Pax Romana

Religious Tolerance

Pax Romana

Religious Tolerance To Jews in Jerusalem

“just keep the peacejust keep the peace”For years Jews died while refusing to bow down and worship other gods (10 commandments) –

Including the emperor…they came to an unspoken agreement…just stay quiet and we will not force you to worship the Emperor

Divisions of JudaismDivisions of JudaismPharisees – Pharisees –

•the most meticulous observers of the ancestral law•Most Jews were prepared to accept that claim

Sadducees –Sadducees –

•Sadducees did not believe in the authoritative nature of the ancestral laws•Sadducees were more HellenizedHellenized and less traditional•a great deal of following among the well-to-do and among the priestly classes

Common Jew –Common Jew –

•Plain simple folk: observe the Sabbath, who observe the holidays, the festivals, who go with the pilgrimage to temple, who observe the Jewish food laws, the Jewish rituals, believe in the Jewish God, follow the ways by which to make the life holy, follow the dictates of the Torah in a kind of simple plain way,

•The Jews did not “kill Jesus”. The common Jew was just a member of society.•Roman Law and a few Jewish political leaders led the trials against Jesus.

Divisions of JudaismDivisions of Judaism

EssenesEssenes – –

•the Jews of Qumran, the Dead Sea Scrolls•separated themselves from the community

ZealotsZealots – –

•Began by Judas of Galilee **•Included the Sicarii and other revolutionaries•"We must destroy the Roman Empire or we must destroy Jews who cooperate with the Roman Empire. We will kill all collaborators, no King but God," •**Josephus the Historian

•Looking for a “MessiahMessiah”

• Descendant of King David

• Recruited 12 apostles– a “person sent forth”

• Believed in Jewish TraditionBelieved in Jewish Tradition– One God– Accepted 10 Commandments– Defended the Prophets

Oh – oh…

• Called himself the Son of God

• Politically, “son of God” was equal to Emperor

• Called himself the Son of God

• Religious issue,

“son of God” meant more than one god

• Called himself the Son of God

• Proclaimed Spiritual Salvation

• Called himself the Son of God

• Proclaimed Spiritual Salvation

• Eternal Life

• Called himself the Son of God

• Proclaimed Spiritual Salvation

• Eternal Life

• Some believed he was the Messiah

Both Jewish Leaders and Roman Authority felt threatened

Afraid of Zealot’s “Messiah”

• Both Jewish Priests and Roman Authority felt threatened

• Crucified on Cross not uncommon…most Roman Death Sentences

were on the cross

• Both Jewish Priests and Roman Authority felt threatened

• Crucified on Cross

• According to Tradition:According to Tradition:– Left his tombLeft his tomb U.S. celebrates Christmas…most of eastern Christian world celebrate Easter as most U.S. celebrates Christmas…most of eastern Christian world celebrate Easter as most

important Holiday.important Holiday.

Three Major Forms

• Ebonites - Ebonites -

Jewish – ChristianJewish – Christian

• Gnostics –Gnostics –Greek word for Greek word for KnowledgeKnowledge

Denied Jewish belief and old testament as a wholeDenied Jewish belief and old testament as a whole

• Pauline Christianity Pauline Christianity – Spread Christianity to Gentiles (non-Jews)Spread Christianity to Gentiles (non-Jews)

Destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD)

Zealot Revolt Zealot Revolt •1,000,000 people were killed during the siege•majority were Jewish•97,000 were captured and enslaved

“…Men and women, old and young, insurgents and priests, those who fought and those who entreated mercy, were hewn down in indiscriminate carnage. The legionaries had to clamber over heaps of dead to carry on the work of extermination."

Destruction of Jerusalem

NazarenesNazarenes•Separated themselves from Judaism •Elected a Gentile (Marcus) to lead them

•Allowed them to exist in Roman Empire….

• All People – Jew, Gentile, Slave, etc

• Written in Greek and Latin

• Comfort in Message of Love

Peter established a church in RomePeter established a church in Rome

• Paul Vision to preach to the Paul Vision to preach to the GentilesGentiles– Traveled from Mesopotamia to RomeTraveled from Mesopotamia to Rome

PersecutionPersecutionUnspoken pact with Jews –

Growing Christian numbers were a problemThey refused to bow to other gods as the Jews

EmperorEmperorConstantinConstantin

ee

Claims a vision:Claims a vision:Put the cross Put the cross

before his armybefore his army

Edict of MilanEdict of Milan313 313 ADAD

Legalized ChristianityLegalized Christianity

Counsil of NicaeaCounsil of Nicaea•Defined ChristianityDefined Christianity•Unified Roman EmpireUnified Roman Empire

EmperorEmperorConstantinConstantin

ee

EmperorEmperorTheodosiusTheodosius

Declared Christianity official Declared Christianity official religion religion

of Roman Empireof Roman Empire

February 27, 380 A.DFebruary 27, 380 A.D.