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Christianity and the Roman Empire
In this lesson, students will identify characteristics of the Christian religion and the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire.
Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:
Christianity
Jesus of Nazareth
Emperor Constantine
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The Romanshad conqueredthe Jews. TheJewish people
believed that theirGod would send
them a greatKing or Messiah to
lead them topolitical freedom.
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Jesus
• Jesus was a carpenter.
• At the age of 30, he began preaching.
• He preached that God loved all people equally and that his followers should love even their enemies.
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His followers believed that Jesusperformed miracleslike raising the deadand healing the sick.
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Trouble with the Government
• After three years of preaching, Jesus’ popularity frightened some Jewish leaders.
• It was rumored that Jesus’ followers would rebel against the Roman authorities.
• Such a rebellion would cause suffering and hardship among the conquered people.
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The Crucifixion
• Jesus was betrayed, crucified, and died.
• His followers believed that he rose on the third day after his death.
• His followers believed that Jesus was resurrected.
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Cultural Diffusion and Christianity
• After Jesus’ crucifixion, his followers spread his teachings.
• Paul brought Jesus’ teachings to the Gentiles or non-Jewish people.
• Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire.
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Emperor Constantine
• Initially, the Romans persecuted and even killed Christians.
• However, over time, even some of the Roman elite became Christians.
• Emperor Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity.
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Questions for Reflection:• Who was Jesus of Nazareth and what did
he preach?• Why were some government officials
concerned about Jesus?• What did the Romans do to Jesus?• Define resurrection.• What happened to Christianity after the
death of Jesus?• Who was Constantine and why was he a
significant Roman Emperor?