Download Christianity in the Roman Empire

Christianity in the Roman Empire
Origins of Christianity
Jews had considerable independence in the Hellenistic era but by A.D. 6 Judea was under Roman rule directed by an
official called a procurator. The Sadducees promoted cooperation, the Pharisees promoted adherence to the Jewish
belief system. Essenes kept to themselves and the Zealots promoted violent overthrow. Jewish revolt in A.D. 66 was put
down hard by Romans and the Jewish temple in Jerusalem destroyed.
Christianity was spawned from Judiaism. Both religions are monotheistic (belief in one God) and both worship the same
God. However, some Jews embraced a man called Jesus (born c. 4 BC) as their Mesiah (Savior) and the completion of
prophecies associated with Judiaism. Jesus preached that “his mission was to complete the salvation that God had
promised Israel…” He taught “humility, charity, and love towards others.” Jewish leaders ultimately turned him over to
the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate who had him crucified.
After his death (c. 33 AD) Jesus’ followers “proclaimed he had risen from the dead and appeared to them”. “They
believed Jesus to be the Messiah (anointed one), the long expected deliverer who would save Israel from its foes.” He
claimed his objective was to fulfill God’s law which in part says love God with all your heart, mind, and soul and “love your
neighbor as yourself”. He focused on “ethical concepts – humility, charity, and love towards others” These concepts
helped shape the value system of Western civilization. One huge difference in Judiasm and Christianity is that those
embracing Christianity believed that a relationship with Jesus and God was for everyone, not just Jews.
Spread
Paul was a highly educated Jew who happened to be a Roman citizen and a Christian convert. He spread the message of
Jesus throughout Asia Minor (present day Turkey) and along the shores of the Aegean Sea. He preached that Jesus was
the “Savior, the Son of God who had come to Earth to save humanity.” He taught that “Jesus’ death made up for the sins
of all humans. He also taught that by accepting Jesus as Christ and Savior, people could be saved from sin and
reconciled to God.” The New Testament (second part of the Christian Bible) is thought to be based on some of Jesus’
sayings, and letters/epistles written by his apostles and disciples. By the year 100 AD, there were Christian churches in
large parts of the eastern Roman Empire with most members being from the Jews and the Greek speaking populations.
In the 2nd and 3rd centuries there were an increasing number of Latin-speaking Christians.
Persecution
Initially Christians went essentially unnoticed by the Romans. Ultimately, their drfusal to worship state gods and
appointed emperors was seen as treason. The Roman Emperor Nero (AD 54-68) accused Christians of setting a large
fire that destroyed much of Rome. Many Christians were subjected to cruel deaths. By the 2nd century persecution had
diminished.
Tolerance and Triumph of Christianity
Treatment of Christians in the Roman empire vacillated between persecution and tolerance based on location and
leadership. In 313 the first Christian emperor, Constantine, issued the Edict of Milan proclaiming official tolerance of
Christianity. Emperor Theodosiu the Great (reigned 378-395) adopted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman
Empire
Decline of the Roman Empire
Politics and Society
By 287 BC all adult male Roman citizens were supposed to be considered equal under the law but there was no place in
politics for the average person. Wealthy Romans (both Patrician and Plebian) dominated politics and ordinary citizens
were being oppressed (unjust treatment or control). Attempts at land reform (redistribution of land from large owners to
those without or with very little) were met by violence from the Senate. As aristocrats squeezed out small farmers and
enlarged their own estates. These former small farmers became reliant on the large estates basically tied to the land.
Some of the former small farmers migrated to the city giving us an early example of urbanizsation (in this case, people
moving from the country side to the city). Slavery was more rampant in Rome than in any other ancient civilization. Most
slaves came from conquered societies. Many slave owners believed it was eaiser to replace a slave than to treat him/her
well. With an abundance of slaves to do the work, technological development was likley inhibited. The Roman’s attitude
towards slaves resulted in numerous revolts, most notibly one lead by a gladiator slave named Spartacus. He led an
uprising of 70,000 slaves but was ultimately killed in 71 BC. 6,000 his followers were subsequently crucified.
Rome was a patriarchal society but Roman women were considered to be citizens. Although women were citizens they
were not allowed to vote. However, they held a much higher place in society than did their Greek conterparts. Many
common city dwellers worked, but many more relied on handouts from the emperor. Living conditions for the poor in the
city of Rome were dismal. The city of Rome’s infrastructure (the basic equipment, structures and organization needed for
the operation of a country, state, municipality, or other organization. Examples include roads, bridges, power lines, water
reservoirs, sewage systems, cell towers, internet service providers, and public saftey) was inadequate for its approximate
1 million population. Sewage and garbage were arbitraryly disposed of, violent crime was common, housing was
cramped, and structural fiers were common.
Even though Rome prided itself on being a republic, in reality (at this statge) it was nothing more than an oversized
oligarchy ruled by wealthy land owners. The bulk of society (small farmers) were being driven off their land and
essentially becoming servants to large land owners. Mistreated slaves were ubiquitous (everywhere, apparent, present)
and rebelling against their captors. Unemployeed city dwellers were sapping government funds and the quality of life in
the city of Rome was poor at best.
Military
As the politics of Rome disintegrated the influence of military men increased. Origianlly, only landowerns could participate
in military operations. Serving in the military was popular as the commanders and his men were allowed to profit from the
spoils of territory they conquered. Commanders also acted as the ruling government offical of conquered areas.
Generals began to enlist landless urbanites and rural poor with promises of land. To follow through on their promises they
had to get involved in politics.
Conflict between a triumvirate (three rulers) escalated into Civil war. Eventually Julius Caesar prevailed as dictator of
Rome in 45 BC. He had grand plans for the empire but was assassinated by a group of senators in 44 BC.
The Second Triumvirate consisted of (Augustus) Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus. Within a few Years it came down to
Antony and Octavian. Octavian defeated Anthony in the battle of Actium in Greece 31 BC. Antony retreated with
Cleopatra to Egypt where they committed suicide a year later.
Beginning around AD 100, there were five, so called, good emperors the last dying in AD 180. They adopted and
appointed good men for succession providing for smooth transition of power. They further weakened the senate, catered
to the ruling classes, but also took care of domestic issues to help perpetuate the kingdom. This time period constitutes
the later stage of what is known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) which begin in AD 27 with the assention of Octavian
(Agustus) and the end of the civil wars. Trajan created a program to use state funds for helping parents raise and
educate their children. Popular building programs also occurred during this time. “aqueducts, bridges, roads, and harbor
facilities”. Subsequently leadership went to essentially whoever had the military might. From 235-284 there were 22
emperors.
Decline and Fall
Emperor Diocletian (284 -305) divided the empire into units for better administration. His successor (Constantine- 305337) prevailed as the sole ruler in 324 AD and moved the Roman capital to the Greek city of Byzantium on the shores of
the Bosporus. The city was renamed Constantinople and is contemporary Istanbul, Turkey.
It is thought the economy and the empire began to collapse due to 1) invasions, 2) civil wars, and 3) the plague. There
was a food shortage due to lack of production, raids from invaders, and raids from Roman soldiers. The military declined
due to lack of money to pay soldiers. The Huns and the Germanic tribes began to invade Rome from the north. The
Vandals (Germanic tribe) moved through Spain to northern Africa. In 476 the Western Roman Empire fell with the
removal of Romulus Augustus as emperor. Other ideas for the fall include: dilution of Roman race, lead poisoning from
water pipes and cups, and lack of technology due to slavery.