Transcript Catacomb of Priscilla. Fractio Panis.

Introduction to History of Christianity
1. History of Western
Christianity timeline.
2. Persecutions &
martyrdom.
3. Martyrdom of
Perpetua & Felicitas
History of Western Christianity Timeline
2nd- 5th c. The Patristic Period
2nd -beg. 4th c. Early Patristic Period
mid. 4th c.-5th c. Late Patristic Period
6th- 15th c. The Medieval Period
6th-11th c. The Early Medieval Period
12-13th c. The High Middle Ages
mid 14th c. Renaissance
16th-20th c. The Modern Period
16-17th c. Reformation Period
18-20th c. Post-Reformation Period
18th c. Enlightenment
21st c.-present The “Postmodern” Period
Map 2nd c.
Jupiter (Zeus) Capitolinus
Olympic gods
Family altar in a pagan house.
Pompei, 79 A. D
Emperor Cult
Octavian
Augustus
• Julius Caesar
divinized after his
death
• Temples dedicated
to the genius of
emperors
• Test of civil duty:
Caesar is (divine)
Lord!
Julius Caesar
Ironies of history…
the cult of the emperor revived
Julius Caesar
(100-44 BC)
Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924)
Persecution of Christians under Nero
• Time: 64 AD
• Place: Rome
• Occasion: the great
fire in Rome
• Nero blamed the fire
upon Christians
• Christians burned as
torches & used as
gladiators
Emperor Nero (54-68)
Tertullian complains about common pagan
sentiments:
If the Tiber reaches the
walls, if the Nile does not
rise to the fields, if the sky
does not move [drought], or
the earth does [earthquake],
if there is famine, if there is
plague, the cry is at once:
‘Christians to the lion!’
Pagan caricature of the Christian God
Map 2nd c.
Catacombs of Callistus. Gallery
Eucharist or funeral agape?
Woman in prayer
Inscription over the Tomb of SS. Perpetua and Felicitas
St. Perpetua & St. Felicitas
Questions
• Perpetua’s dialogue
with for
her father.
• Felicitas’ dialogue with the
prison guard (15)
reflection
Visions of the afterlife
– Perpetua’s Ladder (4)
– Perpetua’s brother (7-8)
– Saturus’ vision (11-13)
– Perpetua the Gladiator (10)