Transcript Pax Romana and The Rise of Christianity

Pax Romana
and
The Rise of Christianity
Pax Romana
• Roman Peace
• Over 200 years of relative peace and
prosperity in the Roman Empire
– 27 B.C. to AD 180
Jesus
• Teachings were seen as a
threat to Roman Authority
• Arrested by Pontius Pilate
(Roman Governor)
• Crucified (tortured to
death) starting Christianity
Christianity Spreads
• Hebrews who believed in teachings of
Jesus spread his word across the Roman
Empire
• Pax Romana made travel and
communication easy
Diaspora
• Disperse or Dispersal
• Jewish rebellions
attempted to break free
of Rome
• Rebellions put down
harshly many killed (1
Million)
• Jews were driven out of
homeland and into exile
Diaspora
Persecution
• Christians did not believe in
Roman gods
• Seen as scapegoats for
political and economic
troubles as Pax Romana fell
• Christians were crucified,
burned, and killed by wild
animals in arenas for
sport/show
Constantine
• Ended persecution of Christians in AD 313
and adopted Christianity (tolerated
practice in Roman Empire)
• It was now OK to be a Christian in Rome