10-10-12

[3rd Jessica]

RELIGION AND CHRISTIANITY
• BACKGROUND
o Religion has always played a large role in Roman Society
o However, the polytheistic system was very impersonal
o As the empire grew so did the new religion called Christianity
• JESUS OF NAZARETH
o Messiah
o Born in Bethlehem
o Baptized by john the Baptists
o Age 30 took up ministry
o Did miracles
• HISTORY OF JESUS
o Very little about Jesus
o Info is in the Gospels
 Written by his apostles
• JESUS DEATH
o Roman and Jewish leaders were concerned about how popular he was getting
o Pontius pilot accused Jesus of defying the authority of Rome
o Crucified on the cross
• SPREADING OF CHRISTIANITY
o After his death they thought the religion would die down
o This apostles carried on the religion
• PAUL
o Influenced the spreading of Christianity
o Once a Jew, but changed to Christian
o Able to do his speeches and travel throughout roman empire because it was during Pax Romana
• CHARTS
o Christians
 Belief that Jesus is the messiah
 Acceptance of Gentiles and Jews alike
o Jewish
 Belief that Jews are the chosen people
 Adherence to Jewish law
o Both
 Belief in one God
 Belief in the Ten Commandments
• PERSICUTION OF CRISHTIONS
o Pax romana began to crumble
o Thousands were crucified, burned or killed
o MARTYRS-people willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake on a belief or cause
• POPULARITY
o Became a would religion
• CONSTITANINE ACCEPTIN CHRISTIANITY
o He was fighting for leadership of Rome
o He prayed and saw the cross
o Ordered his people to paint Christian symbol on shields
o He accepted Christianity