Week 10: Life's Big Questions Flashcards
(52 cards)
Before which battle did Constantine see a vision of the cross in the sky?
Milvian Bridge, 312 AD
What did Constantine’s vision tell him to do before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge?
- Conquer by this
- So, he changes the eagle insignia on his soldiers shields, and replace it with a Chi-Rho
True or False: even after his conversion, Constantine displayed pagan symbols on his coins
TRUE
How did Justinian’s plague begin?
Fleas on rats that boarded ships to Egypt
What is thought to be the worst year of existence during Justinian’s reign?
542 AD
Who ruled on behalf of Justinian when he was sick with plague?
His wife, Empress Theodora
How did many interpret Justinian’s plague?
As the wrath and fury of God
True or False: In Ancient Egypt, there was no distinction between Philosophy and Religion.
TRUE
Where does the word Theology derive from, etymologically speaking?
Theos (God)
Logos (Word, Thought)
Where is Philosophy unusually secular?
Greece
In Mesopotamia, why are humans thought to have been created?
Humans are created solely to serve and worship the gods
What is Theodicy
An attempt to justify the existence of evil and wrong despite the existence of an all-rightous God(s)
- AKA Why do God(s) let bad things happen to good people
- Theos (God)
- Dike (justice)
What was the actual natural phenomenon Constantine likely saw, which he subsequently interpreted as a cross?
A sun dog
Which civilization interprets the gods’ actions with regard to theodicy, as being simply incomprehensible?
Mesopotamia
In Mesopotamia, how is human frailty and evil nature explained?
- Since all humans are made from the blood of the slain rebel god, Quingu
Generally, what pattern of thought did the Mesopotamians adopt in times of trouble?
Passive Fatalism
“Let Marduk and Nabu slay your enemies and take care of it”
How is Theodicy explained in Syria-Canaan?
Combat between God and Monster explains why things happen the way they do
How did the Hittites explain Theodicy?
Gods safeguard the righteous, but if they suffer misfortune, it is due to some accidental transgression or negative energy sent their way by a demon or sorcerer
Explain the Greek view on Theodicy, as explained by Homer in the Illiad:
- Zeus has 2 jars
- One is good, the other is bad
- The best humans can hope for, is a sprinkling of both, rather than just the bad one.
Who said that the gods exist, but they don’t care about us?
Xenophanes of Colophon
What is Agnosticism?
- Not knowing one way or the other
- Gods could exist, or they may not, there is no way of knowing
What is Proselytizing?
Winning over converts
Generally in the ancient world, obligation of religion is by actions NOT _________.
NOT faith
Who was one of the earliest Greek skeptics?
Xenophanes
