Rome And Christianity

Question 0

How were Judaism and Roman Paganism different?

Answer 0

Monotheistic vs Polytheistic, Judaism was a separate ethnic group.

Question 1

What is the Pax Romana, how did it influence the Roman Empire

Answer 1

Period of Roman peace (golden age), allowed easy transportation of ideas, people, and especially Christianity.

Question 2

What is a Gentile?

Answer 2

A non Jew. Usually referring to Christians.

Question 3

3 ways Jews and Christians are similar? 3 ways they are not?

Answer 3

Similar-Monotheistic, Torah is holy book, 10 commandments, Abraham is prophet, started in Israel.

Different-Christians have Jesus as the messiah, Jews don’t use gospels or New Testament, Jews have equality for Women.

Question 4

What is the Torah? How was it incorporated into Christianity?

Answer 4

The Torah is the holy book of Judaism. It’s the first book of the Bible.

Question 5

How do we know Jesus was a real person?

Answer 5

Primary sources including a death warrant.

Question 6

What is a parable? Why are they a good way to spread a message?

Answer 6

Short story used by Jesus to teach a moral lesson. Spreads by example not obedience.

Question 7

What is the New Testament?

Answer 7

Second book of the bible, includes the gospels written by Matthew,Mark,Luke,and John. Mainly tells the story of Jesus’ life.

Question 8

Three reasons Jesus’ message was so appealing?

Answer 8

1: Equality for all.
2: Special place after death(Heaven) for the poor and weak.
3: Forgiveness for all sins.

Question 9

Why did the Romans persecute the Christians?

Answer 9

Worried Christians would stop being loyal to the empire and only listen to Jesus and felt this was a threat to their empire.

Question 10

What are the gospels? The epistles? Why are they important?

Answer 10

Gospels-“the good news” stories of Jesus’ life.
Epistles-letters written to potential converts.
Both helped get non Jews to convert to Christianity.

Question 11

Who killed Jesus? Why?

Answer 11

Pontius Pilate (Jewish and Roman governor) believed Jesus was a threat to the Roman Empire.

Question 12

Who is Paul? Who is Peter?

Answer 12

Paul was a disciple who converted non Jews, Peter was the first Pope of Rome. Both early fathers of the church.

Question 13

What is a martyr? How did they help the spread of Christianity?

Answer 13

Martyr-Someone who dies for their cause

Many thought their bravery was admirable and important which gained the religion converts.

Question 14

List the 3 positions within the hierarchy of the church. Why did the church create this hierarchy?

Answer 14

Pope,Bishop,Priest.

Created hierarchy to establish systems in church when it was growing in numbers.

Question 15

List 3 ways early church leaders defined the beliefs of Christianity.

Answer 15

Nicene Creed,St Augustine wrote a book called “City of God”, Fathers of the church limited heresy.

Question 16

What is heresy? why was it a problem?

Answer 16

Heresy is having a belief that goes against church teachings.
It was a problem in early churches as they were trying to establish basic beliefs.

Question 17

Why was the Roman Empire split in two?

Answer 17

Diocletian was trying to stop the fall of the empire in the west.

Question 18

What is the edict of Milan? Why was it important?

Answer 18

Decree by Constantine that allowed Christianity in the Roman Empire.
It finally made Christianity a safe and accepted religion within the Roman Empire.

Question 19

Why did Constantine move the Capitol of the Roman Empire to the east?

Answer 19

He was trying to stop the decline in the west. The east was more prosperous with better trade.

Question 20

List 3 ways Diocletian tried to “fix” Rome. Was he successful?

Answer 20

1: Fixed the prices of goods-yes
2: Requires farmers and sons to stay on their land-yes
3: increase the prestige of the emperor with elaborate ceremonies-no

Question 21

List 5 reasons for the fall of Rome.

Answer 21

1: Over-taxation
2: Poor public health
3: Series of famines and poor harvests
4: Decline in morals and values
5: corruption of the emperor