spread of christianity in Roman Empire Flashcards
why did pagans believe it was important to worship the gods?
it was believed worshipping the gods kept them happy so if a flood or thunderstorm occurred it was believed it was because they were angry (socially, politically and economically)
why was christianity attractive to people?
socially inclusive message which disregarded economic inequalities
with christ there is a religious equality which overrides racial, social and gender discrimination
took place at time of religious uncertainty
how did christians influence the upper class (Constantine)
Constantine converted to christianity and made it an official religion causing many social elites to join the church. he reconstructed the church as it was usually poorer people
why did christians stand out in society and where disliked
didn’t send kids to public schools as paganism was taught
didn’t partake in official state holidays
accused of being self righteous and anti social
didn’t attend forms of entertainment
describe the events of the pentecost
God waited till thousands arrived from all over for pentecost to give the disciples the gift of speaking in tongues. acts 2:5 God fearing jews arrived from all nations
so they could hear the disciples message in own language
5000 where saved that day taking the message home and spreading it all over. God used pentecost as a catalyst to speed growth of christianity
what affect did the martyrdom of Stephen have?
general period of persecution after his death so christians scattered everywhere
taking their faith with them
how did the Roman Empire indirectly help with the spread of christianity?
Pax Romana - peace with romans provided conditions which where favourable to spreading faith e.g roads high security
existence of common language
persecution was sporadic and short lived and generally local
how did christianity spread so quickly?
urgency to tell people, believed Jesus meant weeks/months before his return rather than years
christian morality was very attractive tertullian quoted “see how these christians love one another”
presented one God rather than many
what is a martyr?
someone who dies for a particular cause
How did the martyrdom of christians grow the faith?
pagans where impressed by the courage and fearlessness shown
some felt bad and others where curious to why people would die for a lie giving the faith a degree of credibility
how did martyrdom negatively effect the spread of christianity?
some christians has an unhealthy obsession with being martyred portrayed as crazy
some pagans believed they where just receiving their punishment from the gods and where happy to see it
describe the martyrdom of Justin Martyr
165ad Justin and his six companions where brought before the prefect of Rome
they where ordered to obey the gods and authorities to where Justin refused and admitted he was a christian
he was beheaded after refusing to sacrifice to the gods
describe the martyrdom of Blandina?
slave girl in 177 ad arrested by romans who spent days trying to break her.
she was held up on a cross like structure with wild animals around her left untouched.
her spirit encouraged others .
returned to jail where she was burned with metal rods and thrown to bulls
describe the martyrdom of Polycarp
elderly man who died in AD160 due to pagans executing any self proclaimed christian
they lit Polycarp on fire in collegium although the flames didn’t touch him
due to age romans gave him a chance to be free by renouncing his faith he refused.
