Section 4: The Rise of Christianity

Early Empire Includes Diverse Religions

In the early days of the empire, most Romans were polytheistic.

Rome tolerated the various religions of its subjects.

Many Jews did not want to be ruled by Rome and rebelled in A.D. 66.

Rome put down the rebellion and destroyed the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

Jesus Proclaims His Teachings

At the age of 30, Jesus began preaching and performing miracles of healing.

He called himself the Son of God , and many Jews looked upon him as the messiah.

Out of fear of rebellion, the Romans crucified him.

The Message of Christianity Spreads

Jesus’ followers spread Christianity, first among the Jews of Judea and then throughout the Roman world.

Paul was the most influential among them.

The emperor Theodosius made Christianity Rome’s official religion.

The Early Christian Church Develops

The Christian church required that a person be baptized in order to join.

Women worked as missionaries but could not serve as clergy.

The bishops of the important cities became powerful in the Church, with the bishop of Rome coming to serve as the pope.

Roman Expansion

Spread of Christianity