1. D. Describe polytheism in the Greek and Roman world
SSWH3 Examine the political, philosophical, and cultural interaction of Classical Mediterranean societies from 700 BCE/BC to 400 CE/AD
D. Describe polytheism in the Greek and Roman world

2. Pantheon of Gods and Goddesses
Resembled humans both physically and emotionally
Each god and goddess represented an important aspect of Mediterranean life
Love, wisdom, the sea, and war
Greeks and Romans believed that gods and goddesses
Confronted many of same emotions and engaged with each other and humanity in complex and often troublesome ways
These beliefs
Led to the development of a rich mythological literary traditions
Attempts to appease the gods and goddesses led to construction of monumental architecture
Parthenon in Athens
Pantheon in Rome
Development of complex state run rituals that helped justify the power of the government
Roman religion
Was a largely product of cultural diffusion from Greece it did develop some unique attributes
Roman emperors were often deified after death
Emperors added loved ones to pantheon
Emperor Hadrian ordered the deification of his close companion Antonius

3. Parthenon in Athens

5. e. Explain the origins and diffusion of Christianity in the Roman world
Developed in the Jewish community of Roman controlled Palestine
Jesus of Nazareth born to humble Jewish family and became a traveling teacher as an adult
Preached a message of reform that argued that argued charity and compassion were more important than strict obedience to rabbis and Jewish customs
Developed a devoted following that believed he was the Messiah foretold in Hebrew prophecy
Developed into belief that Jesus was Son of God
Popular among some of the common people of Palestine; was a direct threat to the power and influence of traditional Jewish leadership and the Roman state
Pressured by Jewish religious leaders, the Roman governor of Palestine, Pontius Pilate, ordered the arrest and execution of Jesus
After crucifixion
Jesus’ disciples preached of his resurrection from the dead and ascension to Heaven
Proved the divinity of Christ to his followers

6. Only had limited appeal to Jewish community of Palestine but found greater acceptance among the Gentile population of Roman Empire
Oppressed people
Slaves , commoners, and women
In large part due to work of Paul of Tarsus
Among the first to take teachings of Roman heartland
Roman government
Continued to see Christianity as a threat and persecuted Christians
The Community
became increasingly organized thanks to work of disciples like Peter, Jesus’ right hand man, who established first formal centers of worship that would evolve into Roman Catholic Church
313 CE
Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and issued Edict of Milan
Legalized Christianity in the empire
Imperial support helped Christianity grow quickly to become the dominate religion of Europe

8. f. Analyze the factors that led to the collapse of the western roman empire
235 C.E.
Stability of Roman Empire came to an end
Empire entered a period known as Third-century Crisis
From
Roman suffered from a series of weak and short-lived emperors, invasions, economic depression, and social unrest
Emperor Diocletian
Instituted a series of radical reforms including dividing empire in half with two rulers
Effective until 476 CE
476 CE
Western half of empire succumbed to invasion by Germanic tribes (Visigoth)
Left eastern half (known as Byzantine Empire) to carry on Roman traditions