Rome and Christianity

1. Rome and Christianity

2. Roman Outline • Rome-began as a small agricultural city-state • Then a republic • An Empire • Eventually Dominated the Mediterranean

3. 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

4. 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.

5. Geography • Alps to the north protected invasion from land • Sea surrounded the peninsula limited a naval attack unless by a large armada

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. Ladder of Political Advancement.

11. 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?

12. 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

13. 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!

14. 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

15. Rome and its Neighbors

16. The Punic Wars: Rome vs. Carthage • Battle for control of Mediterranean Trade and Sicily • 1st Punic War: HamilcarBarca vs. Rome

17. Punic Wars: Rome vs. Carthage • 2nd219-202 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

19. Punic Wars, 3 phases

20. Gladiator Games

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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”

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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

29. “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

30. 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.

31. III. Christianity • Jewish Background • Messiah Prophecy: 1st century BCE • Messiah Cults and Revolts against Rome • Jesus of Nazareth: 6BCE-29CE • Inner Transformation • Simplicity of Law • Crucifixion and Resurrection • Paul of Tarsus • Son of God • Savior

32. III. Christianity C. Rise of Christianity 1. Pre-200: Eucharist 2. Persecution by Romans 3. Late 200’s 4. Constantine—Edict of Milan 313 5. Theodosius the Great

33. III. Christianity D. Creating the New Testament 1. Letters from Paul 2. The Gospel a. Dozens originally b. Gnostic Gospels—Thomas c. Canonic Gospels

34. 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

35. 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!

36. Roman Timeline • 44BCE Julius Caesar is murdered • 27BCE Octavian = Augustus Caesar • 1CE Jesus 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 Constantine1st Christian Emperor • 476CE Western Roman Empire falls

37. The Roman Peace

38. 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

39. 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.

40. 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?

41. An Empire Divided

42. Comparing and Contrasting • 2 Major causes of the decline of any empire: • Internal- • Economic depression • Natural catastrophes • Social unrest • External- • Invading armies

43. 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

44. 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.

45. Barbarian Invasions

46. 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.

47. 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.

48. 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.

49. 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.

50. 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!