Development and Spread of
Monotheism
Mr. Stikes
What is monotheism?
• Monotheism: belief in one god
• Major monotheistic religions today:
– Judaism
– Christianity
– Islam
Brief History of Monotheism
• First major monotheistic religion:
– Zoroastrianism
• Remember?
Zoroastrianism
• Zoroaster
– Priest, worshipped a god named Ahura Mazda
• Ahura Mazda is worshipped as the only god
• Ahriman is opposite of Ahura Mazda
– Followers have a moral choice
• To do right or wrong
– Right = Supportive of Ahura Mazda
– Wrong = Against the wishes of Ahura Mazda
– Good deeds are rewarded, bad deeds are punished
• People have only themselves to blame for their position in life
– Holy book is called the Avesta
What happened to Zoroastrianism?
• Still practiced in some form in parts of Iran
• Has since been replaced by other
monotheistic religions based on Judaism
• Why?
– Lack of expansion?
Three Great Monotheistic Religions
• Also called Abrahamic Religions
• Islam, Christianity and Judaism
• All trace their heritage from Abraham.
• Figures in common – Abraham (through son
Ishmael for Islam, Isaac for Christianity and
Judaism), Noah, Adam, Moses
Common Characteristics
• We will identify 9 common characteristics
that are shared by the Abrahamic religions
1. Monotheism
• All three religions are monotheistic
• Jews and Muslims sometimes claim the doctrine
of the Holy Trinity (adopted by the majority of
Christians) constitutes polytheism.
Common Characteristics
2. A prophetic tradition (tradition of prophets)
•
All three religions recognize figures called
"prophets“
•
•
Prophet: A person who speaks by divine inspiration or as
the interpreter through whom the will of a god is expressed.
The lists of prophets differ, as do the interpretations
of the prophetic role.
3. Semitic origins
•
Began in the Middle East
•
•
Semitic = “Middle East” + Origin = “Beginning”
Judaism and Christianity originate in the Jewish
populations, while Islam originated among Arabs
respectively.
Common Characteristics
4. A basis in divine revelation rather than, for
example, philosophical speculation or custom.
•
Divine Revelation: God reveals himself to a man, who
then teaches others
•
Divine = “Godly” + Revelation = “to show or reveal”
5. An ethical orientation (importance of ethics)
•
•
Ethics: A theory or a system of moral values
All three religions speak of a choice between good
and evil, which is associated with obedience or
disobedience to a single God.
Common Characteristics
6. A linear concept of history
•
Begins with the creation and the concept that God
works through history.
vs.
7. Association with the desert
•
some scholars believe has influenced the
development of these religions
Common Characteristics
8. Acceptance of some of Judaism's
religious obligations found in the Bible
as a spiritual devotion to the traditions of
Abraham and not Moses by Christianity
and Islam, including those which have
parallel accounts in the Qur'an, such as
the stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and
Moses.
Common Characteristics
9. Redemption
•
A belief that includes God redeeming the
World and a resurrecting the righteous.
Judaism
Name of Religion: Judaism
Monotheistic or Polytheistic? Monotheistic
Who is worshipped (Name of god/God)?
Yahweh (Hebrew word for God)
Is not generally written down or said aloud
Judaism
• Holy Book/Scriptures: Torah (first five
books of the Bible)
• How was the religion founded? History
began with the creation of man, the first
five books of the Bible detail the struggle
of the Jews and of the Patriarchs –
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and Moses,
who led the Jewish people out of slavery
in Egypt
Judaism
“Father” of the religion: Abraham
Major City (why is it important):
Jerusalem –
Where the temple was, site of Western
(Wailing) Wall
Judaism
Major divisions of the religion:
Orthodox – believe that the Torah is the word of
God and unchanging
Conservative – Jewish law is always changing with
the times, Torah inspired by God, not dictated by
God
Reform – Rejection of ceremonial Jewish law,
Jews should pick what they believe – Judaism
as a religion not as a race or culture
Judaism
Who is a member? Anyone born to a
Jewish mother and any convert – once a
Jew, always a Jew
How do they pray? 3 times daily, a fourth
on the Sabbath and holidays
Where do they worship? Synagogue
Judaism
What holy days do they recognize?
Weekly – Shabbat - weekly day of rest
lasting from shortly before sundown on
Friday night to shortly after sundown
Saturday night, commemorates God's day
of rest after six days of creation. No work
allowed on Shabbat.
Judaism
What holy days do they recognize?
3 Pilgrimage Fesitvals – Passover,
Pentecost, and Tabernacles
High Holy Days – Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur
Other – Hanukkah and Purim
Judaism
What makes this religion unique?
In many places in the world, to be “Jewish”
is to be not just someone who follows the
Jewish religion, but also a separate Jewish
race and culture. Jewish people have
customs that are unique and make them
stand out, such as wearing of a Yarmulke,
following certain dietary regulations and
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
Christianity
Name of Religion: Christianity
Monotheistic or Polytheistic? Monotheistic
Who is worshipped (Name of god/God)?
God
Christianity
Holy Book/Scriptures: Bible
How was the religion founded? Jesus of
Nazareth preached that he was the Jewish
Messiah (around 30 A.D.). His followers,
called disciples, spread his teachings
throughout the Roman world.
Christianity
“Father” of the religion: Abraham
Major City (why is it important):
Jerusalem
Site of Jewish temple
Place of Jesus’ crucifixion
Christianity
Major divisions of the religion:
Roman Catholic – Recognize the supremacy
of the Pope; original branch
Orthodox – split from Catholics over icons
Protestant – split from Catholics over
corruption and reform measures
Christianity
Who is a member? Varies; generally defined
as anyone who claims to be a member
How do they pray? Varies
Where do they worship? Church, Basilica,
Temple, Cathedral
Christianity
What holy days do they recognize?
Weekly – “Sabbath” – From the Jewish
tradition. Varies in date, but for most is on
Sunday.
Major Seasons – Lent, Advent
Major Holidays – Christmas, Easter
Christianity
What makes this religion unique?
Variety – understand that Christianity is very
fractured. There are many different
versions throughout the world. In the
United States especially, Christianity is
very difficult to define.
Islam
Name of Religion: Islam
Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
Monotheistic
Who is worshipped (Name of god/God)?
Allah (Arabic word for God)
Islam
Holy Book/Scriptures: Qur’an (Koran)
How was the religion founded? Gabriel,
an angel, appeared to Muhammad in
Mecca around 610 A.D. and provided
revelations that became the Qur’an
Islam
“Father” of the religion: Abraham
Major Cities (why each is important):
Mecca Site of Muhammad’s revelation, Kaaba
Medina Muhammad’s flight (hijra) from Mecca
Jerusalem Site where Muhammad went to heaven
Islam
Islam
Major divisions of the religion:
Sunni – believe that central authority could
be passed from Muhammad to any
learned Muslim
Shia – believe that central authority should
be passed to those related to Muhammad
(or, later, chosen by Allah)
Islam
Who is a member? A person who believes in and
consciously follows Islam; called “Muslim”
Generally, this involves following the Five Pillars of
Islam:
1. Testimony of faith
2. Prayer
3. Almsgiving/Charity
4. Fasting
5. Pilgrimage
(Kalima)
(Salat)
(Zakat)
(Sawm)
(Hajj)
Islam
How do they pray? 5 times a day
(pre-dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, evening)
Where do they worship? Mosque
Islam
What holy days do they recognize?
Weekly – Friday (Jumu’ah) – prayer meeting
at noon
Major Seasons – Ramadan, Hajj
Major Holidays – Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Fast
Breaking), Eid al-Adha (Festival of
Sacrifice)
Islam
What makes this religion unique?
The importance of universality of
community and family
Spread of Judaism
• The Hebrew nation – “Israel” – is
decentralized at first
– Forms first after the Exodus from Egypt
– Relies on interaction between 12 tribes
• Leaders are chosen when needed,
amongst those who seem to be ordained
by Yahweh
– Gradually a permanent monarchy is
developed
Spread of Judaism
• Israel eventually splits into two kingdoms
– Israel, the 10 northern tribes
– Judah, the 2 southern tribes
• These are turned into vassal states by the
Assyrians (600’s B.C.E.) and conquered by
the Babylonians (597 B.C.E.)
*
– The Babylonians deport the Judaic king and
many of societies elite (they are sent to Babylon)
– The Babylonians destroy Solomon's Temple (1st)
“Babylonian Captivity” or “The Exile”
Spread of Judaism
• After the Persian conquest of Babylon, the
Jewish exiles are allowed to return and
construct the 2nd Temple in 516 B.C.E.
• After Alexander the Great’s conquest (332
B.C.E.), the Jewish people become
increasingly Hellenized
*
– Hellenized: made like the Greeks
Spread of Judaism
• Hellenized Jews begin to move throughout
the Eastern Mediterranean
– They take Judaism with them
• Israel eventually falls under the control of
the Romans
*
– Jewish revolt – A.D. 70 – Romans destroy the
2nd Temple
“Diaspora”
• Diaspora:
*
– Dispersion of Jewish people from Israel
throughout the remainder of the world
• 2 main time periods:
– Babylonian Exile
– Roman
• Result: Spread Judaic ideas to major cities
throughout Europe and the Middle East
*
– Jewish beliefs are known to many
Diaspora – Hellenistic World
• Shows
dispersion
of Jewish
culture
through
the
Hellenistic
World
Later Diasporas
• Map to the right
– Shows expulsion of
Jews from areas of
Europe
• Map to the left
– Movement of
Jewish
populations
throughout
Europe
Jewish Enclaves
• Jews from the Diaspora eventually settled
in eastern Europe and Asia
*
• The Kingdom of the Khazars, in what is
today Russia, converted to Judaism
around A.D. 800
– This empire lasted until almost A.D. 1000,
when it was conquered by the people of
Kievan Rus
Khazars
Land
of the
Khazars
Spread of Christianity
• Early
– Spreads from Israel, thanks to efforts of early
followers
*
•
•
•
•
Paul – throughout Hellenistic world
Thomas – east to Mesopotamia, Iran and India
Mark – south to Africa
Peter – to Rome
Spread of Christianity
• Persecution followed the spread
*
– Martyrs – people who chose to die rather than
give up their beliefs
– Why?
• Monotheism went against accepted norm = polytheism
• Urban religion = concentrated in cities
*
– Why?
• Travel, high concentration, etc.
Spread of Christianity
• Conversion of Rome
– Constantine
*
• Battle of Milvian Bridge (28 October 312)
– Constantine v. Maxentius, over being Emperor
(Augustus) of Western Empire
– “By this sign, you will conquer”
» Soldiers paint cross on shield?
• Protector of Christianity
*
*
– Edict of Milan, A.D. 313
» Religious toleration in Empire
– Death-bed convert to Christianity
• Convenes Council of Nicea (A.D. 325)
– Uniformity in Church (Nicene Creed)
» Arianism
Spread of Christianity
• Arianism:
*
– Denied divinity of Jesus
• Jesus as less than God
– Declared heretical by Council of Nicea
• Heresy: an unorthodox belief which is not
recognized by the mainstream faction of a religion
– Constantine’s Role in Arianism
• Christianity as State Religion
– Christians had to get along!
Spread of Christianity
• Conversion of Rome
– Theodosius
*
• Makes Christianity the official religion of Roman
Empire
– 27 February 380
Spread of Christianity
• Early Church “Fathers”
– Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354-430)
*
• North African
• Famous Works:
– City of God: Contrasts good living with bad
living
– Confessions: Augustine’s conversion
Spread of Christianity
• Early Church “Fathers”
– Ambrose of Milan (A.D. 337-397)
• Helps convert Augustine
– Jerome (A.D. 347-420)
• Translates Bible into Latin (Vulgate)
Spread of Christianity
• Organization
of Church
Patriarchs
(Rome, Constantinople,
Alexandria, Antioch,
Jerusalem)
Patriarch at Rome eventually
assumes title of Pope and claims
to be head of all other churches
Bishop
Bishop
(Leads a diocese)
(Leads a diocese)
Priest
Priest
Priest
Priest
(Leads a parish)
(Leads a parish)
(Leads a parish)
(Leads a parish)
Spread of Islam
• Muhammad dies in A.D. 632
– Who is his successor?
– Caliph: supreme leader of Islam, chosen as
successor to Muhammad
• Expansion under Muhammad
– Conquers much of Arabian peninsula for
Islam
Spread of Islam
•
First Four Caliphs
DID YOU KNOW: All four of the Rightly
Guided Caliphs were related to Muhammad?
Muhammad married the daughters of Abu Bakr
& Umar and both Uthman & Ali were married to
a daughter of Muhammad
“the Rightly Guided Caliphs”
– Chosen for life, close friends/relatives of Muhammad
1. Abu Bakr
(A.D. 632-634)
•
•
Collects writings which will become the Qur’an
Gained territory in Syria and southern Iraq
2. Umar ibn Khattab
•
Harsh ruler, gained territory in Iraq and Iran
3. Uthman ibn Affan
•
(A.D. 644-656)
Authorized official version of Qur’an, had all others destroyed
4. Ali ibn Abi Talib
•
(A.D. 634-644)
(A.D. 656-661)
Opponent of Uthman, reign marked by revolt amongst supporters
of Uthman
Spread of Islam
• Umayyad Dynasty
(r. 661-750)
– Members of family favored by Uthman
– Begins with Muawiya, who rebelled against Ali
• Muawiya was Governor of Syria
• Moves capital to Damascus, present day Syria
– Spreads from Spain to India
• Why?
– Jihad (Holy war to spread Islam
– Weakened Byzantines, Persians & North Africans
Umayyad Caliphate at
Greatest Extent
Spread of Islam
• Division of Islam under the Umayyads
– Sunni/Shia split
• Shia, in Iraq, only recognized leaders from the family
of Ali (leads to persecution under the Umayyads)
Central Question leading to the split:
Was the Caliph a spiritual leader or a political leader?
• Sunni, the majority, recognized any capable leader
Spread of Islam
• Division of Islam under the Umayyads
– Other divisions
• Leads to rise of Sufi Islam, or Sufism
– Inward, mystical practice of Islam
– Development caused by “worldliness” of the Umayyads
– Use prayer, meditation, fasting and spiritual writing to
connect directly with God
Spread of Islam
• Fall of the Umayyads
– Discontent, especially among the Shia
and non-Arab Muslim populations
• Why? Emphasis on single Muslim culture
– Revolt, from A.D. 747-750
• Overthrows Umayyad dynasty, makes
Abu’l-’ Abbas the new Caliph, first of the
Abbasid dynasty
Spread of Islam
• Abbasid Dynasty
(A.D. 750-1258)
– Move capital to new city of Baghdad
– Emphasized diversity instead of insisting on
everyone accepting Semitic Arab culture
– Gradual decline of Muslim state
Spread of Islam
• Culture
– Language: Arabic
• The Umayyads forced all conquered peoples to
use Arabic
• The Qur’an is read in Arabic
– Family:
• Limited polygamy allowed – Men could have up to
four wives if all were treated equally
Spread of Islam
• Culture
– Status of women
• Allowed to own property & divorce her husband
• Influential in government and arts
– Education
• Boys entered school at age 7
• Free for the poor, those who could afford it had to pay
• Madrassa – theological school, for higher education
Spread of Islam
• Trade
– Empire sits between Europe, Africa and Asia
– Main goods/routes:
EUROPE
Buyers bring goods to
Europe through Italy
UMAYYADS / ABBASIDS
Locally made:
Spices, Textiles,
Glass, Carpets
AFRICA
Gold, Ivory, Slaves
CHINA
Silk
INDIA
Rubies
SOUTHEAST
ASIA
Spices
Spread of Islam
• Agriculture
– Variety of crops
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wheat
Rice
Beans
Cucumbers
Celery
Mint
Almonds
Blackberries
Melons
Apricots
Figs
Olives
Cherries
Apples
Pears
Bananas
Flowers
• Farming Methods
– Crop Rotation
CROP C
CROP A
CROP B
– Irrigation
Spread of Islam
• Advancements
– Literature
• Translation of many texts
• Qur’an
• One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights): Sinbad the Sailer,
Ali Baba and the Forty Theives
• Kalila and Dimma: animal fables that present moral lessons
• Libraries: Vast numbers; at Cordoba, Spain (over 500,000 books)
– Astronomy and Geography
• Improved astrolabe
• First accurate maps of Eastern hemisphere
• Ibn Battuta (A.D. 1304-1369): famous writer, wrote about his
travels
Spread of Islam
• Advancements
– Mathematics
• Adopted Gupta place value system and zero
• Invented algebra, developed trigonometry
• Expressed equations to define curves and lines
– Chemistry and Medicine
• Develop alchemy (lead into gold?)
• Founded optics (study of light & sight)
• al-Razi (A.D. 865-925): classified objects as
animal, mineral or vegetable
• Ibn Sina (A.D. 900’s): Canon of Medicine,
summarized medical knowledge at the time