ruins
Nero blamed the Christians and they were sent to death, including Paul

10. The Appeal of Christianity
For 250 years, the Romans tormented Christians and blamed them for the decline of the Empire
Christianity continued to spread
The message of a better life after death appealed to many
Christian communities helped the poor and widowed
Emperor Diocletian outlawed Christian services and put many to death
*They became known as martyrs
Section handout
Religions of the World Project