Rome and Christianity

Roman Outline

• Rome-began as a small agricultural city-

state

– Then a republic

– An Empire

– Eventually Dominated the

Mediterranean

The Etruscans

• The Etruscans were Ionian Greeks who migrated to the Italian Peninsula around 1000BCE.

• They most likely founded the city of Rome

• The last Etruscan king was overthrown in 509BCE

Roman Mythology

– Romulus and Remus

– Seven Hills of Rome

Roman Mythology

• Why are we called “The Trojans”?

• The Aneid: Virgil.

– Official Epic of Rome

– Aneas escaped Troy and traveled the Mediterranean searching for a new home for the Trojans

– Settled in Latium fought the people there

– Married the daughter of the king and founded what later became Rome.

Geography• Alps to the north protected invasion from

land

• Sea surrounded the peninsula limited a

naval attack unless by a large armada

World Access• Although Rome was isolated, it was also a

crossroad.

• It had easy access to northern Africa,

Palestine, Greece, and Iberian

Peninsula(Modern day Spain and

Portugal). This meant easy access to the

rest of the world.

Roman Republic• They avoided destructive class struggles

– A republican form of gov’t-voice in gov’t for the wealthy aristocrats “patricians”

– Later a voice for the common Roman citizens “plebeians”

• 2 executives known as “consuls”

• Senate-dominated by aristocrats

• 2 assemblies-one for plebeians and one for patricians

• Tribune-10 men to speak for plebeians

• Dictator-executive decisions in times of a crisis

Roman/Greek Gov’t vs. U.S.

constitution

• Roman republic was much more stable than the Greek democracy. In the Greek direct democracy every citizen was expected to vote on every issue.

• In a republic, you have representatives so you don’t have to vote on every issue.

• This is very similar to our democracy. We have representatives in Congress vote on all the major issues, so it is very much like a Republic.

• Roman Law was also a combination of its own principles with foreign laws.

Civil Laws• Rome developed civil

laws to protect

individual rights called

the:

– Twelve Tables of

Rome-innocent until

proven guilty

– Similar to our

Constitution and Bill of

Rights

TABLE I Procedure: for courts

and trials

TABLE II Trials, continued.

TABLE III Debt

TABLE IV Rights of fathers

(paterfamilias)

over the family

TABLE V Legal guardianship

and inheritance

laws

TABLE VI Acquisition and

possession

TABLE VII Land rights

TABLE VIII Torts and delicts (Laws

of injury)

TABLE IX Public law

TABLE X Sacred law

TABLE XI Supplement I

TABLE XII Supplement II

• Ladder of

Political

Advancement.

Roman Expansion

• How were they able to control such a vast

empire?

– As they conquered people outside of “Italy”, they

allowed them to trade with the republic

– Were able to govern their own affairs-if they paid

taxes and remained loyal militarily speaking to Rome.

– Were also encouraged to intermarry with Romans

– Were even able to gain Roman citizenship

– Adopted the idea of standardized coinage: How would

this help?

Roman expansion

• After defeating the Greeks, Gauls, Carthaginians, Macedonians, and Spaniards- they built an extensive road network and aqueducts to maintain their vast empire.

• concrete

Silk Roads

• Brought long distance trade, cultures, religions, ideas, disease and invading tribes in constant contact.

• Most dangerous spot along silk roads was Taklamakan desert. “He who enters does not come back out!”

• The stage is now set for new developments and massive change!

Silk Roads

• They linked the extreme ends of the Eurasian landmasses and these civilizations:

• From Han capital Chang’an to Mediterranean port Antioch– Han empire- China

• Sinicization-spread of the Chinese culture

– Parthian empire- Persia and Mesopotamia

– Romans- Mediterranean world

– Kushan empire- northern India

• Also had water routes of a series of ports which connected Asia with Africa and the South China Sea with the Red Sea.

• Most prominent religion on these routes: Buddhism

Rome and its Neighbors

The Punic Wars: Rome vs. Carthage

• Battle for control of Mediterranean Trade and Sicily

• 1st Punic War: Hamilcar Barca vs. Rome

Punic Wars: Rome vs. Carthage

• 2nd 219-202 BCE: Hannibal

– Greatest general in history? Father of Strategy

– Invaded Rome through Europe—Elephants over the Alps

– Battle of Canae: Worst defeat in Roman History. 80,000 dead.

– Scipio Africanus invaded Carthage by sea. Hannibal had to go home. Defeated at the Battle of Zama.

• 3rd: Carthage Defeated again. Salt plowed into the fields

Punic Wars, 3 phases

Gladiator Games

Spartacus & Slave Rebellion

• 73-71 BCE

• Born a free man, served in the Roman Army, but deserted

• Caught and sold into slavery

• He escapes and his legend grew as he defeated smaller Roman legions

• He eventually has an estimated 50,000-100,000 slave army

The First Triumvirate: Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar

• Pompey and Crassus were given their armies to capture the slaves

• Crassus eventually defeats them, although Spartacus’s body was never found

• Crassus crucified the 6,000 remaining slaves along the Apian Way

Crassus

• Richest man in Roman History

• Wanted to be known for his military victories

• Financial supporter of Julius Caesar

• His defeat at the Battle of Carrhae vs. Persian

Pompey the Great

• Wealthy Political and Military

Leader

• Married Julius Caesar’s Daughter

• Crassus is defeated, it’s now just Pompey and Julius Caesar. She dies and paranoia sets in on Roman control.

• Pompey is in Rome and Caesar is in Gaul with his army

• The Senate will back Pompey

Julius Caesar

• Caesar is ordered to disband his army

and give up his province of Gaul. Instead of

giving up, Caesar crossed the Rubicon river

setting off a civil war. After a five year struggle

across many battlefields, Caesar defeated his

enemies and was sole ruler of Rome.

-Pompey fled to Egypt were he was assassinated

-Caesar Declares himself “Dictator for Life”

Julius Caesar & The Empire• General who conquered Egypt, Greece,

and Gaul.

• Crossing the Rubicon

• Used this wealth to promote building and entertainment in Rome. Pleased the public. “Bread and Circuses”

• Seized lands from opponents and gave to his troops.

• Let conquered people gain citizenship

• Named “dictator for life” by the Senate

• His actions frightened the Roman elite class.

• Was murdered in 44BCE.

The Second Triumvirate

• Octavius-Julius Caesar adopted him

as a nephew

• Marc Antony-General and one of the

closest friends to Julius Caesar

• Lepidus-politician/governor of Africa

• Octavius took the name of Augustus

Caesar “The Majestic One” and became

emperor.

Antony and Cleopatra Defeated

• Antony flees to Egypt

• By Augustus Caesar 31BCE

• They both commit suicide

• August is now Supreme

• He controls

Egypt’s grain

“The End of the Republic” Imperial

Expansion & Domestic Problems

• Land distribution issues- Lands conquered by Rome often fell into the hands of the wealthy families. Enormous plantations started using conquered slave labor which produced products much cheaper than smaller landowners.

• This displaced many small farmers into urban areas became very over crowded.

• There were not enough jobs, currency became devalued high inflation.

• Political leaders began fighting amongst themselves. Senate was weakened

Religion in Rome

• Paganism- Rome had always been a

pagan state. Citizens were required to

make sacrifices to traditional Roman

Gods.

• Christianity- After the reign of Augustus a

new religion arose.

III. Christianity

A. Jewish Background

1. Messiah Prophecy: 1st century BCE

2. Messiah Cults and Revolts against Rome

B. Jesus of Nazareth: 6BCE-29CE

1. Inner Transformation

2. Simplicity of Law

3. Crucifixion and Resurrection

4. Paul of Tarsusa. Son of God

b. Savior

III. Christianity

C. Rise of Christianity

1. Pre-200: Eucharist

2. Persecution by Romans

3. Late 200’s

4. Constantine—Edict of Milan 380

5. Theodosius the Great

III. Christianity

D. Creating the New Testament

1. Letters from Paul

2. The Gospel

a. Dozens originally

b. Gnostic Gospels—Thomas

c. Canonic Gospels

3. Arian Controversy and the Council of Nicea 325

Christianity

• Grew from Judaism

• Both were tolerated by Romans

until Jesus became the king of

Jews

• Christ “Christo” anointed one

• Messianic secret

• Death/Resurrection/Disciples

• Nero and persecution

Christianity

• Expanded into the non-Jewish community of Rome.

• Gave hope that anyone could reach salvation (lower class and women)

• Was spread by disciples

• Christianity would merge with empire and eventually affect developments in a large segments of the world!

Roman Timeline• 44BCE Julius Caesar is murdered

• 27BCE Octavian = Augustus Caesar

• 1CEJesus is born

• 14CE Augustus dies

• 33CE Jesus is crucified

• 37CE Caligula becomes Emperor

• 54CE Claudius is murdered/Nero Emperor

• 64CE Fire destroys much of Rome

• 305CE Constantine1st Christian Emperor

• 476CE Western Roman Empire falls

The Roman Peace

Pax Romana

• Under Augustus, Rome became the capital of the Western world, established:

– Rule of law

– Common coinage

– Civil service

– Secure travel for merchants

• Pax Romana-200 year period of peace and prosperity; arts and sciences flourished!

• Ended with Marcus Aurelius

Comparisons…Pax Romana vs. Golden Ages of Greece, Gupta

India, & Han China

• See the pattern: When a major empire

greatly expands its territory, it becomes

the center of artistic and scientific energy.

This is because it has a tremendous

amount of wealth flowing into its capital

from its conquered regions, trade

expands, and the people have the

freedom and confidence to pursue goals

other than military protection.

A Divided Empire/New Official

Religion

• Diocleatian divides the Empire into 2 parts

• Constantine- his official conversion

• He moves capital to Byzantium and builds Constantinople

• Strategic site, linked West with Eastern trade and wealth

• In 325CE Council of Nicaea (human & divine)

• Edict of Milan- 380CE gave legal protections to Christians– Gave reparation of previously incurred losses.

– Banished men who worked on the galleys or in the mines were recalled, confiscated estates were restored.

– Jews were forbidden to keep Christian slaves

• The Bible

• But was it one of political stability or faith?

An Empire Divided

Comparing and Contrasting

• 2 Major causes of the decline of any

empire:

– Internal-

• Economic depression

• Natural catastrophes

• Social unrest

– External-

• Invading armies

Collapse of the Western Roman Empire

• Over extension of resources

• Roman army could not maintain borders

• Slavery (1/3 of the population!)

• Lead in water from pipes

• Series of epidemics (trade & overcrowding)– Diseases killed off ¼ of the population in China and

the Mediterranean

• Economy (inflation and hoarding)

• Barbarian invasion (Germanic)– Final defeat fell to Odovacer

• Series of BAD emperors

• Christianity

Barbarian Invasions

• Taxes were unfairly favoring the rich and the military lost much of its funding

• The Huns invaded Europe in the mid 300’s and caused many groups to migrate away from them.

• The Visigoths were allowed to live in the Empire but were mistreated and rebelled.

• The Battle of Adrianople in 378 followed by the Frist Sack of Rome in 410 showed that Rome had lost much of its power.

Barbarian Invasions

Barbarian Invasions

• The Vandals crossed into Rome in the early 400’s.

• The Vandals took out the outer regions of the Empire in Gaul, Spain, and North Africa. Rome tried but lost every time.

• The Ostrogoths arrived in the mid 400’s and sought to take over Rome.

• In 476 Rome fell again to Odoacer who claimed to inherit the leadership of Rome.

Legacy

• The Western Empire Limped on under the Ostrogoths but was never a major power again.

• The Byzantine Empire became the major power in Europe, lasting until 1453.

• The Christian world became divided.

• In the West, the absence of a major unifying force led to the Dark Ages.

Summary…

• Han fell because of internal pressures

• Gupta fell because of external pressures

• Rome fell the hardest, a victim of both

internal and external pressures

– Results:

• China would again return to greatness

• Rome would never reach this height again.

What you’ve learned so far…

• Most common developments to civilizations are

agriculture, written language, and the use of metals

which contributed to their growth.

• Remember when people are less concerned about

finding their next meal, they can accomplish great

things.

• Be able to describe how when civilizations become

so dominate that they have no rivals

– A period of peace and prosperity, golden age of devoting

time and $ to the arts or….

– They get too big, own people get restless, foreign threats

gain confidence and power, and if falls.

Change Over Time

• Change occurs in civilizations through

cultural diffusion

– Trade

– Conquest

• Religious beliefs

• Inventions and innovations

• Some were more innovative while other

more adaptive. Most were both!

Humans vs. Nature

• Humans changing their surroundings for their own

use and purpose

– Irrigation

– Stone-cutting

– Plowing

– Terraces

– Metal-working

– Calendars

– Concrete

• As civilizations developed, they were less subject to

natural events causing their demise, and more

likely that an other civilization would do so…