10 - Roman Empire Flashcards
trajectory of Acts 5
- northwards from jerusalem to syria antioch
- westward to asia minor
- then to macedonia and achia
- then rome and beyond
- church was also spreading other directions, acts just focusses on these
greek
common language throughout roman empire, assisting trade and politics
latin
literate language of roman citizens and govt
local languages
various indigenous languages throughout the empire
aramaic
everyday language in israel
hewbrew
language of the ot, which many nt jews could no longer read
roman empire languages
most people would be multilingual: local language, greek, and hebrew or latin if educated
social classes 6
emperor
patricians
senators
equestrians
plebians
slaves and freedman
emperor 4
- extremely powerful but at risk
- title emporer adopted by Julius Caeser to indicate his supreme rule (caeser was family name later used by succeeding roman emperors)
- augustus octavian also established pax romana and coined other titles, such as divi filius (son of god), leading to emperor being seen as semi-divine
- emperor cult as religious option
patricians
privileged group of families who dominated political, religious, and military leadership
senators 3
- about 300 men
- sons of senators or roman citizens over 25 who had been elected
- often military backgrounds, administrative experience, etc
equestrians 2
- once made up calvalry
- in 1st century, mostly wealthy class of businessmen (ex bankers, builders, etc)
plebians 3
- majority of roman citizens
- challenging everyday lives as farmers, bakers, artisans, etc
- worked to support family, pay taxes, etc
slaves and freedmen 4
- mostly taken in battle from foreign lands, or born into slavery or sold themselves
- could have a range of roles
- hope of being freed (manumission) kept them working hard
- 1/3 people in Italy were slaves
cities 3
- roman empire basically a commonwealth of autonomous cities that were the political and economic backbone of the roman empire
- early church significantly urban in its early expansion and location
- 2 main types: colonies and free cities (more locally governed)
imperial provinces
- ruled directly by the emperor in part bc politically, militarily, and otherwise they usually needed closer attention
- ex syria, egypt, judea
senatorial provinces
deemed to be less of a concern, so would have less roman military presence
family 5
- most basic unity of society, crucial
- eldest male called pater familias, had absolute control both legally and practically
- mother expected to meet cultural conventions
- marriages arranged and governed by contracts
- children did well to survive earliest years, expected to obey their parents
religion general 4
- wide range of forms
- various temples and shrines in cities
- most people polytheistic, believing in gods/goddesses who governed specific aspects of life
- jews and Christians were monotheistic, so viewed w/ suspicion bc rejected and risked the wrath of the other gods
mystery religions 2
- popular religion included mystery religions or cults, some to a specific god or goddess
- magic widely practiced (potions, incantations, cursing enemies, etc)
philosphers roles 3
prominent role in society, education, outlook on life
philosphy concerns 3
- reason - how to know the world
- metaphysical issues - how to understand the world
- moral questions - how one is to live in the world
3 main philosophic schools
cynics, stoics, epicureans
cynics 2
- called for a countercultural and simple life of virtue
- rejected wealth power and status
stoics 3
- pantheistic - god everywhere, in nature, people, etc
- believed in divine providence (gods involved in the world)
- stressed reason, self-sufficiency, meeting obligations, living harmoniously with nature
epicureans 4
- thought gods/goddesses did not exist or were remote
- did not believe in providence, but rather chance
- rejected idea of future judgement
- stressed pleasure in the present
rhetoric general 3
- the art of persuasion
- much valued especially among educated and socially prominent
- training integral to a good education, career, public profile
rhetoric types 3
- judicial - for court, to defend
- deliberative - states person to persuade for policies or military leader for armies
- epidetic - to praise or blame someone, political rival
