Unit 2 Ancient Greece and Rome

1. Chapter 6 Ancient Rome and Early Christianity Unit 2 Ancient Greece and Rome

2. The Rise of Christianity • Roman religion was the worship of many gods • Impersonal • A new religion called Christianity emerged • Started as a movement within Judaism • Emphasized personal relationship between God and people

3. Jews Come Under Roman Rule • The Roman Empire expanded to Judea, home of the Jews, in 63B.C. • Plans to “Romanize” Jerusalem • Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea – approximately 6B.C. • Jew and Roman subject • Carpenter • Began public ministry at age 30

4. Jesus’ Message • For 3 years Jesus preached, taught, did good works, and performed miracles • Emphasized God’s personal relationship to each human being • 12 special disciples were to spread his teachings – Apostles • Appealed to many people • Growing popularity concerned Jewish and Roman leaders • Sentenced to death

5. Spread of Christianity • After Jesus’ death, the apostles, led by Peter, spread his message. • Jews created a new religion called Christianity that spread throughout the Roman Empire • Christianity was easily spread • Era of PaxRomana – made travel and the exchange of ideas safe • Excellent Roman road system • Common languages

6. Jewish Rebellion • A.D. 66 a group of Jews rebelled against Rome • A.D. 70 Romans stormed Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple • 500,000 Jews were killed • Most Jews were driven from their homeland into exile • This spread of Jews was called the Diaspora

7. Persecution of Christians • New Christians refused to worship Roman gods • Roman leaders blamed economic and political troubles on Christians • Many Christians were exiled, imprisoned, and put to death for their beliefs • Martyrs - people willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of a belief or a cause

8. Appeal of Christianity • Christianity grew into a world religion because it: • Embraced all people • Gave hope to the powerless • Appealed to those who were exiled by Rome • Offered a personal relationship with a loving God • Promised eternal life after death

9. Constantine • A.D.312 – Roman emperor Constantine believed he had a vision from God • Ended the persecution of Christians • Edict of Milan – declared Christianity to be one of the religions approved by the emperor • In A.D.380 Christianity became the empire’s official religion

10. The Decline of the Roman Empire • A series of weak rulers led to the fall of the Roman Empire • Economic problems • Hostile tribes and pirates on the Mediterranean disrupted trade • Frequent wars – expensive and destroyed farmland • Government raised taxes – many poor farmers became jobless • Government minted more coins • Inflation – drastic drop in the value of money with a rise in prices • Overworked soil lost its fertility

11. The Decline of the Roman Empire • Military problems • Germanic tribes constantly attacked the empire • Barbarians • Discipline and loyalty collapsed • Soldier gave their loyalty to the commander who was fighting for the throne • Recruited mercenaries – foreign soldiers who fought for money • No sense of loyalty to the empire

12. Emperors Attempt Reform • A.D.284 Diocletian, an army leader, became Roman emperor • Restored order to the empire • Absolute ruler – he limited personal freedoms • Divided the empire into the Greek-speaking East and the Latin-speaking West • Shared authority but kept total control • Diocletian slowed the decline of the empire

13. Constantine and the End of the Empire • Gained control of the Eastern and Western parts of the empire • Restored single ruler in A.D. 324 • Moved the capital of the empire from Rome to Constantinople • Western part of the empire fell to Germanic invasion • Attila the Hun – united the Huns, a nomadic tribe from central Asia