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History 322, The Middle Ages

History 322, The Middle Ages. Rome Becomes Christian. Spread of Christianity by 4th century. Fewer than 10,000 by A.D. 100 200,000 by A.D. 200. Still only .3 % of total pop in Roman Empire of 60 million. How did Christianity become dominant in the Roman Empire?.

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History 322, The Middle Ages

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  1. History 322, The Middle Ages Rome Becomes Christian

  2. Spread of Christianity by 4th century Fewer than 10,000 by A.D. 100 200,000 by A.D. 200 • Still only .3% of total pop • in Roman Empire of 60 million

  3. How did Christianity become dominant in the Roman Empire? • Christianity’s appeal to gentiles—compassion and personal salvation • Classlessness & appeal to women: • “There is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28)

  4. Diocletian’s reform of the Empire Diocletian (284-305) and the Tetrarchy Two reasons: Defense Succession 2 Augusti Diocletian Maximian 2 Caesars Constantius Galerius Civil war reigns by 305

  5. Major Christian Controversies • Arian beliefs (early 4th century) • Arius: A Libyan priest in Alexandria • For Arius, only God the Father was eternal: • “There was a time when He was not” • “the Son had a beginning, but God is without beginning” • Why is this a problem? • Christological Controversies • Problem of Christ’s divinity and humanity • Problems of Polytheism

  6. What is the solution? • Constantine calls the Council of Nicaea in 325 • Enhanced role of emperor in Church affairs (Caesaropapism) • Establishes role of the Church to decide orthodoxy • Supremacy of bishops (episcopacy) established

  7. More Controversies • Donatism (3rd & 4th centuries) • North African controversy about the nature of the sacraments • Is the character of priests vital to the transmission of grace? • Deeply divided the Christian community

  8. Establishing Orthodoxy • Jerome (340-420) • Supporter of monasticism • Translated Bible into Latin (Vulgate) • Augustine (354-430) • Church Fathers • After the sack of Rome wrote City of God (413-426): proper role of the state • The first tell-all book: • Augustine’s Confessions

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