The Rise of Christianity & Constantine

Roman Religion

• Romans allowed the lands that they conquered to freely practice religion– However, must show loyalty to Roman gods and

the Emperor • Roman Religion– Mixture of fragmented rituals, taboos,

superstitions, and traditions which were collected from varying cultures over centuries

– Gods: Greeks, Etruscans, Latins (polythesists) – Blend of public (state cult) and private (ritual

and prayer)

Greek God Roman GodZeus JupiterHera JunoHades PlutoPoseidon NeptuneAphrodite VenusApollo ApolloAthena MinervaDemeter CercesHephaestus Vulcan

Hestia VestaPersephone Proserpina

Eros Cupid Dionysus Bacchus Ares MarsKronos Saturn

Vestal Virgins

• Priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth– The shrine of Vesta and its maintenance was regarded as fundamental to the continuance and security of Rome – Sacred fire NEVER allowed to go out!

• College of Vestals = 18 girls/women• Senior-most 6 termed Vestals; full priestesses– Did not marry, vow of chastity– Selected between age of 6-10– Sworn to 30 year term (student, servant, teacher)

Pontifex Maximus

• The high priest; most important position in the ancient Roman religion • He had both political and religious authority• Republic – separate office (last 3: Caesar, Lepidus, Augustus)• Empire – held by the Emperors • Duty: to maintain the pax deorum or "peace of the gods“– consecration of all temples, regulate calendar, administrate law relating to burials, oversaw marriages of patricians, regulated public morals

Pontifex Maximus Today

• The word "pontifex" later became a term used for Christian bishops,

including the Bishop of Rome, and the title of "Pontifex Maximus" was applied within the Roman Catholic Church to the Pope as its chief bishop

You can just call me popey!

63 B.C. – Romans conquered JudeaJews believed a Messiah or savior, would bring

justice and freedom back

Judea & Rome

• Judea = modern day Israel and the home of the Jews

• Conquered during the reign of the First Triumvirate in 63 BCE (Pompey)

• Rome kept strict control over Judea because of uprisings– Zealots sought to incite the people to rebel

against Roman Empire and expel it from the holy land through violence

The Life & Teachings of Jesus

• Mary and Joseph, on their way to being counted in a census (under Roman law), gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem• Jesus of Nazareth – Jesus was born in Bethlehem sometime around 6 to 4 B.C.– He was raised in Nazareth in the province of Galilee.– He is a carpenter until about the age 30 when he begins preaching.

Jesus’s Teachings

• Jesus and his teachings were not accepted by the Jewish and Roman officials–Taught that there was one

true God–Responsibility to love others

as you love yourself– Jesus ignores wealth and

status; his message appeals to the poor.

Rule of Judea During Jesus’s Life

• Jewish Rule:– King Herod was backed

by Roman rule– Known for being

ruthless and living a decadent lifestyle

• Roman Rule:– Pontius Pilate was the

prefect of Judea during the reign of Tiberius

– Most famous as the judge at Jesus’s trial

Jesus’s Persecution• Romans feared revolt• Pontius Pilate threatened by Roman government:– Get control of the people in Judea!

• Many thought Jesus was gaining more power than the emperor and inciting rebellion• Approximately 30 A.D. crucified, which was the common form of execution during the Empire

Christianity Spreads• Jesus comes to be called “Christos,” the Greek word for “savior.” The word Christian and Christianity is derived from that word.• Apostles believe Jesus resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven.• After Jesus died, disciples told stories of his life and teachings– 40-70 years after Jesus’s death• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John• The Gospels

Christianity Spreads

• Saul – a persecutor of early Christians– Has a vision that Jesus speaks to him converts

and changes name to Paul– Traveled the Mediterranean spreading the

message of Jesus– Wrote many epistles, or letter, to Christian

groups in distant cities which comprise a significant portion of the New Testament

– Beheaded in Rome during the reign of Nero

Saul of Tarsus (Paul the Apostle)

Christianity Spreads

• By 100 A.D. Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire–Those who did not believe were called Pagans, which means “country dweller”• Now describes somebody who is not Christian, Jewish, or Muslim

Christian Practices• Organized religion starts• Borrowed Jewish practices– Read from the Old Testament or one of Paul’s readings– Set aside Sunday to gather as that was the day Jesus was resurrected – Practiced baptism, which was a welcoming into the church– Shared bread and wine as a symbolic representation of the Last Supper• Called the Eucharist

Spread of Christianity

Rome Reacts• Romans viewed religion as social activity that promoted unity and loyalty to the state – Romans viewed Christianity as a form of superstition that was bad for society– “Love thy brother” (???)– Early Christians were very secretive and mistrusted

• Roman officials began to view Christians as enemies of the empire…why?– Did not worship Roman Gods, lack of respect for Emperor, would not join army

Other Reasons for Persecution

Secret Messaging

• Ι Χ Θ Υ Σ

• Iota Chi Theta Upsilon Sigma

• Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter Jesus Christ God'sSon Saviour

Rome Reacts• 64 A.D. Nero burns Rome and blames Christians– Rome burned while Nero sang…– Fire burned for 9 days– Ordered the arrest of all Christians• Some imprisoned (Paul)• Some crucified• Soaked in oil and burned alive

Nero & The Christians

Rome Reacts• Early Christian were sent to the Colosseum to fight lions and Centurions• Persecution continued off and on for 250 years• Emperor after emperor tried to stamp out Christianity– Domitian, Marcus Arelius, Valerian, Diocletian

• Many Christians deemed martyrs, or a person who died for a cause

Timeline of Persecution• Nero (c. 64-68). Traditional martyrdoms of Peter and Paul. • Domitian (r. 81-96). • Trajan (112-117). Christianity is outlawed but Christians are not sought out. • Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180). Martyrdom of Polycarp. • Septimus Severus (202-210). Martyrdom of Perpetua. • Decius (250-251). Christians are actively sought out for not offering public sacrifices to the Emperor and Roman Gods. Could buy certificates (libelli) instead of sacrificing. Martyrdoms of bishops of Rome, Jerusalem and Antioch. • Valerian (257-59). Martyrdoms of Cyprian of Carthage and Sixtus II of Rome. • Maximinus the Thracian (235-38). Aurelian (r. 270–275). • Diocletian and Galerius (303-324).

So How Did Christianity Gain Credibility?

• Tetrarchy: power is divided among four individuals1. Emperor Diocletian 2. Emperor Maximian (Western Regions)• Galerius (Caesar)• Constantius (Caesar)

Both retire in 305

Ascends to Emperor

Conflict…Again

• Constantius dies…Constantine his son becomes Emperor of the West• BUT, Maxentius (Maximian’s son) was declared Emperor of the West by the Senate & Praetorian Guard• Result: BATTLE between the two at the Milvian Bridge

Drowned!

Constantine & Christianity• 312 Constantine wins an overwhelming victory near the at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge

– Has a dream that he is to convert to Christianity and begins strongly encouraging spread of Christianity• After victory:

– Constantine gained full control over the Western Roman Empire– Licinius gained control over the Easter Roman Empire

• Both Agree:– No more persecution of Christians and all property taken was returned to Christians

The Chi Rho Symbol• Formed by superimposing the first two letters chi and rho (ΧΡ) of the Greek word "ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ" (Christ) in such a way to produce a monogram

Constantine & Christianity• Licinius continued persecuting Christians in the east• 324 A.D. Constantine won several victories over Licinius

– Constantine believed the Christian God was working through him• Constantine develops that Christian faith

– Holds a meeting at Nicaea – kept church together and establishes church doctrine– Built church in Jerusalem – where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead (Church of the Holy Sepulcher) – Built many churches – St. Peter’s in Rome (BIG shift from the catacombs and secret churches…)

Pagan Traditions We Still Practice • Christianity begins to spread and dominate, but adopts some aspects of Roman paganism:

Constantine & New Rome• 330 A.D Constantine moved the Roman capital to Byzantium (Turkey)– Constantine’s homeland– Filled it with riches–Named it New Rome

• Became known as Constantinople– The city of Constantine

Constantine Becomes Emperor