Monotheistic Religions in the Roman Empire Christianity & Judaism.
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Transcript of Monotheistic Religions in the Roman Empire Christianity & Judaism.
Yahweh
Founder of the Arab people
Founder of the Hebrews
Islam Christianity
Judaism
Hagar -- Abraham -- Sarah | | Ishmael Isaac
Empire & New “Mystery” Religions
What “Mystery” religion is this?• Featured a miracle performing
founder• Offered secret knowledge • Promised individual salvation
and eternal life• Focused on a savior deity who
died and came back to life• In groups ate sacred food and
drink• Seventh day was sacred• Founder’s birthday at the end of
DecemberMithraism
Jesus of Nazareth
Born in Roman occupied Palestine
Became a wandering rabbi who taught:
• Hebrew scriptures• Moral perfection• “Blessedness” of society’s
outcasts• Nonviolence
Executed by Romans
Early Foundations
The 11 Disciples of Jesus spread the Christian faith• Disciple – one who is taught• Apostle – one who is sent
Christian means “little Christ”
Peter the Apostle First of the Apostles Traveled to Rome to
become the first Bishop.• “The Rock”• “Pope”
Crucified during reign of Nero
Paul the Apostle A Jewish enemy of the
Christians. Had a vision of Christ Spent the rest of his life
spreading Christ’s teachings.
Enabled anyone to convert to Christianity
Beheaded during Nero’s reign.
Christianity’s Attraction
Eternal life and a relationship with God
Everyone could participate• Encouraged
conversion Sins were forgiven Judaism presented
too many boundaries
Diocletian "Edict against the Christians“ 303 CE
• Scriptures burned• Churches burned• Priests arrested• Christians tortured and killed
How did Christianity survive?
313 CE – Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity & ended persecution• Edict of Milan
392 CE – Emperor Theodosius established Christianity as the Roman Empire’s only faith
1,000 CE, all European states were Christian and the majority of Europeans were Christians
King Herod• Rebuilt the Holy Temple• Upper class Jews
accepted him• Small farmers and
commoners did not• He was a foreigner• He used the people’s taxes
to pay for his palaces
• Zealots – Jewish rebels
Zealots
Viewed Romans as greedy
Awaited the Messiah
Started a mini-guerrilla war
Herod executed Jewish priests and their family members
This turned many others against him
The First Diaspora
66 CE – The Jews rebelled against Rome 70 CE, Romans marched into Jerusalem
• Destroyed the Temple complex Only the west wall remains
• Annexed Judea as Roman province• Drove many Jews from Palestine
72 CE – Battle of Masada