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Roman Empire and Christianity

Roman Empire and Christianity. Review. 44 BCE: Julius Caesar killed 31 BCE: Battle of Actium: Octavian beats Marc Antony 27 BCE: Octavian given title “Augustus” Becomes first Emperor of Rome Lasts until 14 CE. Hebrews. Nation of Israel

nicole-cochran
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Roman Empire and Christianity

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  1. Roman Empire and Christianity

  2. Review • 44 BCE: Julius Caesar killed • 31 BCE: Battle of Actium: Octavian beats Marc Antony • 27 BCE: Octavian given title “Augustus” • Becomes first Emperor of Rome • Lasts until 14 CE

  3. Hebrews • Nation of Israel • Conquered by Assyrians, then Persians (Cyrus the Great) then by Alexander the Great, then the Romans • King Herod: king of Israel

  4. Different groups living in Israel • Sadducees • Go with rule of the Romans, need to get back to worshiping God • Literal view of Torah • Pharisees • Same as Sadducees politically • Figurative view of Torah • Essenes • Literal view of Torah • Get away from cities, live chaste life • Zealots • Violent overthrow of Romans, independent Israel

  5. Jesus H. Christ • Born 1 CE (different calendar back then) • Began missionary work around Judea • Claimed to be Messiah (chosen one)

  6. Jesus’ Message • Jesus is son of God, promised Savior of the world (“Christ” Greek for savior) • Fulfilling the prophesies of Old Testament • Love God and one another • “Love your neighbor as yourself” • “Eye for an eye” • Forgiveness • Refused Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, and Zealots

  7. Death of Jesus • People thought he might be a revolutionary • Crucified him, “Passion of the Christ” (30 CE) • According to Bible, rose after 3 days

  8. Spreading Word of God • 12 apostles: spread word of Jesus throughout Judea • Simon Peter: leader of the Apostles • Paul: Pharisee converted to Christianity • Roman citizen, spread message of Jesus to other parts of Empire • Gentile: non Jew

  9. Spread of Christianity • Very inclusive religion: everyone equal • Appealed to poor, slaves, and non-Romans • Everyone equal in eyes of God • Promise of good afterlife

  10. Destruction of Temple • Zealots and Sadducees unite to defy Rome • 70 AD: Temple of Jerusalem destroyed • Emperor Trajan

  11. Persecution of Christians • Nero blamed Christians for great fire in Rome • Christians did not pray to the Roman Emperor • Or any other gods (could not be truly loyal) • Fed to lions!

  12. Spread of Christianity • Despite persecution, Christianity spreads throughout empire • As it spread, the movement became more powerful

  13. Emperor Constantine • Had vision, painted crosses on army shields • Won Battle of Milvian Bridge • Edict of Milan (314 CE): legalized Christianity • Established new Capital, Constantinople

  14. Constantinople: Co-Emperors

  15. Two Capitols: • West: Rome • Gaul, Spain, Britain, North Africa • East: Constantinople • Greece, Syria, Egypt, Middle East

  16. Theodosius I • Makes Christianity official religion of the Empire

  17. Decline and Fall of Roman Empire

  18. After 5 Good Emperors • Period of Decline and unrest • 235-284 CE: 22 Emperors, all meeting violent deaths

  19. One example • Elagabulus: ruled for 4 years (218-222 CE) • Started dressing in women’s clothing and dressing like a prostitute • Tried to find doctors to change his sex (most likely a transexual) • Tried to start a new religion (he was the god) • Murdered by body guard

  20. 3rd Century Crisis (258-260 CE) • 3 different Emperors trying to become full Emperor

  21. Diocletian • Wins 3rd century crisis • Reforms for Empire • Splits Empire into 4 districts • Price restrictions • Made all jobs hereditary

  22. Constantine • Continues reforms of Diocletian • Legalizes Christianity (314 CE) • Establishes new Capitol (Constantinople

  23. Attila the Hun (406-453 AD) • Huns: nomadic group from Central Asia • Pushed the Germanic groups into Roman Empire • Eventually, started invading Roman Empire • “Scourge of God”

  24. “Barbarian” Invasions • Groups living outside of Empire want to move into Empire • Germanic groups moving into Gaul and Balkans (north of Greece)

  25. Germans used in legions • Not enough Roman soldiers, • German mercenaries used instead

  26. Alaric I • Germanic general in Roman Army • Leads army in and sacks Rome (410 CE)

  27. Romulus Augustus • Last Roman Emperor in West • 476 CE: Deposed by Odoacer (German general) named King of Italy

  28. Western Roman Empire Falls • East remains • Germanic Kingdoms established

  29. Byzantine Empire • Eastern Roman Empire • Christian Empire • Lasts another 1,000 years (1453) • Not quite as powerful as the Roman Empire

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