Pax Romana and The Rise of Christianity

1
Pax Romana and The Rise of Christianity
2
Pax Romana

• Roman Peace
• Over 200 years of relative peace and prosperity
  in the Roman Empire
• 27 B.C. to AD 180

3
Jesus

• Teachings were seen as a threat to Roman
  Authority
• Arrested by Pontius Pilate (Roman Governor)
• Crucified (tortured to death) starting
  Christianity

4
Christianity Spreads

• Hebrews who believed in teachings of Jesus spread
  his word across the Roman Empire
• Pax Romana made travel and communication easy

5
Diaspora

• Disperse or Dispersal
• Jewish rebellions attempted to break free of Rome
• Rebellions put down harshly many killed (1
  Million)
• Jews were driven out of homeland and into exile
  Diaspora

6
Persecution

• Christians did not believe in Roman gods
• Seen as scapegoats for political and economic
  troubles as Pax Romana fell
• Christians were crucified, burned, and killed by
  wild animals in arenas for sport/show

7
Constantine

• Ended persecution of Christians in AD 313 and
  adopted Christianity (tolerated practice in Roman
  Empire)
• It was now OK to be a Christian in Rome