Jesus Studies: Historical and Sociological Analysis

Geography of Ancient Rome

• Rome is present-day Italy in Southern Europe
• The city was built on seven hills near the Tiber River
• It would become the capital of one of the largest empires in world history or "ancient Rome"

Italy's Physical Features

• Italy is a peninsula, a landform mostly surrounded by water
• The Italian Peninsula resembles a high-heeled boot on a map
• Italy has several islands, including Sicily and Sardinia
• Mountains and hills are most of Italy's landscape
• The Alps, Europe's largest mountain range, surround Italy's northern border
• The Apennines extend across the Italian Peninsula's center
• Multiple rivers flow from the mountains, including the Po, Amo & Tiber River.

The Influence of Italy's Geography on the Ancient Romans

• Rome's location with access to freshwater and Italy's climate created good conditions for farming
• Hills, mountains, and seas acted as natural barriers to protect Rome from invasion
• The Mediterranean Sea gave Romans access to trade routes and civilizations beyond the Tiber River

"The Romans" of Ancient History

• Ancient Rome included more than just the city of Rome and the Italian Peninsula
• At its peak, Rome possessed 2 million square miles (5 million square kilometers) in Europe, Asia & Africa
• The territories were divided into provinces led by Roman governors
• People in Greece, Gaul (France), Spain, Britain, Egypt, North Africa, Asia Minor, Syria, and Mesopotamia were considered "Romans" during this period because their territories were provinces of ancient Rome

Ancient Rome at Its Maximum Size

• The Roman Empire contained all or parts of 47 modern-day countries at its height

Religion of Ancient Rome

• Ancient Rome accommodated multiple religions among its provinces
• Romans practiced polytheism or the worship of many gods
• Roman religion was influenced by ancient Greek Mythology
• Followers tried to please the gods through prayers, sacrifices, temples, and festivals
• Monotheism or the belief in a single god, became more widespread with religions like Judaism and Christianity

Roman Mythology's Influence By Greece

• The Greeks established colonies in Italy and Sicily during the 700s BCE and encountered the Romans
• The Romans conquered Greece in 146 BCE but adopted Greek gods over centuries and gave them Roman versions; Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva were the 3 most important

The Importance of Mythology to the Romans

• Romans used mythology to explain the unkown and create great stories about the city
• The founding of Rome involved twin brothers Romulus and Remus
• Romulus and Remus were abandoned as babies in the Tiber River River
• A wolf rescued the brothers, and shepherds adopted them
• Romulus and Remus helped restore their grandfather through conflict
• Later, Romulus and Remus fought about where to build their own settlement.
• Romulus killed Remus, founded Rome and became first king
• Later, Romulus and Remus said to descend from Aeneas, who led the Trojan War after it ended

Religious Disagreement Among Roman Provinces

• Some provinces, like Judea in Southwest Asia, did not agree with the religions of Rome
• Romans believed in polytheism and that emperors were gods
• The Jews believed in the existence of one singular God
• Rome conquered Judea in 63 BCE, including its holy city Jerusalem
• Most Jews were upset as they were losing independence and being governed by another civilization
• Statues of Roman gods and emperors were built on holy grounds in Jerusalem, and angered Jews.
• Romans collected taxes from Jews and spent it elsewhere, resulting in many Jewish people living in poverty

Judea's Response to Rome

• Jews rebelled against the Romans in the Roman-Jewish Wars, including the Great Revolt (66-73 CE) and Bar Kokba Revolt (132-136 CE)
• The Romans won both wars, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and severely punished the surviving Jews
• The Roman army burned the Second Temple, the most sacred place of worship in Jerusalem, and stole valuables
• Jerusalem was largely destroyed
• Enslaved Jews were sent to Rome and forced to fight as gladiators or work on huge building projects like the Colosseum

Consequences of the Roman-Jewish Wars

• Emperor Hadrian created policies to wipe out Judaism like forcing Jews to leave Jerusalem
• Jews were forbidden to enter Jerusalem, except once a year.
• The Torah and Hebrew Calendar were banned across Roman territories
• The temple to Jupiter was built on the site of the Second Temple
• Jerusalem was rebuilt and renamed Aelia Capitolina in Hadrian's family name
• Judea's name was changed to Syria Palaestina, named after the Philistines

The origins of Christianity

• Christianity began around 30 CE from the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth
• It evolved from Judaism, with followers practicing and believing in only God
• Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah and God in human form
• Jesus is known as Jesus Christ in Christianity because "Christ" is the Greek translation for "Messiah"

Christian Traditions

• Christian beliefs are recorded in the Bible
• The Bible is divided into the Old and New Testament; writings including accounts on Jesus
• The first four books in the New Testament are called the Gospels, which present stories about Jesus.
• The other New Testament books are epistles, which are letters written by followers to the first churches

Jesus of Nazareth

• Historians get nearly all they know about Jesus from outside sources
• He was born between 6-4 BCE. in a town
• Jesus grew up in the city of Nazareth
• He was a carpenter at the beginning of his life
• He became a teacher teaching about God in a region located between modern-day Israel and Lebanon

Jesus's Ministry

• Jesus spent three years traveling from Galilee to Judea to spread his message about the kingdom of God
• According to the Bible, Jesus performed miracles, making some believe he was the Messiah
• Some miraculous actions included walking on water, instantly healing people's illnesses, and feeding a large crowd with only five loaves of bread and two fish.
• Jesus often taught his followers important lessons through short parables
• A famous parable is the Good Samaritan, in which Jesus explains that people should show love and compassion to everyone
• Jesus named twelve of his followers his Apostles, and they became the first people to spread Christianity after his death
• One of the Apostles named Peter would become the first leader of the Christian Church

Opposition to Jesus

• Jewish religious leaders disagreed with Jesus's teachings
• Jesus was arrested in Jerusalem during the Jewish holiday of Passover
• Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, ordered Jesus to be crucified
• Crucifixion involved nailing a person to a wooden cross
• According to the Bible, after three days, Jesus resurrected
• Jesus taught the Apostles that he was going to Christian heaven

Jesus's Sacrifices and Beliefs

• Jesus stated that the most important commandments from the Hebrew Bible were to love God and love one's neighbors
• Christians are taught to love the sick, the poor, the outcasts of society, and even enemies.
• Jesus sacrificed his life as payment for the sins of all Christians
• If they are faithful to Jesus and his teachings, Christians believe they will gain heaven after death
• Christians believe in God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus

How Christianity Spread

• Jesus's Apostles began his teaching to other Jews after his death.
• A Jew named Paul played a large role in spreading Christianity outside Judea
• Paul made three journeys across Roman provinces to establish Christian churches
• He wrote most of the epistles within the New Testament
• Paul was first major Christian leader to share with non-Jews
• The Roman government considered Christianity a threat because of Roman gods
• Roman officials persecuted Christians over several centuries.
• Persecution meant mistreating and punishing people because their religion
• Roman emperor Constantine converted in 312 BCE
• The Edict of Milan was issued and legally recognized the religion and stopped persecuting Christians
• Constantine organized Christian leaders called bishops at the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE to discuss the details of their religious ideas

Christian Emperors

• Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of ancient Rome in 380 CE

Roman Public Roads

• The Romans built a network of public roads spanning across 50,000 miles
• Tunnels and rivers helped the roads keep straight
• Roman armies traveled efficiently
• Goods and ideas were able move efficiently
• Unity was created amongst different groups of people
• The roads are still in operation today

Vitruvius

• Roman architect believed buildings must be executed in a was as to take use of durability, utility and beauty
• Roman ruins visible today were beautiful to look at, roman useful buildings lasted for 2000 years

Architectural Achievements

• Amphitheatres - Entertainment events
• Aqueducts - Carried water to cities from mountains
• Basilicas - Large gatherings
• Triumphal Arches - Grand entrances
• Homes - Gardens and fountains
• Walls - Defense in war

Roman Accomplishments

• Art often included sculptures, mosaics, and paintings
• Since the empire was so large, there was a range in the style of art created.
• Romans showed people as they actually were and not flawless
• Romans copied sculptures from ancient greece

Language in Ancient Rome

• Latin language was spoken by people who lived around Tiber River
• The Romans spread and became the official language
• The Romance languages such as french became available after the fall of Rome
• Used in European education

Historical and Scientific Literature

• Biography - Plutarch was a writer and wrote Parallel Lives
• Natural History - Pliny the Elder wrote an encyclopedia
• Satire - Roman Poet made fun of living in Rome.
• Poetry - Virgil
• Astrnomy - Claudius Ptolemy
• Oratory - Cicero was a skilled public speakers
• Medicine - Claudius Galen

Government of Ancient Rome

• The Government in Ancient Rome evolved as time passed
• There are three main phases in the government: the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire

Facts on Roman Government

• There are inaccurate facts about Romulus made believe by Ancient Historians
• Seven kings ruled Rome.
• Early Kings was chief of army and judge
• Final king was Tarquin the proud ruler

Early Roman Empire Facts

• Republic is a type of government
• Dictators given almost all power
• Cincinnatus was most popular dictator
• Romans divided into two groups
• Plebians were not able to participate in government
• Polices of Roman Republic inspired modern government

Facts on Roman Republic

• To correct some challenges, Romans created a government between three parts
• Magistrates were elected officials each with own responsibilities
• Grouped into Senate of rich
• Common people of rome were protected

Republic Laws

• Republic prevent one group of people becoming powerful
• Senate proposed new law magistrates had to approve
• Roman leaders beloved in the rule of law
• People frustrated that they didn't know laws
• Twelve tables became a part of that
• Women and enclosed were not aloud

Roman Citizens

• Adult made received birth at parents birth
• citizens could pay taxes and serve in military
• Rome expanded so they would get pay

Fall of Roman Republic

• Romans fought city during Punic wars
• Romans more land army continued to new territories
• Romans few wealthy new problems emerged
• Gracchus wanted to create farms public lands low income
• People did not to help
• Spartacus former gladiator led revolt
• Crassus Pompey and Caesar worked together

Caesar's Leadership

• Julius Caesar was one of the most talented roman general they made more land
• Pompey and allies told Caesar to give up army
• Caesar had to lead army to Italy
• Romans would get more from taxes

Facts on emperors

• After returning from to Rome dictator for ten years
• Became dictator for life
• Senate angry attacked and killed Caesar
• Marc Antony took power
• Committed suicide
• He would give power to senate

New Senate and Pax

• 27 BCE - he would give up is power to seem humble
• Kept most of the power to self
• Senators gave him a name "Agustus" - honoured one
• Begging of Roman empire
• Increased water supply to Rome and built roads

Pax Romana

• "Pax Romana" was 200 years long
• Time that most things were expanding
• Increased Roman access to trade

Known Rulers of Rome

• Nero
• Augustus
• Tuberius
• Claudius
• Vespasion
• Titus

Final Stages of Roman Empire

• Did stay that way for long:
• The Pax Romana ended due to increased spread and weaker
• starting with the emperor Commodus.
• Emperor Diocletian split Roman empire
• Constantine reunited empire moved Roman Capital

Final Thoughts

• Difficult to maintain
• Groups began Inavind lands
• Less food and people had to hire tribes
• The Byzantine Empire

Economics

• Farmers with the Italian Peninsula's citrus fruits
• Drank wine regularly, most of the food consumed was bread
• Men would control larger quantities of land after buying out other males
• Government would collect all income's in the Rome areas
• Rome could not feed population, only Italy could provide it therefore they required trade.
• Rome gradually expanded rivers and road to transfer through empire
• Rome acquired luxury limes.

Currencies

• Rome created coins were to encourage use
• Metal
• Common for them was denarius
• Government helped trade with Rome
• banks helped loan business

Major Economic Problems

• Policies allowed for Roman's to get extra wealth compared the to the conquered
• Couldnt get new resources to fund
• Decreased amount of sliver of amount

Society Laws

• Ancient Rome was known as patriarchy
• Women were responsible for take kids and care
• Rome did not not like other in the government
• Children were restricted to help out families
• Only the wealthy had formal education

Patrician vs Plebeian

• Patrician made of power in the army
• plebeian worked as commoners
• Both dresses different to tell each other apart
• Roman empire did not provide and real care

Role of Military

• A roman was considerer
• Rome slaves people
• Conditions varies per people enslaved

Romans Customs

• Military plays central role in culture
• Organized to foot soldiers
• Acted judges
• Many are stationed

Popular Romans

• Forum center
• Socialise
• Romans would battle to the death
• Chariot racing was popular

Explore Jesus' life through a historical lens, examining primary sources and cultural context. Investigate his teaching methods and impact as a charismatic leader. Analyze religious conversion and compare Jesus to other religious figures.