Jillian Kurzmann's Blog 5/7/18

Jillian Kurzmann
5/7/18
Honors Western Civilization

Today in class, we took notes on the powerpoint.


  • "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
    • Both Jews and Christians were monotheistic.
    • They refused to worship Roman gods.
    • Early in the Pax Romana, it was easy to travel and spread ideas (Paul wasn't the only one who did so).
    • Poor, desperate Romans were a receptive audience.
  • The "problem" with monotheism.
    • But Jews and Christians were sometimes persecuted by Roman authorities, since monotheism contradicted Roman Law.
    • They could be exiled, imprisoned, executed, crucified, burned, or killed by wild animals.
    • This would happen as things began to go wrong for the Roman Empire and scapegoats were "needed".
    • Scapegoat: Aaron confessed Israelites' sins over a goat, then sent the goat to carry the sins away symbolically.
  • The appeal of Christianity
    • Christianity grew because
      • Embraced all people
        • men and women
        • enslaved people
        • The poor (and nobles).
      • Gave hope to the powerless
      • Appealed to those who were disgusted by imperial Rome's decadence.
      • Offered a personal relationship w/ loving God.
      • Promised eternal life after death.
  • Conversion of Constantine (AD 312)
    • Roman emperor Constantine has a vision before the Battle at Milvian Bridge.
    • Sees an image in the sky of a cross and the words "Ev Toutw Nika" ("In this sign, conquer").
    • Orders troops to put a cross on shields...
    • Then they win!
  • Edict of Milan in AD 313
    • Christianity becomes a religion which is recognized/ approved by the emperor.
    • It continues to gain strength.
    • By 380, it becomes the empire's official religion.
    • Chi-Rho (first two letters of "Christ" n Greek).
  • Decline of the Roman Empire 
    • While Christianity strengthens, Rome weakens.
      • Military- too weak to defend huge area.
      • Economy- taxes too high; widening gap between rich and poor; trade disrupted.
      • Social- who cares about public affairs?, disloyalty; population decreases.
      • Political- division of the empire (Constantine moved the capital to Byzantium).
    • The last Roman emperor was in 476
      • a 14 year-old boy named Romulus Augustus

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