Power Point 9 Slides--Growth of Christianity in the Pax Romana Flashcards
How would you describe the gods in Roman religion?
Roman religion was polytheistic (many gods).
Its gods were anthropomorphic (like humans).
Major gods were Jupiter (Zeus); Mars (Ares) (War); Neptune (Poseidon)
In what way was the Roman religion diverse and tolerant?
The Romans accepted other religious beliefs as long as they did not interfere with the worship of its state gods.
Was the main goal of Roman religion morality?
No, the main goal was to protect the Roman state.
What was the duty of Roman citizens in the Roman religion?
Your duty as a citizen of Rome was to worship the State Gods in public on certain days.
Who was the central figure in the rise of Christianity?
Jesus of Nazareth (c. 4 BCE – 30 CE)
What were the times like in which Jesus lived?
He lived in a very turbulent time.
He lived in Judea, which had been conquered in 63 BCE by Rome (became a ‘State’)
• The turmoil created a climate of violence throughout the area.
• Jewish movements in opposition to the Romans spread.
Some Jews were looking for a Messiah–what did they think the Messiah would do?
Many Jews came to believe that a final struggle was near and that it would lead to the coming of a savior, or Messiah.
• The Messiah would destroy the Roman legions and inaugurate a period of happiness and plenty for Jews.
• This apocalyptic belief was an old one among Jews, but by the first century c.e. it had become more widespread than ever.
Who were the Zealots?
They were a Jewish group who wanted to remove Rome by force.
What primary sources do we have to describe Jesus and his life?
None. Nothing was written at the time Jesus lived.
The Gospels in the Bible, which describe the life of Jesus, are the main sources about him. and were written after he died. They are written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
a. They are records of Jesus’s teachings, written sometime in the late first century to build a community of faith.
b. Their authors had probably heard different people talk about what Jesus said and did.
c. There are some differences among the four accounts.
Why was the message of Jesus seen as peculiar and a threat by the Romans?
The message did not fit in to Roman values and culture. Some of the things they objected to were:
It said there is a HIGHER ‘POWER’ above Rome
It said EVERYONE is ‘SAVED’ – Women, Poor, Slaves, ALL CLASSES
It created EMOTIONAL Gatherings of Large Groups
What source you examined in class is a good example of a message Jesus gave that the Romans would object to?
The Beatitudes (given at the Sermon on the Mount).
Can you give an example of something that Jesus said in the Beatitudes that the Romans might not agree with?
Jesus praised the poor, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted.
He told them they would be rewarded in the kingdom of heaven.
The Romans valued courage, military might, masculinity, rule of the elites, and loyalty to the state.
What was significant about the way Jesus was killed?
His method of execution was crucifixion.
This was a brutal form of Roman capital punishment.
It was designed to humiliate the criminal and discourage his followers.
(The Romans could not understand why a religion would worship someone humiliated in this way.)
What was a common tool used to convert Christians by Jesus?
Use of Miracles was common means of CONVERSION
In Christianity, the conversion experience is often dramatic. What is that symbolic of?
Conversion symbolized the “break” with both Romans and Judaism.
