Roman Life, Christianity, Rome’s Fall
(100 BC- 400 AD)
I.
Roman Life
A. Homes
B. Paterfamilia
C. Religion
D. Fun
E. Slavery
II. Christianity
A. Rise
B. Persecution
III. Later Rome
A. Constantine
B. Why Fall? (476 AD)
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Key Terms
Domus
Larium
Insulae
Circus Maximus
Colosseum
Public Baths
Spartacus
Constantine
Council of Nicea
Theodosius
Barbarian Invasions
Bread & Circus
Homes-Domus
(Single-story homes for rich)
Atrium
(Often open to the
sky with a basin to
catch rainwater)
Larium
(A household shrine for special gods or
ancestors of the family)
Homes-Insulae
(Multi-story apartments for commoners)
Public Toilets-Not Much Privacy
(Open to men & women at same time)
Food/Diet
• Wealthy = Bread, meat & fish were common;
exotic meats, fruits & vegetables
• Poor = Bread; some vegetables, pork on rare
occasions
Roman Family
• Family = Paterfamilia
• All family authority
(including life & death) was
held by the father.
• Marriages were usually
arranged.
Mother & Child
• Mothers/women had
no political power, but
did exercise authority
over education of
children.
Religion
• Prayers were recited on a regular basis each
day.
Larium
(A household shrine for special gods or
ancestors of the family)
Religion
• Prayers were recited on a regular basis each day.
• Romans tolerated other religions, but all had to respect
Roman gods.
– Jewish temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD
– Jews were dispersed from Jerusalem in 73 AD
• Simply took Greek gods and renamed them.
Greek & Roman Gods
Greek
Zeus
Roman
Jupiter
Greek & Roman Gods
Greek
Hera
Roman
Juno
Greek & Roman Gods
Greek
Poseidon
Roman
Neptune
Fun In Rome
• Holidays:
• Workday:
160-170 per year
6-7 hours
Chariot Races
(At Circus Maximus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbQvpJsTvxU
Teams
Blue
Green
White
Red
Exotic Animals & Gladiators at
Colosseum
Public Baths
Rooms At The Baths
• Tepidarium
• Calidarium
• Frigidarium
Pont du Gard - Aqueduct
(France-178 feet high)
Slavery
• In 14 AD Italy’s population was 7.5 million;
1/3 were slaves (about 3 million).
• Most were former prisoners of war and
they worked producing food.
• 73 BC Spartacus led a slave rebellion; at
its height, it involved 120,000 men.
Christianity
• Grew out of Jewish belief a Messiah would
come one day.
• It is believed Jesus was born 4 BC.
• Message-all (including poor) could be saved;
established ethical standards.
• Jesus was seen as subversive to Roman
authority and executed around 29-33 AD.
Gospels
(Written 60-120 AD)
• Synoptic Gospels (meant to be read together)
– Mark (65-70 AD)
• Written while disciples were alive (could
have been contradicted); Goal = biography
– Matthew (85-90 AD)
• Goal = convert Jews; fulfills OT prophecy
– Luke (90-100 AD)
• Goal = convert non-Jews; several verses
taken word-for-word from Mark & Matthew
Gospels
(Written 60-120 AD)
• John (90-100 AD or later)
– Contradicts earlier Gospels in places
– Not biography; Goal = theological study
with Christ as redeemer/creator
Paul Of Tarsus
• Traveled throughout the entire Roman world.
– Used Roman road network.
– Koine-Greek trade language.
• Preached to Jews and non-Jews alike.
• Wrote to Christians all over the
Mediterranean world outlining religious
teachings/doctrine.
Persecution
• Labeled as Atheists because many would not
respect Roman gods.
• Appeared to have odd religious practices…
• Emperor Nero blamed Christians for the great
fire in 64 AD.
Christianity
• Greek letters for
word “fish”
abbreviated: “Jesus
Christ, Son of God,
Savior.”
Diocletian
1. Political Reform: The
Empire was divided into
four geographic regions
2. Social Reform:
Christianity was outlawed
3. Economic Reform: The
tax system was modified
and taxes increased
284-305 AD
Constantine
1. He consolidated power
and ruled by decree
2. The capital of the Roman
empire was moved to the
East— Constantinople
3. The practice of Christianity
was legalized
306-337 AD
They Might Be Giants
“Istanbul was
Constantinople”
http://vodpod.com/watch/3891206-istanbul-not-constantinople-
Theodosius
• Decreed Christianity
was the official religion
of Rome (380 AD).
379-395
Non-Christian Religions Prohibited
Temple & Statue of Zeus in Olympia
Temple of Zeus = Destroyed
Council of Nicea
(326 AD)
• There were many views as to the nature of
Jesus & Christian Doctrine.
• Constantine called all religious leaders (Bishops)
together
• Nicene Creed:
– Trinity: God, Jesus & Holy Spirit are one
– Virgin birth of Jesus
– He was crucified & rose from dead
Why Did Rome Fall?
(476 AD)
1. Barbarian Invasions
a) Roman army wasn’t what it used to be
2. Bread & Circus!
• People wanted “games” and free food.
They became consumers; not producers
3. Administrative problems-the empire was
simply too big to govern
A Better Question:
How/why was it able to last so long?
Roman Life, Christianity, Rome’s Fall
(100 BC- 400 AD)
I.
Roman Life
A. Homes
B. Paterfamilia
C. Religion
D. Fun
E. Slavery
II. Christianity
A. Rise
B. Persecution
III. Later Rome
A. Constantine
B. Why Fall? (476 AD)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Key Terms
Domus
Larium
Insulae
Circus Maximus
Colosseum
Public Baths
Spartacus
Constantine
Council of Nicea
Theodosius
Barbarian Invasions
Bread & Circus