Rome and the Rise of Christianity Chapter 1 Section 3

Question What about Christianity appeals to so many people? (Why do so many people believe in it?)

1. The Roman State Romans owned a Mediterranean empire Early Rome was divided into to orders: 1) patricians: ruling class, great land-owners 2) plebians: less wealthy craftsmen, merchants, and small farmers Rome became a Republic -there is no king and certain citizens had the right to vote Only the patriciate could hold office

All male Roman citizens supposed to receive equal treatment under the law Roman citizens chose representatives to their assemblies

2. Roman Law Romans developed a sophisticated law system called the Law of Nations -Similar to American law system (innocent until proven guilty, people allowed to defense before a judge, a judge that looked carefully at evidence)

3. Influence of Roman Empire In first century A.D., Rome became an empire They had grown so large, that a Republic would not work Caesar Augustus created the Roman Empire btwn 14 and 180 A.D. After civil war was a long period of peace called the Pax Romana Rome extended citizenship to all in the empire Educated citizens spoke Latin Latin became the language of trade

4. The Development of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth preached in the Roman empire Said he was trying to fulfill the Jewish religion Jesus stressed the transformation of the inner person He taught to love God above all things Secondly, he taught to love your neighbor as yourself

Some Romans and Jews thought he might try to lead a rebellion against Rome Jesus was crucified After Jesus’ death, his followers said that he had risen from the dead and was the Messiah prophesied about in the Old Testament

At first Romans paid little attention to Xianity Their attitudes changed when Xians would not celebrate Roman holidays and worship Roman gods Romans saw this as treason, punishable by death Nero set fire to Rome and blamed it on the Xians Christianity grew slowly and gained more power

5. Why Was Christianity so Popular? It was a personal religion as opposed to Roman beliefs Offered everyone eternal life Contained elements familiar in many religions, which made it easy to understand Fulfilled the human need to belong Especially attractive to the poor and powerless

Roman and Christian Values Both encouraged virtue Both encouraged duty to the community and the state Christianity began to change in some ways and became Catholicism The Catholic church became an institution that was an avenue between the individual and God Christianity was dangerous because Christians would obey the law as long as it didn’t violate their conscience