Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity 1

Christianity -Jews practiced a Monotheistic (one god) religion -Early on in Pax Romana, a new religion, Christianity emerged in a distant corner of the Empire 3

-Many Jews reluctantly lived under Roman rule, however, some wanted a revolt against Rome and believed a messiah would come to lead their people to freedom “Love your neighbor as yourself” Ethical concepts –humility, charity and love toward others

CHRISTIANITY Roman religion wasn’t personal, they worshiped the state/Christianity contained elements of other old religions Christianity filled people’s need to belong, in a group If you believe in Christ, you will have salvation

Jesus -Born in 4 B.C. in Bethlehem -at 30 began preaching to villagers, used parables-short stories with simple moral lessons to communicate his ideas -Roman authorities felt Jesus would lead the Jews in a revolt against their rule 6

Death of Jesus -According to the gospels, Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples, arrested by the Romans, and killed by crucifixion-a person was bound to a cross and left to die -Rumors then spread that Jesus had not died but had risen from death 8

Christianity Spreads -Disciples preach the messages of Christianity throughout the Roman world --Paul played the most influential role in spreading Christianity He spread Christianity throughout the Mediterranean Many Christians became martyrs- or people who suffer or die for their beliefs 9

Early Christian Church -Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in A.D The Edict granted freedom of worship to all citizens of the Roman empire -By the end of the century, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH Became the institution that was an avenue between the individual and God Protestant Reformation Preserved culture and knowledge in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire