• Characteristics: polytheism, mythologies, animal sacrifices to please the gods

• The Romans were very tolerant of foreign religions.

• When the Romans conquered foreigners, they often added their gods to the Roman religion. This is why they had so many Greek gods with Latin names.

What are some characteristics of traditional Roman religion?

What was the Roman religion similar too?

ReligionTraditional Roman Religion

ReligionTraditional Roman Religion

• The gods had faults. They were believed to behave like humans.

• The Roman Empire had a cult to the Emperor, who was eventually seen as a living god.

• People in the empire were required by law to offer sacrifices to the emperor.

What were Roman Gods like?

What did Romans start believing about the emperor?

What were people required to offer to the emperor?

ReligionTraditional Roman Religion • When the Romans included

Judea (Holy Land) to its empire, things began to change.

• Jews refused to offer sacrifices to any god other than their God.

• The Romans did not like this, but gave them special permission.

What did the Jews refuse to do?

ReligionChristianity - Origin • Christianity began with the

teachings of Jesus of Nazareth around the year 33 A.D.

• Location: Judea (Holy Land)• Christianity is a religion

that grows out of Judaism. • Early leaders of Christianity

were the Apostles. Peter and Paul being the most important.

When did Christianity begin?

Who started Christianity?

Where did Christianity begin?

Who were two important leaders of Christianity?

ReligionChristianity - Beliefs • Jesus of Nazareth is the Son

of God (which means he is God)

• Monotheism: God is a trinity: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is perfect.

• Jesus is both completely God and Human

• Jesus was sent by the Father to save humanity from its sins.

According to Christians, who is Jesus?

What do Christians believe about God?

Why was Jesus sent by God the Father?

ReligionChristianity - Beliefs • The Jews of Jerusalem

forced the Romans to crucify Jesus for claiming to be God.

• Christians believe that after Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus rose from the death in three days, and later ascended into heaven.

What do Christians believe happened after the crucifixion?

ReligionChristianity - Beliefs • According to Christians,

people are to have faith in Jesus and follow him.

• The Bible is Christianity's sacred text. It contains the holy writings of the Jews (Old Testament) and early Christian writings (New Testament).

What do Christians believe people must do in order to be saved from their sins?

What is the name of the sacred text of Christianity?

ReligionChristianity - Diffusion • The apostles travelled

throughout Judea and Roman empire spreading the Christian Gospel (good news) among the Jews.

• Paul of Taurus focused much of his missionary work on the gentiles (non-Jews).

What did the apostles do?

What did Paul do?

ReligionChristianity - Diffusion • Just like the Jews,

Christians refused to offer sacrifices to the emperor.

• The Romans saw Christians as insubordinate and began to punish them.

• Peter and Paul were martyred (to die for the faith) in Rome.

What did the Romans do to the Christians? Why?

ReligionChristianity - Diffusion • When Constantine became

emperor he passed the Edict of Milan, which allowed Christianity to exist in the empire without punishment.

• Not long after Constantine’s death, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

What did the Edict of Milan do for Christians?

Who was an important person in the spread of Christianity?

Choose 6 of the 101. What are some characteristics of traditional Roman religion?2. What did Romans start believing about the emperor?3. Who started Christianity?4. Where did Christianity begin?5. What do Christians believe about God?6. Why was Jesus sent by God the Father?7. What do Christians believe people must do in order to be saved

from their sins?8. What did Paul do?9. What did the Edict of Milan do for Christians?10. Who was an important person in the spread of Christianity?