Transcript Internal Developments, External Expansion, & the

Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response
(Christianity in the 2nd to 3rd Century)
The Good Shepherd, Catacomb of Domitilla
The Christian Movement in the Second Century
I. Characteristics of the Movement
The Christian Movement in the Second Century
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
Orant figure from Priscilla Catacomb
The Eucharist was central to
early Christian worship and
often pictured in catacomb
frescoes.
Eucharistic fish and bread
Catacomb of St. Callixtus, Rome
Agape Feast
Catacomb of Saints Marcellinus and Peter
The Christian Movement in the Second Century:
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
Portrayal of Women, common in catacomb art
The Christian Movement in the Second Century:
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
1. Monepiscopate
The Christian Movement in the Second Century
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
1. Monepiscopate
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
The Christian Movement in the Second Century:
Internal Developments
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
1. Monepiscopate
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
The Christian Movement in the Second Century
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
1. Monepiscopate
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
B. 3 Parts to an Apology:
The Christian Movement in the Second Century
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
1. Monepiscopate
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
B. 3 Parts to an Apology:
1. refutation of specific charges
Internal Development, External Expansion & the Roman Response
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
1. Monepiscopate
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
B. 3 Parts to an Apology:
1. refutation of specific charges
2. attack on certain pagan beliefs and practices
The Christian Movement in the Second Century:
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
1. Monepiscopate
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
B. 3 Parts to an Apology:
1. refutation of specific charges
2. attack on certain pagan beliefs and practices
3. affirmation of superiority of Christianity over paganism
Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response
(Christianity in the 2nd to 3rd Century)
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
B. 3 Parts to an Apology
III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion
Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response
(Christianity in the 2nd to 3rd Century)
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
B. 3 Parts to an Apology
III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion
1. Eastern Mediterranean
2. Western Mediterranean
3. Beyond the Roman Empire
Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
B. 3 Parts to an Apology
III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion
IV. Roman Responses to Christianity
A. The Nature of Pagan Piety
Anti-Christian Graffiti:
“Alexamenos
is worshipping his god”
Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
B. 3 Parts to an Apology
III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion
IV. Roman Responses to Christianity
A. The Nature of Pagan Piety
B. Misconceptions
Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
B. 3 Parts to an Apology
III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion
IV. Roman Responses to Christianity
A. The Nature of Pagan Piety
B. Misconceptions
C. Persecution & Martyrdom
Early Christian Mosaic of St. Perpetua
Women as Heroines: Accounts of Women Martyrs
The Virgin-Martyr Agnes, Gold-Glass from fourth-century Rome
Certificate of Having Sacrificed to the Gods
(from persecution under Emperor Decius, c. 250
About 250 A.D., during the Emperor Decius’ short but furious persecution, persons
suspected of Christianity were evidently obliged to clear themselves by sacrificing to
the old gods, then taking out a certificate to protect themselves against further legal
proceedings. This example comes from a papyrus found at Oxyrhyncus.
To the Commissioners of Sacrifice of the Village of Alexander’s Island:
From Aurelius Diogenes, the son of Satabus, of the Village of Alexander’s
Island, aged 72 years: ---scar on his right eyebrow.
I have always sacrificed regularly to the gods, and now, in your presence, in
accordance with the edict, I have done sacrifice, and poured the drink offering,
and tasted of the sacrifices, and I request you to certify the same. Farewell.
-----Handed in by me, Aurelius Diogenes.
-----I certify that I saw him sacrificing [signature obliterated].
Done in the first year of the Emperor, Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus
Decius Pius Felix Augustus, second of the month Epith. [June 26, 250 A.D.]
Damnatio ad bestias!
To the lion!
The Christian Martyr
St. Sebastian
(in Renaissance imagination)
Internal Developments, External Expansion & the Roman Response
I. Characteristics of the Movement
A. Worship
B. Organization
II. Christianity Faces Society: The Rise of Apologists
A. Reasons for Writing
B. 3 Parts to an Apology
III. Geography of Early Christian Expansion
IV. Roman Responses to Christianity
A. The Nature of Pagan Piety
B. Misconceptions
C. Persecution & Martyrdom