Christianity

Question 1

Key Dates

Answer 1

249 - persecution of decius
303 - the great persecution of the christians (diocetian)
313- edict of milan by Constantine/Licinius 
325- Council of Nicaea 
356 - origins of monasticism 
423 - Symeon the Stylite ascends pillar 
431 - council of ephesus 
451 - council of chalcedon

Question 2

Christian view of Rome

Answer 2

links between whore of babylon, book of revelations and rome
maintenance of idea of rome persecuting innocent christians
ideas of destruction of traditional system
no orthodoxy yet - hard to control early church

Question 3

Pre-Constantine Archaeology

Answer 3

catacombs of rome
house-churches
similar idea with insulae
christian symbols - sheep, boats, praying figure with outstretched arms

Question 4

Conversion of Constantine

Answer 4

maxentius seen as bad guy by christian sources
constantinian churches- st jahns bascilica, st peters
similar design to bathhouses - lots of light
chruch construction in constantinople
church of holy sepulchre in jerusalem
building depended hugely on patronage by emperor
rise of the bishop - fill power vacuums

Question 5

Catacombs

Answer 5

not used as hiding places
some were mixed christian, traditionalists and jews
huge amount of art/frescos
well preserved to due nature

Question 6

Presence of Traditionalists

Answer 6

continue, less imperial patronage
especially away from cities
trend towards christianity much slower than sources suggest
consuls still appointed in rome, no more gladiators
idea of pick and choose of cultures
traditional art didnt mean you werent christian
still traditional senatorial patronage

Question 7

Persecution of Judaism

Answer 7

traditionally very accepted
archaeology of synagogues across empire
however christianity caused 22 separate groups
christians also argued against games, feasting etc - all took people into places outwith reach of the church

Question 8

4th Century Christianity

Answer 8

introduction into law codes eg theodosian
attempts made to close down temples
ideas of eventual complete conversion
beginning of vandalism of traditional art
especially mithraism
happened quicker in east than in west
growth of monasticism

Question 9

Sources

Answer 9

bible - presents romans in certain light
archaeology - art, vandalism, churches, house-churches
Musurillo - Christian Acts - christian point of view of trial