1. The Historical Background of Christianity

2. The Jewish Heritage Abraham and Isaac Israel Israel –AKA “the Hebrews” –First recorded national history –Founders of “Western religious tradition” –Origins: the patriarchs (ca. 2000-1500 BC)

3. The Jewish Heritage The Exodus and Sinai (ca. 1300 BC) The Exodus and Sinai (ca. 1300 BC) –Israelites oppressed in Egypt  slave labor –Moses led Israelites out of Egypt  Promised Land –Ten Commandments, the Torah given Moses and the Ten Commandments

4. The Jewish Heritage 1956 1998

5. The Jewish Heritage 2014

6. Hebrew Religion Hebrew Religion –Monotheistic –YHWH –Cult  Tabernacle, sacred furniture  Altars  Male priesthood  Holy days

7. The Jewish Heritage 1981

8. The Jewish Heritage United Monarchy in Israel (ca. 1020-928 BC) United Monarchy in Israel (ca. 1020-928 BC) –Hebrew Kingship  King not divine  YHWH’s servant, vassal  Bound by Law –David (r. 1004-965 BC)  Shepherd, mercenary  Expansion, conquest –Jerusalem  Musician –Solomon (r. 965-928 BC)  Temple  Israel at its zenith

9. The Jewish Heritage Solomon’s Temple, Jerusalem (ca. 965 – 928 BC)

10. The Jewish Heritage Divided Kingdom (928-722 BC) Divided Kingdom (928-722 BC) –Had been ruled by kings in Judah –Kingdom of Israel  Idol worship  Conquered by Assyria (722 BC) –Kingdom of Judah  Monotheism, but “relapsed” into polytheism  Conquered by Neo- Babylon (598-586 BC)

11. The Jewish Heritage King Cyrus the Great (r. 559-530 BC) Return from Exile Return from Exile –Process began 539 BC –Jews permitted to return to homeland, rebuild Temple –Temple under construction (536-515 BC)  “Second-temple Judaism”

12. The Jewish Heritage The Jews Encounter Hellenism The Jews Encounter Hellenism –Under Hellenistic Rule (198-167 BC)  Antiochus Epiphanes attacked Jerusalem, built fortress  Ordered Jews to abandon religious practices  “Abomination of Desolation” –The Maccabean Revolt (167-142 BC)  Jews revolted under Judas Maccabeus (167-142 BC)  Guerrilla warfare  Jewish victory, independence  Rededication of Temple (164 BC)

13. The Jewish Heritage Hanukkah!

14. The Jewish Heritage King Herod the Great Roman Occupation of Palestine Roman Occupation of Palestine –Jews had been ruled by priest-kings –Romans invaded 63 BC  end of independence –“Client-kings” installed  Herod the Great (r. 37 BC - 4 AD)

15. The Jewish Heritage The Second Temple (“Herod’s Temple”)

16. Questions? Questions? The Jewish Heritage

17. Greco-Roman Religion Augustus Caesar The Roman Empire The Roman Empire –Augustus Caesar (r. 29 BC- 14 AD)  Victory (31 BC)  master of the Roman world  Ruled as constitutional monarch with Senate –Brought stability, reform, and peace (Pax romana) –Succeeded by Julio- Claudian emperors

18. Greco-Roman Religion The Vestal Virgins Traditional Religion Traditional Religion –Polytheistic –Roman pantheon  religion of State –Numerous priesthoods, famous shrines

19. Greco-Roman Religion The Pantheon (118-125 AD), Rome

20. Greco-Roman Religion

21. Neo-Platonism Neo-Platonism –“Intellectual mysticism” –Derived from Plato (427-348 BC)  Theory of Forms  Dualism, immortality of soul –Teachings  All reality emanates from “the One”  The One is immaterial, impersonal, eternal  Lowest level is matter  Through contemplation  ecstatic union with the One

22. Greco-Roman Religion The Mystery Religions The Mystery Religions –Musterion = “secret” –Devotees “initiated” into mysteries, not “born into” them –Attractive!  Communion, connection with particular deity  Ethical guidance  Peace in this life  Spiritual equality among initiates  Eternal afterlife in union with the cult deity

23. Greco-Roman Religion The Cult of Isis The Cult of Isis –Egyptian goddess  refashioned for Greco- Roman world –Symbolic of all female deities –Cult of afterlife and “suffering mother” –Popular among women

24. Greco-Roman Religion Mithraism Mithraism –Mithras: Persian god of light and truth –Blood of sacred slain bull is “source of life” –Sacramental meal: bread and water –Popular among Roman soldiers Mithras Slaying the Bull, British Museum

25. Greco-Roman Religion S. Clemente, RomeMithraeum, beneath S. Clemente

26. Greco-Roman Religion 2011

27. Greco-Roman Religion Other Themes Other Themes –Magic  Goal: manipulate “the divine”  “Occult” –Astrology

28. Greco-Roman Religion Emperor Worship Emperor Worship –Some emperors deified after death –Imperial cult  Offer incense before an image of the emperor –Test of loyalty to the State  Foundations during reign of Augustus Cult statue of Augustus (early 1 st cent.)

29. Greco-Roman Religion Questions? Questions?

30. Historical Background of Christianity How can we compare/contrast Judaism and Greco-Roman religion? How can we compare/contrast Judaism and Greco-Roman religion?