CHRISTIANITY AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE. How did the Roman Empire help the spread of Christianity?

Transcription

1 CHRISTIANITY AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE How did the Roman Empire help the spread of Christianity?

2 HOW DID THE ROMAN EMPIRE HELP THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY? Areas controlled by the Romans were generally peaceful. Well-constructed roads enabled Christians to easily travel from one region to another as they shared their message. Latin or Greek was spoken by most people allowing easy communication. The message of Christianity was attractive. It provided comfort to people during difficult times, and it gave people hope for a better life after death. Christian communities provided their members with security; they helped to take care of each other.

3 DISAGREEMENTS The official religion of Rome required people to worship the emperor and the state. Christians, like Jews, believed only God could be worshipped. Christians criticized Roman festivals that honored the Roman gods. Christians did not support war as a way to resolve problems, so they would not serve in the army. Christians buried their dead outside Rome in catacombs (underground burial places), and also met in these places for worship.

4 MISTREATMENT OF CHRISTIANS Some Romans thought the Christians were dangerous because they believed differently than the majority. These Romans thought that the Christians should be punished. Some Romans blamed the Christians for causing natural disasters. Emperor Nero accused Christians of starting the fire that burned down much of Rome. Christians were often arrested and beaten. Many were put to death rather than give up their beliefs (martyrs.) Emperor Diocletian (AD )was one of the worst persecutors of Christians. Despite horrible treatment, Christianity flourished and continued to spread.

5 ACCEPTANCE In 312 AD, Emperor Constantine prepared to go to battle. According to early Christian writers, Constantine had a dream the night before the battle in which he saw a flaming cross in the sky. Written beneath were the Latin words that meant In this sign you will conquer. The next day, Constantine ordered his soldiers to paint the Christian cross on their shields. He and his soldiers won the battle. Constantine believed the Christian God had helped them. Constantine became a strong supporter of Christianity.

6 EDICT OF MILAN In 313 AD, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan which allowed all religious groups in the empire, including Christians, to practice their beliefs freely. Constantine attended religious meetings of Christian leaders and gave government aid to Christians. With the help of his mother, Helena, he built Christian churches in Rome and Jerusalem. Christians were allowed to serve in government and were excused from paying taxes. In 392 AD, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. Fresco of Constantine and Helena in the Sicevo Monastery Church, Macedonia Trier Cathedral in Germany built to celebrate Constantine s 20th year as emperor

7 PRESERVING THE UNITY OF CHRISTIANITY Over time, the church had to become more organized to ensure that Christians practiced the same beliefs. Early Christians organized the church into a hierarchy- an organization with different levels of authority. The bishops (men in charge of several Christian communities) of the church met in councils to explain and write down the official teachings of Christianity. Church leaders also preserved stories about Jesus and the writings of the apostles. Jesus did not write down what he said or did, but his followers did. Icon of early Christian leaders c. AD 300

8 WRITINGS, CONTINUED Handwritten gospel of John (New Testament) By 300 AD, four accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus were widely known. These accounts are called gospels, which means good news. Christians believe these gospels were written by followers of Jesus- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Later, these writings were combined with writings of Paul and other early Christian leaders. Together, they became known as the New Testament. This New Testament was combined with the Greek version of the Jewish sacred writings, known as the Old Testament. Altogether, these works are known as the Christian Bible. Scroll containing Old Testament 1607 edition of Bible- Old and New Testaments

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