Greco-Roman Religion and Philosophy

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Religion Religion focused more on the preservation of the state, cities, villages, families, etc. This is how one showed they were good citizens – by participating in the state cult and offering sacrifices and prayers for the officials (mainly emperor) Cities had their own patron deity; families as well

Public sacrifices were made on special occasions People were expected to attend, make offerings of various types Families had their own practices throughout the day at meals and other times Activities within the home: offering incense, small gifts, etc. Vows, gifts to local priests of temples, etc.

Greco-Roman religion was polytheistic so it was tolerant of other gods and goddesses; the more the safer. To deny these gods was to deny the society, the empire, and to put the empire and your own city, village and family in danger. Such an attitude was labeled “atheism.”

Philosophical Schools Platonism  Plato  Aristotle Stoicism Cynics Epicureans

Stoicism How to live a meaningful life with the realization of human powerlessness to control what happens in life – fate. Emphasized  Self-sufficiency  Freedom from influence of popular thought about what constitutes virtue, etc.  Apathy – not being influenced by base desires, emotions, etc.

Stoics focused on controlling emotions, passions, anger, etc. Reason can overcome such passions. Left unchecked, passion overcomes virtue. Emphasized doing all things “according to nature” – meaning according to its purpose for existence. For people this meant it is easier to get along with each other than dividing and fighting.

Cynics Founder: Diogenes, contemporary of Plato Freedom from what is conventional, norms – public opinion. Intentionally went against what was acceptable. Sometimes quite obnoxious, even obscene.

Simplicity of life – be dependent on little  Many were homeless Emphasized virtue Happiness in life is dependent on inward virtue. Happiness that is dependent on surrounding circumstances is false and only temporary.

Epicureans The gods are completely uncaring about humans and are unreachable. Epicurus wanted to free people from the fear of gods and death. Focus should be on this life No spirit or soul that survives death

Without the anxiety of a life after death, the focus is on pleasure and enjoyment in this life – avoidance of pain & suffering. The pleasure he taught, though, was not a selfish, evil pleasure. It is a just and prudent pleasure. Overindulgence leads to pain Moderation is the goal of life. The highest pleasure is good friendships.

The Earliest Christians Jews who accepted Jesus as the Messiah Continued many Jewish practices Gradually realized they were not the same as other Jews  Didn’t need to rely on sacrifices of the Temple or the priests – Jesus had replaced all that Struggled with accepting Gentiles believers in Jesus

Those who were Roman citizens struggled  with their relationship to the state  the emperor cult  sense of morality  Life after death  Many other Greco-roman concepts and practices

Jewish attitudes towards the Christians  Jewish leaders viewed them as Jews who left the faith No sacrifices, rejected the Temple, rejected the Law Accepted the imposter Jesus as the Messiah  Tried to force them back to mainline Jewish religion  Also tried to wipe out the new sect of Jesus’ followers