1. Chapter 5: Rome and the Rise of Christianity
Section 4—The Development of Christianity

2. The Development of Christianity
The official state religion of the Roman Empire focused on the worship of a number of different gods and goddesses
Jupiter (chief god), Juno (wife of chief god), Minerva (goddess of wisdom), Mars (god of war)
In addition, emperors were often officially made gods by the Roman Senate
Believed proper ritual by state priests brought them into a right relationship with the gods
Mars, god of war

3. The Development of Christianity
A right relationship guaranteed peace and prosperity
Romans believed their success proved that the gods looked with favor on them
Romans were often tolerant to other religions
Even adopted some local gods
Roman conquest of eastern Mediterranean
territories brought in numerous new religions
Cicero: We have overcome all the nations of the world because we have realized that the world is directed and governed by the gods.”
Minerva

4. The Development of Christianity
Many of these new religions were appealing
Offered a more emotional and spiritual experience
Offered life after death which was superior to this life
Roman belief system was quite unemotional and not very rewarding to most Roman citizens
Jupiter statue—warm and soothing?

5. The Development of Christianity
Describe how religion and government were connected in the Roman Empire.
Emperors were often made gods
The Romans believed that the observation of proper ritual guaranteed peace and prosperity
Felt that the success of the Roman Empire was the result of being look at with favor by the gods

6. The Development of Christianity
AD 6: The area of Judaea became a Roman province under the rule of a procurator
Jews were divided into 3 main groups:
Sadducees: favored cooperation with the Romans
Essenes: awaited for a Messiah to save Israel from oppression and bring world peace
Zealots: advocated violent overthrow of the Romans
In AD 66—led a revolt
Was crushed by the Romans four years later and the Jewish temple in Jerusalem was destroyed

7. The Development of Christianity
Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by Roman soldiers in AD 70

8. The Development of Christianity
Name three of the Jewish groups in Judea and explain how they differed.
Sadducees favored cooperation with the Romans
Essenes awaited a Messiah to save Israel from oppression
Zealots advocated violent overthrow of Roman rule

9. The Development of Christianity
Jesus of Nazareth: began his preaching during this time of confusion and conflict
Assured his fellow Jews he would not harm their traditional religion
“Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them”
Jesus said the most important thing was the transformation of the inner person, not to necessarily follow the letter of the law
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

10. The Development of Christianity
Jesus taught that God’s law was to love God and one another
Voiced ethical concepts of humility, charity, and love towards others
This would go on to form the basis for the value system of medieval Western civilization

11. The Development of Christianity
Judaean authorities saw Jesus as a potential revolutionary
They did not want another disastrous revolt against Rome
Therefore, a Jewish court turned him over to Romans
Procurator Pontius Pilate ordered his execution
Crucifixion

12. The Development of Christianity
Jesus’ loyal followers believed he overcame death and returned to life
They believed he was the Messiah
Believed he was the long awaited Savior of Israel
Simon Peter: a prominent figure of early Christianity
he was a fisherman who helped spread the word of Jesus after his death
Became known as Peter

13. The Development of Christianity
Peter and the other disciples taught that Jesus was the Savior, the Son of God, and had come to Earth to save all humans
He also taught that the death of Jesus made up for the sins of all humans
Jesus thus made it possible for salvation
By accepting Jesus as Christ, they could be saved from the penalty of sin

14. The Development of Christianity
Paul of Tarsus: also preached in Jesus’ name
Helped to spread Christianity throughout Asia Minor and along the shores of the Aegean Sea
Within 60 days of word that Jesus escaped death, over 10,000 converts to Christianity
Mostly spread orally, but also written
Paul’s epistles outlined Christian beliefs
These writings became known as the Gospels
Most writings from AD40-100
Paul of Tarsus

15. The Development of Christianity
The Gospels formed the core of the New Testament
At first, Romans paid little attention to Christianity
Thought of as just another sect of Judaism
Romans became more concerned as Christians began to refuse to worship the state gods and emperors
Saw this as an act of treason—punishable by death
Christians thought they would be risking their own salvation by worshipping ‘false gods’

16. The Development of Christianity
Nero: Roman emperor from AD 54-68
He blamed Christians for a fire that destroyed much of Rome
Many Christians were ordered to die cruelly
This persecution actually strengthened Christianity
Forced it to become more organized
Fear allowed only the most committed to follow the faith
"The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer" by Leon Gerome

17. The burning of Rome, Robert Hubert (1733- 1808), Musée André Malraux, Le Havre, France

18. The Development of Christianity
Why did the Roman authorities fear Jesus?
Authorities saw him as a potential revolutionary who might lead Jews into another revolt against Rome.

19. The Development of Christianity
Bishops took more control of church communities
Clergy: took on a larger role in the church
Christianity:
Grew quickly in the first century
Took root in the second century (despite persecution)
Spread very quickly in the third century

20. The Development of Christianity
Why was Christianity able to attract so many followers?
The Christian message
Roman’s state religion was impersonal and existed for the good of Rome
Christianity was persona.>>>offered eternal salvation to individuals
Familiarity
Idea was similar to other religions>>immortality as a result of sacrifice
Fulfilled human need to belong
Christians built communities bound to one another
People could LOVE one another and HELP the poor and the sick
Christianity satisfied the need to belong in a way that the Roman Empire never could provide

21. The Development of Christianity
Christianity attracted all classes
Especially the poor and powerless
Eternal life was promised to all
“Christ is all and is in all” –Paul
Spiritual equality to all was a revolutionary idea

22. The Development of Christianity
Roman emperor Diocletian led the last large Christian persecution during beginning of 4th century
Even he admitted in records that Christianity was too strong to get rid of by force
Constantine: became the first Christian emperor
Edict of Milan (AD 313): Constantine proclaimed official tolerance of Christianity
Theodosius the Great: adopted Christianity as official state religion of Rome

23. The Development of Christianity
Why and how did the Christian church become more organized in the second and third centuries?
Fear of persecution meant that only the most committed individuals would choose to follow Christianity. Bishops began to assume more control over church communities, and the clergy developed distinct functions over the regular church members (laity)

24. The Development of Christianity
Christianity Video—28 mminutes

25. The Development of Christianity

26. The Development of Christianity
Procurator:
New Testament:
In the Roman Empire, an official in charge of a province
Writings by Jesus’ disciples mostly from between AD40—100
Describe the personal accounts of Jesus
Known as the Gospels
*record Jesus’ life and teachings and are the second main part of the Christian Bible

27. The Development of Christianity
Clergy:
Laity:
Church leaders
Regular church members

28. The Development of Christianity
Jesus of Nazareth:
Simon Peter:
Edict of Milan:
Founder of Christianity
Fisherman who became a follower of Jesus
Taught that Jesus came to Earth to save all humans and his death made up for the sins of all humans
Very instrumental in initial spread of Christianity
In AD 313, proclaimed official tolerance of Christianity in the Roman Empire

29. The Development of Christianity
Paul of Tarsus:
Constantine:
Theodosius the Great:
Highly educated Jewish Roman citizen
Followed command of Jesus to preach
Founded many Christian communities in Asia Minor and along Aegean Sea
Became the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity
Emperor who adopted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire

30. The Development of Christianity
Explain why the Romans persecuted the Christians despite their general religious tolerance.
Christians refused to worship state gods and the emperor and this was seen as treason

31. The Development of Christianity
List the ethical concepts voiced by Jesus.
Humility
Charity
Love

32. The Development of Christianity
Explain why Romans began to accept Christianity and why it took so long for it to be accepted by the state.
Romans began to accept it because Christianity was more personal and meaningful than the Roman state religion
It took long to become accepted because rejecting the state gods was seen as treason

33. The Development of Christianity
Fill in the chart below showing characteristics of the Roman State Religion and of Christianity.
Roman State Religion
Christianity
Monotheistic
Polytheistic
Jesus is the Messiah
Emperors were made gods
Rituals bring prosperity
God’s command is to love
Adopted other, local gods
Salvation / eternal life available for all
Worship of other gods imperils salvation