For the first three centuries of the Roman Empire, many Romans believed that Christianity was a form of atheism because it rejected the divinity of the emperor. Some even thought new Christian religion was treasonable because it spoke of a kingdom of heaven that was distinct from Roman empire. Eventually Roman governor of Judea tried and crucified Jesus, because he was a threat to religious and political stability. The Christian religion then offered faith in a god and began to attract the poor Romans, but later on more powerful classes began to join. The benefit of this new religion offered greater freedom to women, and the use of Greek mythology. After all of this the Christian religion swept its way across the Roman empire and emerged as the state religion.
Good summary, but a few areas warrant more detail i think. For example, how was Jesus a threat to political stability do you think? What, do you think, may be the reasons Xianity began to attract wealthier romans?
Not all of these questions can be answered based on what is in the chapter, but it is a good skill to try and make educated guesses.
Although in modern times the Roman Empire is often associated with Christianity (i.e. Roman catholics), on the front end of the empire's development it actively rejected the ideology behind the religion. For almost the first three centuries of Rome's existence, Christianity was not accepted. The Romans found Christianity unfavorable for two main reasons. First, the Christian religion rejected the divinity of the emperor. Second, Christianity stated that there was a kingdom of heaven that was distinct from the secular world, which contradicted the ideology of the state at the time. The Roman government viewed Christianity as a threat to the state, and so finally the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate tried and crucified Jesus. The Roman government at first made an effort to resist Christianity. Eventually Christianity began attracting poverty stricken Romans who found Jesus' compassion for the lowly citizens favorable. Over time though the structure and message of Christianity became popular with upper class citizens as well. The finally under the emperor Constantine Christianity was established as the legal religion of the empire. At this point Christianity began disseminating among the conquered lands of the Roman empire. The spread of Christianity throughout the Roman empire is mainly responsible for the world wide propagation.
For the first three centuries of the Roman Empire, many Romans believed that Christianity was a form of atheism because it rejected the divinity of the emperor. Some even thought new Christian religion was treasonable because it spoke of a kingdom of heaven that was distinct from Roman empire. Eventually Roman governor of Judea tried and crucified Jesus, because he was a threat to religious and political stability. The Christian religion then offered faith in a god and began to attract the poor Romans, but later on more powerful classes began to join. The benefit of this new religion offered greater freedom to women, and the use of Greek mythology. After all of this the Christian religion swept its way across the Roman empire and emerged as the state religion.
ReplyDeleteGood summary, but a few areas warrant more detail i think. For example, how was Jesus a threat to political stability do you think?
ReplyDeleteWhat, do you think, may be the reasons Xianity began to attract wealthier romans?
Not all of these questions can be answered based on what is in the chapter, but it is a good skill to try and make educated guesses.
Although in modern times the Roman Empire is often associated with Christianity (i.e. Roman catholics), on the front end of the empire's development it actively rejected the ideology behind the religion. For almost the first three centuries of Rome's existence, Christianity was not accepted. The Romans found Christianity unfavorable for two main reasons. First, the Christian religion rejected the divinity of the emperor. Second, Christianity stated that there was a kingdom of heaven that was distinct from the secular world, which contradicted the ideology of the state at the time. The Roman government viewed Christianity as a threat to the state, and so finally the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate tried and crucified Jesus. The Roman government at first made an effort to resist Christianity. Eventually Christianity began attracting poverty stricken Romans who found Jesus' compassion for the lowly citizens favorable. Over time though the structure and message of Christianity became popular with upper class citizens as well. The finally under the emperor Constantine Christianity was established as the legal religion of the empire. At this point Christianity began disseminating among the conquered lands of the Roman empire. The spread of Christianity throughout the Roman empire is mainly responsible for the world wide propagation.
ReplyDelete