Understanding Early Christian Concepts

Procurator

• An official in charge of a Roman province.
• Think "Pro" (professional) and "Curator" (caretaker).
• Example: Judaea was ruled by a procurator in A.D. 6.

Clergy

• Church leaders with specific roles in the Christian Church.
• Think "Clerks in the church."
• Clergy are like the church's leaders and managers.
• Example: The clergy spread Christianity by organizing and teaching.

Laity

• Regular church members, distinct from clergy.
• Think "Lay people live their faith."
• The laity are regular people who follow the church.
• Example: The laity helped spread Christianity through their daily lives.

Plague

• An epidemic disease that spreads quickly.
• Example: The third-century plague killed many people and caused economic collapse.

Inflation

• A rapid increase in prices.
• Imagine a balloon inflating—prices get bigger.
• Example: Inflation in Rome occurred as money lost value.

Edict of Milan

• Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 AD.

Jesus

• Founder of Christianity.
• His life and teachings marked the beginning of the new faith.

Peter

• One of Jesus' closest disciples.
• Considered the first Pope of the Catholic Church.

Paul

• Apostle who spread Christianity beyond Judaism, especially to the Gentiles.

Nero

• First emperor to persecute Christians, blaming them for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE.

Diocletian

• Implemented major reforms and led one of the harshest persecutions of Christians.

Constantine

• Legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan in 313 CE and supported its expansion.

Theodosius

• Declared Christianity the official religion of Rome in 380 CE.

Alaric

• Leader of the Visigoths who sacked Rome in 410 CE.

Attila

• Leader of the Huns.

Romulus Augustulus

• Last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.

Odoacer

• Germanic leader.

Rise of Christianity

• 1. Judaism in the Roman Empire: Jews had varied responses to Roman rule; Jesus of Nazareth preached, leading to Christianity.
• 2. The Teachings of Jesus: Emphasized love, humility, charity and salvation through faith in Jesus.
• 3. Christianity Spreads Through the Empire: Leaders like Peter and Paul established communities, and the message attracted followers.
• 4. Roman Persecution: Nero, Diocletian, and others persecuted Christians for rejecting Roman gods and emperor worship.
• 5. Roman Empire Adopts Christianity: Constantine legalized it; Theodosius made it the official religion.

Judaism in the Roman Empire

• Jews were divided on their response to Roman rule.
• Jesus, a Jewish teacher, preached a revolutionary message.

The Teachings of Jesus

• Love God, love others; practice humility and charity.
• Followers spread his message after his death and resurrection.

Christianity Spreads Through the Empire

• Leaders like Peter and Paul established Christian communities.
• People were drawn to the message of salvation and eternal life.

Roman Persecution

• Nero blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome.
• Refusal to worship Roman gods and emperor was a major cause for persecution.

Roman Empire Adopts Christianity

• Constantine legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan.
• Theodosius made it the official religion.

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

• 1. Political and economic struggles: instability, assassinations, weak rulers, economic hardship.
• 2. Reforms by Diocletian and Constantine: temporary help but restricted freedoms.
• 3. The End of the Western Roman Empire: Germanic tribes migrated, and invaders like the Visigoths, Vandals, and Odoacer weakened the empire.

How did the division of the Christian church into clergy and laity help spread Christianity?

• The clergy organised and led the church and the laity shared the faith daily, spreading the religion.

Differences between Roman state religion and Christianity

• Roman State Religion (polytheistic): focused on public rituals, emperor worship.
• Christianity (monotheistic): love, humility, salvation, rejected Roman gods.

How did a movement within Judaism lead to the development of Christianity?

• Jesus, a Jewish teacher, preached; his followers believed he was the Messiah, leading to a separate faith for both Jews and non-Jews.

Beliefs that define Christianity

• Monotheism (one God), love and forgiveness, salvation through faith in Jesus, resurrection, charity and humility.

How did Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, and what were the consequences?

• Spread: missionaries, Roman roads, martyrs, Edict of Milan.
• Consequences: unified people, became the official religion, gained power and influence.

How did the plague lead to an economic collapse in the third century?

• Labor shortages, decreased production, lower tax revenue.

What political factors led to the decline of the Roman Empire?

• Instability, weak leadership, corruption, division, civil wars, reliance on mercenaries.

How did economic and social reforms by Diocletian and Constantine affect the Roman Empire?

• Temporarily helped but also restricted freedoms and slowed growth.

Why did Germanic tribes migrate into Roman territory, and how did this affect the empire?

• Fleeing the Huns, invaded Roman territory, and weakened its strength from within.

Was the migration of Germanic tribes a significant factor in the fall of the Roman Empire?

• Yes. Political and economic weakness made the empire vulnerable to the attacks.