10 - Roman Empire

Question 1

trajectory of Acts 5

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

greek

Answer 2

common language throughout roman empire, assisting trade and politics

Question 3

latin

Answer 3

literate language of roman citizens and govt

Question 4

local languages

Answer 4

various indigenous languages throughout the empire

Question 5

aramaic

Answer 5

everyday language in israel

Question 6

hewbrew

Answer 6

language of the ot, which many nt jews could no longer read

Question 7

roman empire languages

Answer 7

most people would be multilingual: local language, greek, and hebrew or latin if educated

Question 8

social classes 6

Answer 8

emperor
patricians
senators
equestrians
plebians
slaves and freedman

Question 9

emperor 4

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

patricians

Answer 10

privileged group of families who dominated political, religious, and military leadership

Question 11

senators 3

Answer 11

• about 300 men
• sons of senators or roman citizens over 25 who had been elected
• often military backgrounds, administrative experience, etc

Question 12

equestrians 2

Answer 12

• once made up calvalry
• in 1st century, mostly wealthy class of businessmen (ex bankers, builders, etc)

Question 13

plebians 3

Answer 13

• majority of roman citizens
• challenging everyday lives as farmers, bakers, artisans, etc
• worked to support family, pay taxes, etc

Question 14

slaves and freedmen 4

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

cities 3

Answer 15

• 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)

Question 16

imperial provinces

Answer 16

• ruled directly by the emperor in part bc politically, militarily, and otherwise they usually needed closer attention
• ex syria, egypt, judea

Question 17

senatorial provinces

Answer 17

deemed to be less of a concern, so would have less roman military presence

Question 18

family 5

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

religion general 4

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

mystery religions 2

Answer 20

• popular religion included mystery religions or cults, some to a specific god or goddess
• magic widely practiced (potions, incantations, cursing enemies, etc)

Question 21

philosphers roles 3

Answer 21

prominent role in society, education, outlook on life

Question 22

philosphy concerns 3

Answer 22

• reason - how to know the world
• metaphysical issues - how to understand the world
• moral questions - how one is to live in the world

Question 23

3 main philosophic schools

Answer 23

cynics, stoics, epicureans

Question 24

cynics 2

Answer 24

• called for a countercultural and simple life of virtue
• rejected wealth power and status

Question 25

stoics 3

Answer 25

• 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

Question 26

epicureans 4

Answer 26

• 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

Question 27

rhetoric general 3

Answer 27

• the art of persuasion
• much valued especially among educated and socially prominent
• training integral to a good education, career, public profile

Question 28

rhetoric types 3

Answer 28

• 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