1. The rise of Christianity
A new religion called Christianity developed within the Roman Empire and gradually spread throughout the Roman world
Essential Question: How did Christianity arise and spread throughout the Roman world?

2. The rise of Christianity
Christianity – religion based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth
Many of the beliefs and customs Jesus and his followers practice are based in teachings from Judaism
Romans conquer Judea in 63 BCE – allowed Jews to continue practicing their religion as long as they paid tribute and maintained order
There are several branches of Judaism, and not all of the Jews believed they should cooperate with Roman authority
Zealots – armed resistance - rise up against Rome and re-establish the Kingdom of Israel – 2 revolts
Messianic Prophecies – no resistance – wait for the Messiah, a spiritual leader who would restore the kingdom and peace

3. The rise of Christianity
Jesus of Nazareth – born in Bethlehem, near Jerusalem. Studied carpentry and the writings of Jewish prophets
Taught messages of forgiveness and redemption, love, mercy, humility, and charity
Most of our knowledge of Jesus comes from the Gospels – first four books of the New Testament
The New Testament and the Old Testament from the Hebrew Bible make up the Christian Bible

4. The rise of Christianity
Jesus had many followers called disciples. His messages aroused both followers and critics, some of whom feared political uprisings
Jesus was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death. According to his followers he rose from the dead, and then claimed him as the long awaited Jewish Messiah.
12 disciples called Apostles, whom Jesus chose specifically, became missionaries following his death to spread the messages of Jesus

5. The rise of Christianity
One apostle, Paul, was crucial to the spread of Christianity. Having believed that God had chosen him to spread the messages of Christianity and convert non-Jews by establishing churches, changes doctrines, and broadening the religion to attract new followers
Paul’s actions helped to gain followers and distinguish Christianity from Judaism
Two things that helped Christianity to spread were that Christian messages of love and eternal life after death appealed to many people across social classes, and the Roman religious tolerance of other religions

6. The rise of Christianity
As more people converted to Christianity, Roman leaders began to fear it’s influence and would persecute Christians, and create martyrs from the ones they killed
The conversion of the Emperor Constantine increased the spread of Christianity. Constantine converted after seeing an omen, a cross in the sky, that he interpreted as meaning his conversion would result in winning an important battle
Issues the Edict of Milan in 313 CE legalizing Christianity within the Roman Empire

7. The rise of Christianity
The Christian church began as small close-knit groups and became more complex as time passed
The Eucharist is an example of a ceremony honoring the last supper that increased the complexity of the church
As the church grew an administrative structure was developed with bishops to oversee church affairs and a pope who became the figurehead of the church

8. The rise of Christianity
Knowledge Check Point
What branch of Judaism was vocal about overthrowing Roman rule?
What were the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth?
Why did authorities arrest Jesus and sentence him to death?
What do Christians believe happened to Jesus after he died?
How did Christianity spread throughout the Roman world?
How did Constantine help Christianity gain a firm foothold in the Roman Empire?
What was the early Christian church like?
Why was Paul a key figure in the early history and development of Christianity?
What types of officials developed in the early Christian church?

9. ASSIGNMENT
Study the selections on page 192 under “Document Based Investigation, Rome’s Legacy”. After you have read and studied the documents, you will answer the Reading Like a Historian question for Document 1-4. Then you will need to write a one page response explaining Rome’s legacy. You will need to use evidence from these selections and from Chapter 6.