1. Religion in the Roman Empire

2. Religion in the Empire Early Roman religion:Early Roman religion: PolytheisticPolytheistic Heavily influenced by ancient GreeksHeavily influenced by ancient Greeks Linked closely to governmentLinked closely to government

3. Pantheon:Pantheon: Temple to all Roman gods and goddessesTemple to all Roman gods and goddesses

4. Religion in the Empire Primary Roman Gods & Goddesses:Primary Roman Gods & Goddesses: Jupiter – king of the godsJupiter – king of the gods Juno – queen of the gods; goddess of marriageJuno – queen of the gods; goddess of marriage Minerva – goddess of wisdom and of arts & craftsMinerva – goddess of wisdom and of arts & crafts

7. The Emergence of Christianity

8. By 63 BC Roman power had spread to Judea, home of the JewishBy 63 BC Roman power had spread to Judea, home of the Jewish At this point Judea became part of the Roman empireAt this point Judea became part of the Roman empire The Beginnings

9. According to Biblical tradition, God had promised that a savior known as the Messiah would arrive & restore the kingdom of the JewsAccording to Biblical tradition, God had promised that a savior known as the Messiah would arrive & restore the kingdom of the Jews The Beginnings

10. Jesus was born sometime between 6 & 4 BC; raised in the village of NazarethJesus was born sometime between 6 & 4 BC; raised in the village of Nazareth Taught that people must love God, their neighbors, their enemies & themselvesTaught that people must love God, their neighbors, their enemies & themselves

11. The Beginnings “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth…”“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth…” THREATENING??THREATENING?? WHY??WHY??

12. The Beginnings In AD 29 Jesus visited JerusalemIn AD 29 Jesus visited Jerusalem How did the people receive Jesus?How did the people receive Jesus? Enthusiastic crowds greeted him as the Messiah…Enthusiastic crowds greeted him as the Messiah…

13. The Beginnings How did the rulers receive Jesus?How did the rulers receive Jesus? Jewish leaders denied that Jesus was the MessiahJewish leaders denied that Jesus was the Messiah Roman governor, Pontius Pilot, accused Jesus of defying Roman authority & sentenced him to deathRoman governor, Pontius Pilot, accused Jesus of defying Roman authority & sentenced him to death

14. In a Nutshell…

15. The Basics Founder: Jesus Christ, son of GodFounder: Jesus Christ, son of God Sacred Text: BibleSacred Text: Bible Symbols: Cross, Fish, DoveSymbols: Cross, Fish, Dove Leaders: Priests, ministers, monks, nuns, etc.Leaders: Priests, ministers, monks, nuns, etc.

16. The Basics Three Major Groups:Three Major Groups: Roman CatholicismRoman Catholicism ProtestantismProtestantism Eastern OrthodoxEastern Orthodox

17. The Basics ONE God; watches over & cares for his peopleONE God; watches over & cares for his people Jesus Christ died to save humanity from sinJesus Christ died to save humanity from sin Eternal life after deathEternal life after death

18. The Spread of Christianity

19. Christianity first appealed to the poorChristianity first appealed to the poor Offered salvation & provided hope for a better lifeOffered salvation & provided hope for a better life Emphasized equalityEmphasized equality Embraced ALL peopleEmbraced ALL people Spread of Christianity

20. Paul’s Missionary Journey to Rome

21. Roman Leaders & Christianity

22. Roman Leaders DID NOT like ChristianityRoman Leaders DID NOT like Christianity TWO BIG REASONS… WHY??TWO BIG REASONS… WHY?? Roman Leaders

23. What happened to early Christians?What happened to early Christians? PERSECUTED & PUT ON TRIALPERSECUTED & PUT ON TRIAL If one was found guilty of following Christian beliefs he/she had 2 choices…If one was found guilty of following Christian beliefs he/she had 2 choices… Early Christians

24. Choice #1:Choice #1: Deny beliefs & liveDeny beliefs & live Choice #2:Choice #2: Refuse to deny beliefs & be put to deathRefuse to deny beliefs & be put to death

25. Persecution of Christians ended in AD 313 when Emperor Constantine granted the freedom of worship & religion to ChristiansPersecution of Christians ended in AD 313 when Emperor Constantine granted the freedom of worship & religion to Christians Early Christians

26. Became the official religion of the Roman Empire in AD 392Became the official religion of the Roman Empire in AD 392 Early Christians