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Polytheistic

Incorporated gods of many cultures

People show loyalty by honoring Roman gods and the emperor

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Excused from worshipping Roman gods

Waiting for messiah (savior)

Absorbed many Greek customs

Want a return to tradition & a revolt against Rome

Saduccees - favored cooperation with Romans

Pharisees - Non violent goal of free Judaea

Essenes - Awaited the Messiah to save Israel from oppression

Zealots - Anti-Roman extremists – advocated overthrow of Roman rule

Jew from Galilee, preached from about AD 30 – 33

Believed in Jewish roots

Monotheism

Ten Commandments

Mosaic law – the Old Testament & Moses

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Preached a new message than had been heard before

Said he was the Messiah and Son of God

Salvation was available to all believers

His Sermon on the Mount becomes the moral teaching of Christianity

Jewish leaders felt challenged

Romans afraid he could lead rebellion

Arrested and crucified

Followers said he rose and ascended to heaven

Disciples spread teachings to other Jews

The Apostle Paul converts, preaches to non-Jews & sets up new churches across the Roman Empire

Christians suspected of disloyalty & evil practices

Blamed for social ills of the Roman Empire

Numbers grew anyways due to inclusion and devotion to beliefs

Attractive to all classes

Did not discriminate by sex or class

Women could participate

Promise of salvation for all

Organized with bishops leading each area

Emperor Constantine converts in 312

The Edict of Milan issued by Constantine in 313 gave freedom of worship to Romans

Issued in 380 AD

Made my Emperor Theodosius

Made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire

Why do you think Christianity was able to grow in Rome despite the persecution of early followers?