1. Western Civilization University High School 2011-12

2. in modern-day Israel ruled by King Herod from 37 – 4 BCE unpopular for embracing Greek culture Herod was a nasty guy…

3. Jews revolt after Herod’s death  civil war! famine, plague, war  end of the world? Some predicted the coming of a Messiah (savior of Israel)

4. Judea put under control of officials who answered directly to the emperor some officials harsh, unaccepting of Jewish culture (esp. tax collectors!) 2 Jewish responses…

5. Zealots: extremists who wanted Rome out of Judea refused to pay Roman taxes many violent conflicts with Roman army

6. belief that the Messiah is coming soon literal belief; most desperate times? Dead Sea Scrolls  972 texts from Hebrew Bible, Jewish cultures preparing for arrival

7. born roughly 7-2 BCE raised in Galilee difficult to separate truth from fiction

8. primary source (?) of Jesus info: the four Gospels (“good news”) of the New Testament written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John records of Jesus’ teachings, doctrines earliest ones written 75 years after Jesus’ death 2006: Gospel of Judas Iscariot discovered

9. heaven  eternal happiness after death mostly traditional Judaism; claimed to be Messiah not establishing an earthly kingdom, but a spiritual one

10. Jesus was controversial! Some loved him. Some hated him. Some wished he would be more forceful vs. Rome… Pontius Pilate: Roman prefect concerned about violence, chaos condemned Jesus to death hung from a cross to die 3 days later: Resurrection? (Body stolen?) central tenet of Christianity (immortality)

11. Paul of Tarsus: most important figure in turning Christianity from sect/cult to independent religion urged universal Christianity urged Jews to include Gentiles (non-Jews) in the faith

12. Christianity reaches Rome center of Western civilized world (literally & metaphorically) appealed to commoners/poor forgiveness, afterlife, salvation… being a good Christian = spreading God’s word

13. Go over SPQR homework for next week Return papers and things Review for Week 10 Quiz Week 10 Quiz Notes: Augustus’ Successors