Episode 3 Waypoints in Church History

The Coliseum and Christian Martyrs

Dr. Ann T. Orlando

Waypoint Timeline

• Hymn: Phos Hilaron

• Theme: Church in time of martyrdom

• Focus moves from Jerusalem to Rome

Coliseum (Colosseum) Introduction

• Construction started by Roman Emperor Vespasian in 71 AD– Completed by his son,

Emperor Titus

• Greatest arena in antiquity– Site of Roman games– Execution of criminals,

including Christian martyrs– Site of greatest gladiatorial

contests

Pre-History of Coliseum• Coliseum stands on land the Emperor

Nero (15-68) wanted for his massive Golden House (Domus Aurea)

– Roman fire of 64 AD was said to have been started by Nero to clear land to expand his Golden House

– To still public outrage, Nero claimed the Christians set the fire

– St. Peter tries to flee Rome (Quo Vadis)

– St. Paul and St. Peter were executed as a result

• Vespasian, Roman general fighting against the Jews, became Emperor after Nero committed suicide in 68 AD

– To show that he was better than Nero, Vespasian tore down much of the Golden House and built a public theatre, the Coliseum

Typical Day in Coliseum

• Morning: Animal Fights• Noontime: Public

Executions– Includes Christians

• Afternoon: Gladiators• Example: Emperor Trajan

used 11,000 wild animals and 10,000 gladiators to celebrate his triumphs in 107 AD

Roman Persecution of Christians after Nero

• Romans did not really care if Christians worshiped Trinity– But expected all Roman

citizens to also worship Roman gods

– Failure to do so was impious and treasonous

• Romans become increasingly suspicious of Christians from the end of the 1st until the beginning of the 4th C

Christian Martyrs

• Martyr comes from the Greek, witness• Possible Christian responses to persecution

– 1. Intellectual: Apologies written to justify Christianity to Roman authorities

– 2. But, if you believed that Jesus only appeared to be human (docetists), then there seemed little reason to be a martyr yourself

– 3. Some did not have the courage when accused, and so apostatized

– 4. Facing torture and death without apostasy; often even looking forward to martyrdom eagerly as a proof of solidarity with Jesus

Example: St. Ignatius of Antioch

• Early Bishop of Antioch• Antioch one of most

important cities in antiquity– Place where Christians were

first called ‘Christian’– Both Peter and Paul

associated with first Christian Church in Antioch

– Antioch prides itself on having St. Peter as its first bishop

Ignatius Taken to Rome

• Arrested in Antioch c. 110 AD

• Taken to Rome by command of Emperor over land and on prison ship

• Writes letters to seven Christian communities along the way

Ignatius’ Letters

• Importance of suffering in imitation of Christ– Opposed to those who did not think Christ suffered (Smy

2.1)• Importance of Bishop (Eph 5.1-2)

– The truth is taught and passed down from one Christian generation to the next

– Unity of Church– Eucharistic

• Witness during time of persecution (Rom 4.1-2)• First time Christian Church is called ‘Catholic’ (Sym

8.1-2)• Ignatius’ Letters were frequently referred to by

subsequent bishops and theologians, and he is quoted in CCC

Martyrdom of Ignatius

• Died during reign of Trajan c. 110 AD

• By tradition he died a martyr in Rome– Likely in Coliseum as part

of lunchtime entertainment

• We remember Ignatius among the martyrs in First Eucharist Prayer

• Feast Day, October 17

The Coliseum Today

• After Roman Empire fell, most of the grand ancient buildings also deteriorated

• Marble from the Coliseum was taken over the centuries for other purposes, leaving only the underlying stone structure

• Coliseum is one of the most iconic tourist sites in Rome

• Every Good Friday the Pope Leads the stations of the Cross in the Coliseum

Next Waypoint

• St. John Lateran Baptistery

Websites for Episode 3

• Pope Benedict XVI, Ignatius of Antioch, General Audience, March 14, 2007, available at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20070314_en.html

• Catholic Encyclopedia, Ignatius of Antioch, available at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07644a.htm

• Recommended English translation: Kenneth Howell, Ignatius of Antioch, A New Translation and Theological Commentary (Zanesville, OH: CHResources, 2008)