Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response

1. Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response (Christianity in the 2nd to 3rd Century) The Good Shepherd, Catacomb of Domitilla

2. The Christian Movement in the Second Century • Characteristics of the Movement

3. The Christian Movement in the Second Century • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship Orant figure from Priscilla Catacomb

4. The Eucharist was central to early Christian worship and often pictured in catacomb frescoes. Eucharistic fish and bread Catacomb of St. Callixtus, Rome

5. Agape Feast Catacomb of Saints Marcellinus and Peter

6. The Christian Movement in the Second Century: • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization

7. Portrayal of Women, common in catacomb art

8. The Christian Movement in the Second Century: • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • 1. Monepiscopate

9. The Christian Movement in the Second Century • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • 1. Monepiscopate • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists

10. The Christian Movement in the Second Century: • Internal Developments • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • 1. Monepiscopate • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing

11. The Christian Movement in the Second Century • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • 1. Monepiscopate • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing • B. 3 Parts to an Apology:

12. The Christian Movement in the Second Century • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • 1. Monepiscopate • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing • B. 3 Parts to an Apology: • 1. refutation of specific charges

13. Internal Development, External Expansion & the Roman Response • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • 1. Monepiscopate • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing • B. 3 Parts to an Apology: • 1. refutation of specific charges • 2. attack on certain pagan beliefs and practices

14. The Christian Movement in the Second Century: • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • 1. Monepiscopate • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing • B. 3 Parts to an Apology: • 1. refutation of specific charges • 2. attack on certain pagan beliefs and practices • 3. affirmation of superiority of Christianity over paganism

15. Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response • (Christianity in the 2nd to 3rd Century) • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing • B. 3 Parts to an Apology • III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion

16. Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response • (Christianity in the 2nd to 3rd Century) • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing • B. 3 Parts to an Apology • III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion • 1. Eastern Mediterranean • 2. Western Mediterranean • 3. Beyond the Roman Empire

19. Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing • B. 3 Parts to an Apology • III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion • IV. Roman Responses to Christianity • A. The Nature of Pagan Piety

20. Anti-Christian Graffiti: “Alexamenos is worshipping his god”

21. Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing • B. 3 Parts to an Apology • III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion • IV. Roman Responses to Christianity • A. The Nature of Pagan Piety • B. Misconceptions

22. Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing • B. 3 Parts to an Apology • III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion • IV. Roman Responses to Christianity • A. The Nature of Pagan Piety • B. Misconceptions • C. Persecution & Martyrdom

23. Early Christian Mosaic of St. Perpetua

24. Women as Heroines: Accounts of Women Martyrs The Virgin-Martyr Agnes, Gold-Glass from fourth-century Rome

25. Certificate of Having Sacrificed to the Gods (from persecution under Emperor Decius, c. 250 About 250 A.D., during the Emperor Decius’ short but furious persecution, persons suspected of Christianity were evidently obliged to clear themselves by sacrificing to the old gods, then taking out a certificate to protect themselves against further legal proceedings. This example comes from a papyrus found at Oxyrhyncus. To the Commissioners of Sacrifice of the Village of Alexander’s Island: From Aurelius Diogenes, the son of Satabus, of the Village of Alexander’s Island, aged 72 years: ---scar on his right eyebrow. I have always sacrificed regularly to the gods, and now, in your presence, in accordance with the edict, I have done sacrifice, and poured the drink offering, and tasted of the sacrifices, and I request you to certify the same. Farewell. -----Handed in by me, Aurelius Diogenes. -----I certify that I saw him sacrificing [signature obliterated]. Done in the first year of the Emperor, Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius Pius Felix Augustus, second of the month Epith. [June 26, 250 A.D.]

26. Damnatio ad bestias!

27. To the lion!

28. The Christian Martyr St. Sebastian (in Renaissance imagination)

29. Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response • Characteristics of the Movement • A. Worship • B. Organization • II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists • A. Reasons for Writing • B. 3 Parts to an Apology • III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion • IV. Roman Responses to Christianity • A. The Nature of Pagan Piety • B. Misconceptions • C. Persecution & Martyrdom