paul - missionary diocletian - emperor constantine - emperor rome and the rise of christianity
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PAUL - MISSIONARYDIOCLETIAN - EMPEROR
CONSTANTINE - EMPEROR
Rome and the Rise of Christianity
Paul – Christian Missionary
Early Life Never met Jesus Jewish lawyer who persecuted Christians before
converting after a visionSpread of Christianity
Spreads quickly during the Pax Romana Missionary who spread Jesus’s ideas to Greece and
Italy Main points:
Christ is divine; Son of God Redemption through faith in Christ
Paul the Apostle
What do you think the line around his head represents? The book?
THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY (PAUL)
CONTRADICTED ROMAN PRACTICES AND THE POWER OF
THE ROMAN EMPEROR
Roman Problems after the Pax Romana
1. Foreign invasions 1. Attila the Hun and Mongols pushing Germans into
Roman territories
2. Mercenaries 1. No one more volunteers for army
3. Government too large to function1. 70 million people/three continents
4. Importance of “Rome” marginalized1. People don’t care about the glory of Rome
Diocletian’s Response
Gov’t splits into two – Eastern ½ & Western 1/2 Tetrarchy – “Rule by Four”
Each half ruled by an emperor and junior emperor Oriental influences
Made emperor a god-like figure Disconnect between rulers and ruled; emperor and
everyday citizens Persecution of Christians
Christianity seen as a reason the empire was weakening – contrary values
Try and unite Rome through attacks on Christians and almost wipe out Christianity
Diocletian’s Tetrachy
Constantine
Battle of Milvian Bridge Battle to reunite the empire and abolish the tetrarchy
in 312 AD Prayed for intervention before battle – saw sign
Symbol for Christ – Chi and Rho Won battle and ended persecution of Christians with
the Edict of Milan in 313 AD
Constantinople
Relocates capital to Byzantium and renames it Constantinople
Impact on Pope Pope is sole figure in Rome
Pope becomes religious AND political figure Allows Christianity and the Catholic Church to grow in
power
Impact on Christianity
Nicene Creed Meeting between all important bishops Goal: Create a standard set of Christian beliefs Effect: Create a unified religion that is easy to spread
Sunday is official day of worship Affirmed divinity of Christ and importance of the Trinity
Building Projects Donated money to build churches
St Peters in Rome and Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem
Baptism Baptized on death bed – removed sins Sets standard/okays the idea of publicly being Christian
St Peter’s Basilica today
Roman Empire soon after Constantine’s rule
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