A Brief History of Christianity to the 11 th Century HIST /28/13

Roman Religion Jupiter, Mars, and a temple to Augustus

Mystery Cults Relief of Eleusinian rituals, a priestess of Isis, and Mithratic reliefs

Judaism Monotheism Henotheism? Roman Persecution Messianism Conversion The Septuagant 2 nd century CE glass goblet

Origins of Christianity – Messianism and Mystery Cults Jesus of Nazareth (7-2 BCE – 30-36CE) Reformist Jewish Rabbi Crucifixion Jesus Movement Messiah Trinity

Origins of Christianity - Conversion Apostles – Apostolic Age (ca CE) Saul (Paul) of Tarsus (5-67CE) Reformist Jews vs. Conversion of Gentiles

Origins of Christianity – Differentiation from Judaism Jewish-Roman Wars (66-73, , and ) 70CE – Destruction of the Temple Bar Kokhba Revolt Still problems with Roman authorities…

Early Christianity (before 325CE) Spread of Christianity: dark blue = before 325 light blue = No centralized leadership Multiple sects 5 Patriarchs Rome Constantinople Antioch Jerusalem Alexandria

Tetrarchy and Civil War 293 – Emperor Diocletian divides the empire. Two emperors and two junior emperors Augustus and Caesar – Civil War over complex succession

Imperial Christianity Constantine the Great (r ) 312 – Battle of Milvian Bridge “In this sign, you shall conquer.” 313 – Edict of Milan ends persecution of Christians 324 – Constantine converts, moves capital to Constantinople

Defining Christianity 325 – First Council of Nicea Nicean Creed Christology Arius ( ) and the Arian Controversy 380 – Edict of Thessalonica Nicean Christianity becomes state religion of Roman Empire 451 – Council of Chalcedon Monophysitism vs. dyophysitism

2 Empires – 2 Churches 381 – First Council of Constantinople – Elevates Patriarch of Constantinople Sees of Rome and Constantinople 395 – Western and Eastern (Byzantine) Roman Empires Byzantine Emperor and Patriarch of Constantinople

Western Church 476 – Fall of Western Empire Bishop of Rome (Pope) last potential unifying force Donation of Constantine Dec. 25, 800 – Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne Emperor

The Reality Church relied on secular lords for land, financial support, and security. Secular lords relied on church for political support. In Germany, emperor appointed church officials. “Most knights scrupulously observed the rites of religion. They were, however, little troubled by Christian ethics.”

Monasticism Spiritual athletes Religious professionals removed from the world The Benedictine Rule: – Govern the behavior of monks living in monasteries. – Balance of work and devotion. – Obligations of celibacy, poverty, and obedience to the abbot. – Regular clergy: living apart from society. Benedict of Nursira (ca )