Ancient Rome: Ancient Rome: The Rise of The Rise of ChristianityChristianity

World HistoryWorld History

Entering a Time of PeaceEntering a Time of Peace Under Julius Caesar, Rome became Under Julius Caesar, Rome became

an empire.an empire. Octavian Augustus was the first Octavian Augustus was the first

emperor of Rome.emperor of Rome. Rome became too powerful to be Rome became too powerful to be

challenged and entered a time of challenged and entered a time of peace in the empire, known as the peace in the empire, known as the Pax RomanaPax Romana or “Roman Peace.”or “Roman Peace.” Allowed ideas to spread across the Allowed ideas to spread across the

world.world.

How Powerful Was How Powerful Was Rome?Rome?

3 million 3 million square milessquare miles

80 million 80 million peoplepeople

1 million 1 million residents in residents in city of city of Rome. Rome.

The Rise of a New The Rise of a New ReligionReligion

In 63 BC, Rome took In 63 BC, Rome took over Judea, the home of over Judea, the home of the Jewish religion. the Jewish religion.

Judea was controlled Judea was controlled by King Herod, a by King Herod, a Jewish governor for Jewish governor for Rome.Rome.

After Herod’s death, After Herod’s death, fighting broke out fighting broke out among his sons. among his sons.

Rome sent troops to Rome sent troops to create peace in Judea.create peace in Judea.

The Birth of ChristianityThe Birth of Christianity Judaism was tolerated by the Romans at Judaism was tolerated by the Romans at

first.first. First First Monotheistic Religion: Only one Monotheistic Religion: Only one

supreme god. supreme god. Jesus of Nazareth was born under the rule Jesus of Nazareth was born under the rule

of Octavian (Caesar Augustus)of Octavian (Caesar Augustus) Grew up preaching the idea of Grew up preaching the idea of oneone true god true god Spread a message of peace, love, forgiveness.Spread a message of peace, love, forgiveness.

Many Jews believed that Jesus was the Many Jews believed that Jesus was the Messiah Messiah or or SaviorSavior, from the Romans., from the Romans. Jesus was called Jesus was called Christ Christ which means “savior” which means “savior”

in Greek. in Greek.

How do We Know About How do We Know About Jesus?Jesus?

Followers of Jesus wrote about Followers of Jesus wrote about the teachings and experiences the teachings and experiences that occurred during his life.that occurred during his life.

These writings were called These writings were called Gospels, Gospels, meaning ‘good news’meaning ‘good news’ Can be found in the New Can be found in the New

Testament of the Christian Bible.Testament of the Christian Bible. The Old Testament is used by the The Old Testament is used by the

Jewish faith which does not believe Jewish faith which does not believe Jesus was the true Messiah.Jesus was the true Messiah.

The Pros and Cons of The Pros and Cons of ChristianityChristianity

Why did Christianity appeal to people?Why did Christianity appeal to people? Embraced All peopleEmbraced All people Promised life after death forPromised life after death forALL people.ALL people. Appealed to poorer people Appealed to poorer people who were not wealthy like Romans.who were not wealthy like Romans.

Because of the Because of the Pax Romana, Pax Romana, these ideas of these ideas of Christianity were able to spread quickly Christianity were able to spread quickly through the empire.through the empire.

The Crucifixion of JesusThe Crucifixion of Jesus The popularity of Jesus with the poor The popularity of Jesus with the poor

angered the Romans and the Jews.angered the Romans and the Jews. Jesus was called the “Son of God” and a Jesus was called the “Son of God” and a

“King”“King” Jews feared Jesus’s preaching would Jews feared Jesus’s preaching would

anger the Romansanger the Romans Jewish leaders turned Jesus over to Jewish leaders turned Jesus over to

the Roman governor of Jerusalem, the Roman governor of Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate Pontius Pilate to be Crucified. to be Crucified. ““Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to

God what belongs to God.”God what belongs to God.”

Golgotha- “Place of the Golgotha- “Place of the Skull”Skull”

After the ApostlesAfter the Apostles*Followers of Jesus became known as *Followers of Jesus became known as

Christians.Christians.Much of what is known about Jesus comes Much of what is known about Jesus comes

from the writings of his from the writings of his Apostles.Apostles.**Apostle means “One who Apostle means “One who travels”.travels”.

Apostles traveled, spread Christian Apostles traveled, spread Christian teachings,teachings,

and wrote the Gospels of the Bible.and wrote the Gospels of the Bible.Peter and Paul were two very Peter and Paul were two very

influential Apostles. influential Apostles.

The 12 ApostlesThe 12 Apostles

Roman Persecution of Jews Roman Persecution of Jews and Christiansand Christians

Why did the Romans hate Why did the Romans hate Christianity/Judaism?Christianity/Judaism? Monotheism vs. PolytheismMonotheism vs. Polytheism Christians/Jews didn’t recognize the emperors Christians/Jews didn’t recognize the emperors

as Gods.as Gods. Blamed for any problems in Roman society.Blamed for any problems in Roman society. Emperors such as Nero crucified and tortured Emperors such as Nero crucified and tortured

Christians and Jews as traitors. Christians and Jews as traitors. Many Jews fled their homeland to escape- Many Jews fled their homeland to escape-

Known as the Jewish Known as the Jewish DiasporaDiaspora- or “spreading - or “spreading out”out”

Christians and Jews became Christians and Jews became Martyrs: Martyrs: Dying for their Dying for their beliefs.beliefs.

The Jews Strike BackThe Jews Strike Back 66 AD- Jews rebel against the Romans.66 AD- Jews rebel against the Romans. 70 AD- Romans stormed Jerusalem 70 AD- Romans stormed Jerusalem

and destroy their temple, leaving only and destroy their temple, leaving only the Western Wall a.k.a the “wailing the Western Wall a.k.a the “wailing wall”.wall”.

73 AD- Jews and Romans fight at the 73 AD- Jews and Romans fight at the Battle of Masada. Over 500,000 Jews Battle of Masada. Over 500,000 Jews died in this battle, mostly of suicide.died in this battle, mostly of suicide. Today- The Western Wall is Jerusalem’s Today- The Western Wall is Jerusalem’s

holiest shrine. holiest shrine.

The Victory Arch of The Victory Arch of Emperor Titus over the Emperor Titus over the

Jews in JerusalemJews in Jerusalem

Hilltop Fortress at Hilltop Fortress at MasadaMasada

Jerusalem’s Western Jerusalem’s Western WallWall

The Martyrdom of PeterThe Martyrdom of Peter Peter the Apostle traveled to Peter the Apostle traveled to

Rome and was crucified Rome and was crucified upside down by Nero.upside down by Nero. It is believed by some that Peter It is believed by some that Peter

was to be the first “Bishop” or was to be the first “Bishop” or Pope of the Christian Church.Pope of the Christian Church.

Today, all Popes are believed to Today, all Popes are believed to be descendants of St. Peter.be descendants of St. Peter.

We now call this the “We now call this the “Catholic” Catholic” church which means church which means ““Universal”Universal”. .

St. Peter’s Basilica in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican CityVatican City

The VaticanThe Vatican

The Tomb of Saint PeterThe Tomb of Saint Peter

Christianity Under Christianity Under ConstantineConstantine

In 312 AD, Constantine became In 312 AD, Constantine became Emperor of Rome.Emperor of Rome. During Battle, he saw an image of a During Battle, he saw an image of a

cross and won.cross and won. 313 AD313 AD- Constantine issues the - Constantine issues the

Edict of MilanEdict of Milan making Christianity making Christianity a legal religion in Rome.a legal religion in Rome.

To strengthen the religion he called To strengthen the religion he called the the Council of Nicaea Council of Nicaea to establish to establish the core beliefs of Christianity, the core beliefs of Christianity, leading to the leading to the Nicene CreedNicene Creed. .

Finally OfficialFinally Official In 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius In 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius

declared Christianity the Offical declared Christianity the Offical Religion of the Roman Empire. Religion of the Roman Empire.