Babylonian Captivity and Papal Schism Quiz

The Babylonian Captivity of the Jewish People

• After the capture of Jerusalem, tens of thousands of Jewish people were exiled from Judah
• Historians disagree about the exact date of the Babylonian Captivity, with sources suggesting 597 BCE or 586 BCE
• The Jewish people were forcibly moved to Babylon and faced pressure to conform to Babylonian culture
• Despite the circumstances, they maintained their religious traditions, including prayer, dietary restrictions, and laws
• The captivity lasted either 48 years or 59 years, and ended in 538 BCE when Persian King Cyrus the Great allowed their return to Jerusalem

The Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy: Timeline and History

• Prior to the papacy being located in Avignon, the pope was considered the religious authority over all Christians
• Pope Boniface VIII's involvement in French politics led to conflict and the papacy's move to Avignon in 1305
• The Avignon papacy was influenced by French power and lasted until 1378, during which the Knights Templar were suppressed

The Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy: The Schism of the Church

• Pope Gregory XI's decision to return the papacy to Rome led to a schism, splitting the Catholic Church
• The church faced disorganization and weakened authority due to the schism, with two popes and ongoing arguments
• The majority supported the pope in Rome, while the pope in France had fewer supporters and was referred to as the antipope

The Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy: Conclusion

• The Council of Constance in 1414 elected a new pope, Martin V, effectively ending the schism
• The event was significant as one of the few times multiple popes ruled at once, impacting the authority of the Catholic Church