E.Q. In what ways can an “alien” [foreign] culture be a force of change?

Aim: What kinds of influence/impact did syncretism have on varying cultures throughout classical age civilizations? Do Now: 1. Please show proof that you conducted the HW. - Separate the FR from the other HW assignments – create

TWO PILES.2. If you were not here yesterday, please see

pupilpath/skedula for all class work/handouts.

Rome in the New Testament• Gospel of Matthew: the miracle

involving the son of the centurion• The Role of Pontius Pilate and the

Romans in the Crucifixion of Jesus• Gospel of John: The reference is

probably an anachronism, having in mind the outcome of the final destruction of the temple of Jerusalem

• The Pentecost• Acts of the Apostles• Letter to the Romans• Rome is portrayed as the violent

occupying force.

All Roads Leads to Rome

What does the College Board wants you to know about Christianity? This is the biggest religion on earth. There are over 2 billion Christians out

there: • The whole thing started in the Middle East [Judea = Israel] as a local Jewish

carpenter claimed to be the son of God. • He was later crucified by the Romans [not by the Jews – often blamed –

scapegoats] .

• According to the Christians, three days later, he came back from the dead and then went to heaven. – This story has had a massive influence on the rest of history. – This is also (besides Buddhism with Ashoka and Siddhartha) the only religion that

requires you to know TWO people in this era: Jesus and Constantine

• Christianity, based on core beliefs about the teachings and divinity of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded by his disciples, drew on Judaism, and initially rejected Roman and Hellenistic influences.

• Despite initial Roman imperial hostility, Christianity spread through the efforts of missionaries and merchants through many parts of Afro-Eurasia, and eventually gained Roman imperial support by the time of Emperor Constantine.

How did Christianity Spread?• The spread of Christianity is not linear

• Rather, it is very gradual, and happens over a long period of time.

• It starts from Jewish Synagogues and private homes

• The initial enclaves expand with time

• As it expands, it becomes more hierarchical

How the Roman world contributed to the Spread of Christianity

• Pax Romana = 200+ years of peace

• The unification of the three sides of the Mediterranean, relative safety in the sea routes, and the Roman road network facilitated movement. Paul alone is believed to have covered 10,000 miles in terms of travel.

• The widespread use of common languages (Greek in the East and Latin in the West) facilitated communication and the spread of the message

• The religious and cultural syncretism of the Roman empire and the presence of so many religions allowed for the followers of Christianity to preach their message all around the Mediterranean.

• While Islam had to conquer its way through the Near East, Christianity found a world unified, ready and receptive

The reasons why Christianity Spread so Effectively

• Its message was egalitarian in many ways (including women, slaves, and all socioeconomic classes)

• It gave hope by promising a better life after death• It appealed to the masses of poor and destitute

inhabitants of large cities, but also to members of the upper classes who felt spiritually empty

• It promised equality and social justice, and offered a positive alternative to an uncertain and dangerous world

• Syncretism: Uncanny ability to adopt other cultures & adopt as its own. Think: Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc., to just name a few.