Rise of Christianity and Islam……

• 100 A.D. Christian churches had been established throughoutthe Eastern Roman empire and parts of the Western Empire.

•Romans viewed the new church as harmful to the publicorder because Christian would not worship Roman gods. TREASON

• Christians were persecuted under Nero (54-68 A.D). They were blamed for the fire that destroyed most of Rome.

Church is strengthened- • The Christian church becomes more organized due to these persecutionsand a new clergy (church leaders) is formed. These new leaders camedirectly from the church membership.•Laity-

Followers- • Christianity was more personal than the old Roman religion• It offered eternal life and salvation• People had a sense of belonging • It appealed to every class of people and was especially attractive to the poorand powerless.

Constantine became the first Christian emperor. In 1313 his Edict of Milanproclaimed official toleration of Christianity. Under Theodosius the Great,the Romans adopted Christianity as their official religion.

Rise of Christianity and Islam……

• Roman Divided-Constantine was the soul emperor of Rome when be began his largest project, Constantinople (the NEW ROME). This becamethe Eastern Roman Empire.

-The policies of Diocletian and Constantine were based on controland coerion. -Diocletian and Constantine divide the empire into two parts and itlast for 100 more years. -Eventually the Huns from Asia moved into Eastern Europe causing theGerman Visigoths to move south into Roman territory. They defeatedThe Romans in 378 A.D. Rome is sacked by German tribes many timesthroughout the next century.

Rise of Christianity and Islam……

The Arabs and Islam

• The Arabs were nomadic and lived in the Arabian Peninsula. This area is harsh desert with little water. The climate was the reasonthey were always on the move.

•Early Arabs herded sheep and farmed on the oases of the ArabianPeninsula.

•Caravan trade was very popular and it expanded into Arab regionsand towns. These areas grew to carry goods between the IndianOcean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Rise of Christianity and Islam……

• Arabs trace their ancestors to Abraham and his son Ishmael, who were believed to have built a shrine at Mekkah (Mecca.)

•They recognized a supreme god named Allah (Arabic for “God”) but also worshipped other tribal gods.

Muhammad

• The prophet Muhammad is born into a merchant family in Makkah. He becomes a caravan manager and marries his boss, Khadija.

Rise of Christianity and Islam……

The Prophet Muhammad

• Muslims believe that Muhammad received revelations from God whilemeditating in the hills. Muhammad came to believe that Allah hadrevealed himself partially through Moses (Judaism) and Jesus (Christianity)but his final revelations were to him.

• These revelations became the Quran.

• After preaching for three years trying to convince the people of Makkahhe only had 30 followers.

Rise of Christianity and Islam……

• After much discouragement he moved to Yathrib which was laternamed Madinah (Medina.) The date of this journey, 622 A.D., is theknown as the Hijrah. It is the first year of the Muslim calendar.

•In 630 Muhammad returned to Makkah with 10,000 solider and thecity surrendered. Many of the residences converted to Islam.

•Muhammad died in 632 A.D. leaving a split in the religion. The Sunni regard Ali (Muhammad’s cousin) as the fourth on the listof rightful leadership after the death of Muhammad. The Shias feltthat Ali was the first in line for the job because of his directlyfamily succession. This is still a source of tension in the religion to this day.

Rise of Christianity and Islam……

Difference in Christianity and Islam…

• both religions are monotheistic and promise salvation in the afterlife•Muhammad is NOT considered divine, as Jesus is in the Christian religion.•Muslims follow an ethical code comprised of the “Five Pillars of Islam.”

- There is no deity but the One God and his Prophet Muhammad is his messenger.- Muslims must prescribe prayers five times a day.- Muslims must give part of the wealth to the poor- Muslims fast (refrain from food and drink) during the holy month of Ramadan- Each Muslim must make a pilgrimage to Mekkah at least once in their lifetime.

Rise of Christianity and Islam……