- Christianity:
- Background:
Religion has always played a large role in Roman society
The polytheistic system was very important - Jesus of Nazareth:
Viewed as the Messiah or savior by Christians
Born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea
baptized by John the Baptist
Took of carpentry
At the age of 30 he took up ministry
For the next 3 years, he preched, taught did good works, and reportedly preformed miracles - Jesus Death
Jesus growing in popularity and this concerned Roman and Jewish leaders - Spreading Christianity
After Jesus' death, the followers of Jesus continued to spread his ideas
Despite the large amounts of political and religious opposition, the new religion of Christianity began to spread - Paul:
Man who influenced the spreading of Christianity
Was once a Jew and against it
Traveled throughout the Roman Empire - Christian
- Belief that Jesus is the Messiah
- Acceptance of Gentiles and Jews a like
- Jewish
- Belief that Jews are the chosen people
- Adherance to Jewish law
- Both
- Belief in one God
- Belief in the 10 commandments
- Persecution of Christians
Main reason was that they refused to worship roman gods
As Pax Romana(Roman peace) began to crumble, persecution of the Christians increased
Thousands were crucified, burned, or killed by wild animals in the circus arenas
Martyrs- were people willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of a belief or cause - Popularity:
became a world religion for many reasons:
Embraced all people
Gave hope to the powerless
Appealed to those who were repelled by the extravagances of imperial Rome
Offered personal relationship with a loving god
Promised eternal life after death - Constantine accepting Christianity:
Constantine was fighting over the leadership of Rome
He then prayed to the Christian god, and saw a cross
He then told the artisans to paint the Christian symbol on the shields
He was successful in battle so began to accept Christianity
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