Transcript 8. Ch 7.5 Notes

Fall of Rome: Movie Clip
1. How did Commodus
contribute to the fall of Rome?
2. How did the difference
between rich and poor contribute
to the fall of Rome?
3. How did Christianity disrupt
the Roman social structure and
their way of life?
Chapter 7 Section 5:
The Rise of
Christianity
in the
Roman
Empire
Religion in the Roman Empire
Practiced
Polytheism
Allowed for religious tolerance
–Must honor the gods/emperor of
Rome
Jews and the Roman Empire
 Jews:
Lived in Judaea
 Zealots: Wanted own independent
state
– Lead a rebellion against Rome (66-70 A.D.)
Rebellion
Jerusalem
crushed in
–Destroyed the 2nd Temple
–Wailing Wall (Sacred)
•135 A.D.= Jews banned from
Jerusalem
Wailing Wall
Wailing Wall
Christianity
►Jesus
of Nazareth: teacher
who wandered the countryside
with disciples (followers)
Performed miracles
Defended the poor
One of greatest influences in
Western world
Teachings of Jesus
►Teachings:
Jewish tradition
One God/Love God above all else
God cares for all: rich & poor
Forgiveness & eternal life for
those who accept it
Teachings found in 1st 4 books of
the new testament
•Mathew,
Mark, Luke and John
Rome and Jesus
*Romans: threatened by Jesus
 Lead
to an uprising
*Pontius Pilate: Roman Governor
who executed Jesus
*Christians: Believe Jesus rose from
the dead (Resurrection)
Central
belief of new religionChristianity
Spread of Christianity
*Beliefs spread throughout
empire
–Paul
*Rome outlaws Christianity
(100 A.D.)
–Threat to Roman societal structure.
–Christians persecuted
*Martyrs: killed b/c of their
beliefs
Romans adopt Christianity
*300 A.D. Church too big: Rome
accepts Christianity
*Constantine (312 A.D.)
–Declared support/baptized on
deathbed
*Theodosius (391 A.D.)
–Made Christianity official religion
of the empire
Roman Christianity
*Roman Christian church began
to organize
*Priests – Bishops – Patriarchs –
Pope
*Peter – 1st Pope
*Council of Nicaea:
 Trinity
Pope Benedict XVI
Popemobile!