1.2 A New Religion and the Christian Roman Empire

Question 1

CHRISTIANITY

Answer 1

Abrahamic, monotheistic religion
*The Trinity / Triune God
*Scriptural based
*The Bible
*The development of books (codices)
*Life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth
*Two events best corroborated by history
*Baptism by John the Baptist, c. 28-29 C.E.
*Crucifixion by Pontius Pilate c. 30-33 C.E.

Question 2

Origins of Christianity

Answer 2

1st century C.E. Judea
*Apocalyptic Jewish sect
*Second Temple Judaism
*Messiah / Christos
*Roman Influences?
*Roman mystery cults? (like Mithras where you have to be initiated)
*Greco-Roman philosophy

Question 3

Canonical Sources for the life of Jesus

Answer 3

Gospel of Mark, c. 66-70 CE
*Gospel of Matthew, c. 85-90 CE
*Gospel of Luke, c. 85-90 CE

Question 4

Non-canonical sources for the life of Jesus

Answer 4

The Jewish Wars, Flavius Josephus (1st C.)
*The Dead Sea Scrolls?

Question 5

SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY: FIRST – THIRD CENTURIES

Answer 5

Founded in Jerusalem
*James the Just, Peter, John
*Transition beyond Jewish communities
*Paul of Tarsus (Saint Paul)
*Urban (Jewish) settlements and Roman Army
*Early Christian communities based in households
*Attractive to many groups: slaves, women, soldiers, middle class

Question 6

Christianity as an Underground Religion

Answer 6

Periods of persecution
*Nero (r. 54-68 CE)
*Diocletian’s “Great Persecution” (c. 303-313)
*Meeting Places
*Catacombs
*Private households
Structure
*Clergy / kleros (inheritance)
*Priests / presbyteroi (elders)
*Bishops / episkopos (overseer)
*Laity / laikos (of the people)

Question 7

Constantine the First

Answer 7

r. 306-337 CE (as sole emperor from 324)
*First Emperor to convert to Christianity
*Ends great persecution of Diocletian
*Made Christianity a tolerated religion
*City of Constantinople, founded 330 CE
*Nova Roma

Question 8

BATTLE OF MILVIAN BRIDGE

Answer 8

Constantine’s “Conversion” Story
*312 C.E., civil war with co-emperor Maxentius
Story goes that he dreamt of the chi rho the night before the battle, put it on the shields, and wins the war

Question 9

Edict of Milan

Answer 9

313 C.E. Makes Christianity a tolerated religion of the Empire
*Point of unity
*Looking for support in the East
*Enhances status and prestige of emperor
*Instrument of divine will

Question 10

COUNCIL OF NICAEA

Answer 10

Convened by Constantine in 325 CE
*First Ecumenical Council
*Define the nature of Christ and his relationship to God
*Mandate date of Easter
*Condemn Arianism
*Believed Jesus Christ:
* was not coeternal with God the Father
*Was not the same substance as God the Father