Judeo-Christian Tradition
CA World History Standard 10.1
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Rome is in Italy
Roman Empire ruled most of Europe as well
as territory in Asia and North Africa.
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Borrowed heavily from the Greeks.
The combined ideals of the Greeks and Romans
are known as the Greco-Roman tradition.
Greco-Roman Tradition placed an emphasis on
rule of law.
These shared ideals spread throughout the
Roman Empire and mad a lasting impression.
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To make laws known to
everybody Romans posted their
laws in public on the 12 Tables.
As their empire expanded,
Roman system of law spread.
Many of their laws and practices
are in use throughout the world
today.
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Veto—one branch of govt. can check or block a
law made by another branch.
Senate—name of Roman legislature and is
name of one of the 2 houses in the U.S.
legislature.
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Who was the Greek who gave a famous speech
on the importance of civic duty in a
democracy?
A = Pericles
The Greeks are considered to be the first people
to practice which form of government?
A = democracy
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Why did Plato distrust direct democracy?
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A = voted to kill his teacher Socrates.
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What form of government did Plato prefer?
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A = Republic (representative dem.)
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What was the term Plato used for the ideal leader
who was chosen by the people because of his talent
(rather than getting his position on inheritance)?
A = Philosopher King
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Aristotle’s belief that laws should apply to everybody (even
rulers) is called?
A = rule of law.
The shared beliefs and customs of the Greeks and Romans
are called what?
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A = Greco-Roman Tradition.
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How did the Romans make their laws known to the public?
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The 12 Tables.
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What are two things in the U.S. constitution that came
originally from the Romans?
A = veto and the Senate.
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Religion of the ancient Israelites
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People also referred to as Hebrews
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Considered the first monotheistic religion
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According to the Bible, God made a
covenant (agreement) with Abraham.
It was:
1. God had chosen to have a special
relationship with the Jews (thus they
are the “Chosen People”).
2. Jews were to worship and obey
God alone
3. God, in turn, would provide the
land of Canaan (the “Promised Land”)
as place for the Jews to live.
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Book of Exodus tells how
Moses led the Jews out of
Egyptian slavery to the
“Promised Land” of Canaan.
During this 40-year journey,
God gave Moses the Ten
Commandments.
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Set of laws that are the basis of Judeo-Christian
Beliefs.
1st four stress religious duties (such as keeping
the Sabbath).
Other six address conduct towards others
(“Thou shall not kill” or “Steal,” etc.)
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Personal morality = All people need to practice
ethical behavior.
Social Justice = Rich and powerful should
protect poor and weak.
ALL PEOPLE ARE EQUAL BEFORE GOD.
Everybody—even leaders—must obey laws.
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Judaism is considered to be the first religion to do
what?
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A= worship one god (monotheism).
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Jews believe they are all descendants of whom?
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A = Abraham
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What is the deal the Jews have with God called?
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A = Covenant.
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How did God tell the Jews the rules he wanted
them to follow?
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A = 10 commandments.
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What are the basic tenets of Judaism?
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A = ethical behavior and everybody is equal
before God.
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Ancient Jews believed that
God would send a Messiah
(savior) to deliver peace and
freedom .
When the Jews were being
ruled by the Romans, a man
named Jesus of Nazareth
claimed to be the Messiah.
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A.k.a. Jesus Christ
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Founder of Christianity
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Born to a humble Jewish family
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Taught sincerity of belief, rather
than strict observance of
religious laws, was what
mattered most.
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Very popular amongst the poor.
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Claimed to be the Messiah.
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Said that he was the “son of God.”
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Jesus angered conservative
Jewish leaders because he
questioned tradition and their
authority.
Jesus angered the Roman
authorities because he was a
threat to their rule.
Pontius Pilate, the Roman
governor of Jerusalem, arrested
Jesus.
Jesus was found guilty of
blasphemy and treason and
sentenced to death by
crucifixion.
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According to the gospels, Jesus rose from the
dead and told his apostles to spread his
teachings.
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1st person to spread the
word of Jesus to nonJews.
Paul is the person most
responsible for spreading
Christianity throughout
the Roman Empire.
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At first, Christians were
oppressed by the Romans.
Over time, though,
Christianity was tolerated
within the empire (Edict
of Milan)
The emperor Theodosius
eventually made
Christianity the official
religion of the Roman
Empire.
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Christianity developed from Judaism (Jesus was a
Jew!)
The Christian Bible is a combination of the Jewish
Bible (the Old Testament) and the stories of the life
and teachings of Jesus (the New Testament).
The shared beliefs and customs of the two religions
are referred to as the Judeo-Christian Tradition.
The main belief being that all people are equal
under God and that all people need to practice
proper ethical and moral conduct.
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After the fall of the Roman Empire, the
Christian Church eventually split as well
(1054).
The Eastern Orthodox Church became the
church of Christianity in the Middle East and
Eastern Europe.
The Catholic Church (centered in Rome)
became the church of Christianity in Western
Europe.
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The Catholic clergy (church officials) consisted
of the following hierarchy:
A. Pope
 B. Bishops
 C. Priests.
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People began to become disenchanted with the
Catholic Church during the 1400s.
Main Reasons:
a. Church sold offices.
b. Selling of indulgences.
c. Unholy lives of church officials.
On the whole, the Catholic church seemed most
concerned with money and power.
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German Priest
Criticized corrupt
practices of the
Catholic Church.
Said “faith” was all that
was needed to get to
heaven.
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What were some of the criticisms of the
Catholic Church?
Who was the main figure in publically
criticizing the corruption in the Catholic
Church?
A = Martin Luther
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1517 in Wittenburg,
Germany
Luther posts a list of 95
criticisms (theses) of the
Catholic Church.
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Luther is kicked out of the Catholic Church.
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Many people form churches based on Luther’s ideas.
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These new Christian churches are called Protestant
Churches.
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Protestant Reformation = reforming churches.
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Takes place in northern Europe.
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John Calvin—Swiss Church Reformer.
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Shared many ideas with Luther.
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But believed in Predestination
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Predestination=God has already decided who
is going to heaven.
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Proof Read!
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Use past tense when writing about the past.
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Avoid vague pronouns.
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Plato did not like democracy. He thought
people shouldn’t be allowed to vote for all of
the laws because they are uneducated. Plato
thought it should be a republic.