YR 10 CHURCH HISTORY

SECTION ONE: THE ROMAN AGE

1-800 AD
0. INTRODUCTION
0.1 COURSE REQUIREMENTS

You will need:

 1B5

 Course workbook on your iPad (eBooks on SPCnet)

3
0.2 STRUCTURE
 You will study Church History through 4 eBooks
1. Rome 1-800
2. Middle Ages 800-1400
3. Revolutions 1400-1800
4. Modernism 1800-2000

 All eBooks found on SPCnet

 Each eBook will consist of 3 parts x 7 units = 21 units
 Thus there are 84 units in the year.
 Browse through the next four slides to get an overview of the course
 Section One: The Roman Age (1-800): Contents

0. Introduction

Part I. The Church is Born (1-313AD) Part III. The Early Middle Ages (500-800)
1. St Peter 15. St Benedict
2. Quo Vadis and Symbols 16. Monasticism; Romanesque Architecture
3. St Paul 17. Islam
4. Jewish Persecution 18. Christian - Islamic Relations
5. Council of Jerusalem 19. Celtic Christianity & Art
6. Imperial Rome 20. Conversion of the Barbarians
7. Roman Persecution 21. Eastern Christianity / Western Europe
Excursus: How to write an essay

Part II. Christianity Legalized; The Fall of Rome (313-500) Timeline, Key Terminology and Focus Questions
8. Constantine and the Edict of Milan - Roman Age Timeline
9. The Apologists - Roman Age Key Terminology
10. Christianity: the State Religion - Roman Age Focus Questions 1-21
11. Council of Nicaea (and further Christological Councils)
12. St Augustine
13. Fall of Rome/Survival of the East
14. Justinian
 Section Two: Middle Ages (800-1400): Contents

Part IV. Charlemagne (800-1100) Part VI. The Late Middle Ages (1250-1400)
22. The Papal States 36. Cosmology and Certainty
23. Charlemagne and the Carolingian Renaissance 37. Gothic Architecture
24. Feudalism; Romanesque Architecture 38. The Crusades
25. Cluny and Gregorian Reforms 39. Nationalism
26. Missions Outside the Mediterranean 40. Avignon / Western Schism
27. Eastern Schism 41. St Catherine of Siena
28. First Crusade 42. Christianity in Asia

Part V. The High Middle Ages (1100-1250) Timeline, Key Terminology and Focus Questions
29. Pope Innocent III and Papal Power - Middle Ages Timeline
30. St Francis of Assisi - Middle Ages Key Terminology
31. St Dominic - Middle Ages Focus Questions 22-42
32. St Thomas
33. Universities
34. Scholasticism
35. Pilgrimage
 Section Three: Revolutions (1400-1800): Contents

Part VII. Renaissance and Reformation (1400-1500) Part IX. Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, Saints (1600-1800)
43. Winds of Change 57. Thirty Years War
44. Renaissance Art 58. Scientific Revolution
45. St Peter’s Basilica 59. Enlightenment and the Catholic Church
46. Renaissance Popes 60. Century of Saints
47. Erasmus of Rotterdam 61. Age of Exploration and Missions
48. Martin Luther 62. American Independence / French Revolution
49. John Calvin 63. The Eras and the Ages

Part VIII. English Reformation; Trent (1500-1600) Timeline, Key Terminology and Focus Questions
50. Henry VIII - Revolutions Timeline
51. Thomas More - Revolutions Key Terminology
52. Henry’s Children - Revolutions Focus Questions 43-63
53. Early Religious Battles
54. Protestant Art
55. St Ignatius of Loyola / Baroque
56. Council of Trent
 Section Four: Modernism (1800-present): Contents

Part X. Industrial Revolution; Vatican I (1800-1880) Part XII. Vatican II; 20th Century Saints (1960-)
64. Napoleon 78. St Pope John XXIII
65. Congress Of Vienna 79. Vatican II
66. Industrial and Agrarian Revolutions 80. Dorothy Day
67. European Migration / Colonialism 81. The Universal Church
68. Edmund Ignatius Rice 82. St. Teresa of Kolkata
69. Jean Baptiste Pompallier 83. St. Oscar Romero
70. Vatican I 84. St. Pope John Paul II

Part XI. World Wars, Isms, Catholic Social Teaching (1880-1960) Timeline, Key Terminology and Focus Questions
71. Mother Mary Aubert - Modernism Timeline
72. The “Isms” - Modernism Key Terminology
73. Rerum Novarum and Catholic Social Teaching - Modernism Focus Questions 64-84
74. World War I
75. Modernism
76. Depression Appendix: The 21st Century
77. World War II 85. Pope Benedict XI
86. Pope Francis
0.3 A TYPICAL UNIT

Each unit will consist of

1. Key Terminology and Dates (to be copied into your book)
2. Several slides of information and ideas (to be actively read)
3. Several Review questions (one word, or one sentence answers)
4. One Focus Question (one paragraph answer)
Example of key terminology and dates
In each unit you will find Key Terminology and Dates which you will have to
memorize and be able to use in sentences, paragraphs or essays. For
example:

Key Terminology and dates:

 Gentile: A non-Jewish person
 64 AD: Death of Sts. Peter and Paul

Used in a sentence:
 Cornelius was the first gentile to be baptized a Christian
 St. Peter and St Paul probably died probably during Emperor Nero’s
persecution of Christians in 64AD.
Example of review questions
 The 6-8 Review Questions would look something like this:

1. Two ways that Peter was different from Popes of this century
include…
2. When Jesus called Peter he made a pun about…
3. Peter often had problems in times of crisis because…
4. Nevertheless, Peter was the first among the _____ apostles and to
him Jesus gave …
5. Peter was crucified upside down because…
6. In artwork, Peter is often depicted as ...
Example of Focus Question

 Each lesson will end with a focus question – more or less a

summary of the unit.
 You will need to write one full paragraph

 To be completed for homework

 A focus question will look something like this:

 Why did St. Augustine write “City of God”?
0.4 ESSAYS

 At the end of each part (7 units) you will have a 400 word essay.
 Typical essay questions would look like this:
 Discuss the Edict of Milan.
 Explain the rise of Islam and the relations between Islam and Christianity.

 Pretend you live in the 13th century. You have just met St. Thomas. What
would you say to him?

 Sources: The sources for your essay will be your text and at least one
other book or internet site. Be sure to note the other source(s).
0.5 EXAMS

 You will have major exams at the end of Term 1, 2, and 4

 Each exam is comprehensive – that is, it will cover everything
you have learned since the beginning of the year.
 The exam will consist of
 One word answers (terminology and dates)
 Several paragraph answers (chosen from the 84 Focus Questions)

 One or two essay questions

0.6 MARK

 Your Term marks and end-of-year marks will consist of:

 Exam: 60%
 Classwork: 40%

 Classwork consists of: Review Questions, Focus Questions,

Essays, quizzes or anything else your teach might assign.
0.7 WORD OF CAUTION: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
 Your teacher, the department or the Headmaster of curriculum may
change the structure of the course, the content of the unit, the date
of the exams, even the percentages that make up your Term Mark.
 Don’t be alarmed. It’s all under control. Such is the nature of
education.
 But for now we will follow the outline as presented here. Let’s start
with
 Section One (The Roman Age: 1-800)
 Part One (The Church is Born: 1-313)
 Unit One (Peter).
 CHURCH HISTORY
SECTION ONE: THE ROMAN AGE
1-800 AD
 Section One: The Roman Age (1-800): Contents

0. Introduction

Part I. The Church is Born (1-313AD) Part III. The Early Middle Ages (500-800)
1. St Peter 15. St Benedict
2. Quo Vadis and Symbols 16. Monasticism; Romanesque Architecture
3. St Paul 17. Islam
4. Jewish Persecution 18. Christian - Islamic Relations
5. Council of Jerusalem 19. Celtic Christianity & Art
6. Imperial Rome 20. Conversion of the Barbarians
7. Roman Persecution 21. Eastern Christianity / Western Europe
Excursus: How to write an essay

Part II. Christianity Legalized; The Fall of Rome (313-500) Timeline, Key Terminology and Focus Questions
8. Constantine and the Edict of Milan - Roman Age Timeline
9. The Apologists - Roman Age Key Terminology
10. Christianity: the State Religion - Roman Age Focus Questions 1-21
11. Council of Nicaea (and further Christological Councils)
12. St. Augustine
13. Fall of Rome/Survival of the East
14. Justinian
 PART I

THE CHURCH IS BORN

1-313 AD

(UNITS 1-7)
1. PETER
KEY TERMINOLOGY AND DATES
 64AD: Fire of Rome
 64AD: Death of St. Peter and St. Paul
 65AD: Mark writes first Gospel
1.1 ST. PETER: APOSTLE AND FIRST POPE
St. Peter's original name was Simon (Acts 15:14; II Peter 1:1). He
was the son of Jonah and was born in Bethsaida (John 1:42, 44),
a town at the northern end of Lake Genesareth (aka the Sea of
Galilee).
The Apostle Andrew was his
brother, and the Apostle Philip
came from the same town.
Simon settled in Capernaum,
where he was living in his own
house (Mt. 8:14; Lk. 4:38).
Simon was married, and may
have had children. Simon was a
well off fisherman in Lake
Genesareth, owning his own boat
(Luke 5:3).
1.2 PETER’S CALL

“As Jesus walked beside the Sea

of Galilee, he saw Simon and his
brother Andrew casting a net
into the lake, for they were
fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,"
Jesus said, "and I will make you
fishers of men." At once they left
their nets and followed him’
(Mark 1: 16-18).
1.3 PETER AMONG THE TWELVE
Among the twelve apostles, Peter soon
became a leader. He often found it hard to
make up his mind. He was impulsive in what
he said and what he did. But he was full of
zeal and enthusiasm.
Peter’s impulsiveness meant that he was
often caught off guard and did not always
have a clear head in times of difficulty. Peter
is listed at the head of the Apostles in the
Gospels, and in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus
institutionalizes the church.
1.4 PETER AND THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE CHURCH

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was
not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell
you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and
the gates of Hell will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the
kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven"
(Mt. 16: 17-19).
Perugino, Christ Giving the Keys of the Kingdom to St. Peter, 1481-83, Sistine Chapel
1.5 PETER AFTER JESUS

Despite his denial of Jesus at the crucifixion, Peter was able

to return and lead the church. In Acts 10 Peter was the first
disciple to convert a Non-Jewish person (Cornelius) to “the
Way” (as Christianity was called at first). He helped to settle
the dispute at the Council of Jerusalem in 49AD.
Ultimately, according to church tradition, Peter went to Rome
to lead the Christians there. He is said to have been martyred
in 64AD during the persecution that followed the fire of Rome.
The Emperor Nero blamed the Christians for starting the fire.
It is also said that Peter requested crucifixion upside down
because he felt himself to be unworthy of a death so similar
to that of Jesus.
(It is believed that Paul died in Nero’s persecution as well.
Because he was a Roman citizen, however, he could not be
crucified; he would have been beheaded.)
1.6 MARK WRITES FIRST GOSPEL

After Nero’s great persecution of the

Christians and Peter’s death in 64AD,
Peter’s companion, Mark, realized that the
generation who knew Jesus was dying off.
Thus, about 65AD, Mark sat down in Rome
and wrote the first Gospel, the Gospel
according to Mark.

Even though Matthew and Luke would later

try to improve upon Mark’s Gospel, the
Church always revered Mark’s Gospel
because it written by one closest to Peter.
1.7 PICTURES

St. Peter is often represented with keys and usually has curly hair
representing his rather wild personality. He is often painted with a
close cropped beard.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Two ways that Peter was different from Popes of this century
include…
2. When Jesus called Peter he made a pun about…
3. Peter often had problems in times of crisis because…
4. Nevertheless, Peter was the first among the _____ apostles and to
him Jesus gave …
5. Peter was crucified upside down because…
6. What year did Peter die? What year did Mark write his Gospel? Why
did Mark write the first Gospel?
7. In artwork, Peter is often depicted as ...
FOCUS QUESTION 1 (PEEL)

Explain why Peter is considered the first Pope by the Catholic Church.

Focus questions are to be answered in paragraphs containing at least four

sentences:
P= Point: Introduce the main point
E= Explanation: Explain the main point.
E= Example: Given an example or evidence about the main point.
L= Link: Link back to the main point.
ANSWERING A FOCUS QUESTION (PEEL)

Explain why Peter is considered the first Pope by the Catholic Church.

 P: Peter is considered the first Pope of the Catholic Church because Jesus
made him the leader of the Apostles.
 E: During Jesus’ life, Peter was a spokesman for the other Apostles, and he
continued to lead the group in the Acts of the Apostles.
 E: For example, Peter institutionalised the Church after Jesus told him that
he would be the “rock upon which I will build my church” (Matthew
16:8). Jesus also gave the him the “keys to heaven”; keys were an Old
Testament symbol of being in charge of a city.
 L: Thus because he was both spokesman for the apostles and because Jesus
put him in charge of the church, Catholics consider Peter the first pope.

33
2. Quo Vadis and Symbols
Key Terminology and Dates

• Emperor Nero (37-68): First emperor

to persecute Christians; 64 AD

• Apocryphal: stories that are believed

to be true
2.1 Introduction
Christians needed to communicate to each other. Because Christianity was
banned for most of the Roman period and they were being persecuted
Christians developed a series of visual codes.
2.2 Chi Rho
• The Chi Rho is not really a
symbol at all but a monogram.
It is the oldest know monogram
of Jesus Christ. It is known as a
"Christogram".

• The Chi and the Rho are the

first two letters of Christ (Cristos)
in Greek.
= Chi = Ch
= Rho = r
2.3 Chi Rho Variation

A variation of The Chi-Rho with

the Alpha and Omega.

Translation: "Jesus Christ is the

beginning and the ending, the
first and the last".
2.4 ICTHUS
The fish is an
ancient symbol of
Jesus.
In Greek, the first
letters of Jesus
Christ Son of God
Saviour spell out
“Icthus” or “fish”.
2.4 ICTHUS
Ephesus, Turkey
2.5 AREPO acrostic
The Arepo acrostic is an inscription
consisting of five words which read
the same both across, down and
back to front. The acrostic was a
secret Christian sign composed
sometime before 79 AD.
(Two were found at Pompeii.)
It is said to mean, “The great sower Arepo holds the wheel with force.”

The word TENET (holds) forms a central cross to the design. The 25
letters can be re-arranged as A PATERNOSTER O
• Pater Noster = Our Father
• A and O = alpha and omega (= A and Z): Christ the beginning and
the end.
2.6 IHS
In Greek, JESUS = ΙΗΣΟΥΣ
In Latin, ΙΗΣΟΥΣ = IHSOUS

IHS is the first three letters of JESUS in

Latin: IHSOUS

(In the 16th century St. Ignatius adopted IHS as

the symbol of the Jesuits. Pope Francis is the
first Jesuit pope and often wears the symbol.)
2.7 Carracci’s Quo Vadis
Completed by the Italian Annibale
Carracci in 1601-02, this painting is
based on an apocryphal story told for
centuries. The earliest written record we
have is from the 13th century.
It shows Peter fleeing the persecution on
the Appian way. Peter is an old man. He
encounters Jesus and says “Quo Vadis
Domine” (Where are you going Master?)
to which Christ replies: “To Rome to be
crucified again.”
At which point Peter himself returned to
Rome to be crucified – upside down.
Review Questions
1. Christians developed a series of secret codes in the Roman period
because…
2. The “Chi-rho” monogram represents…
3. Draw a variation of the Chi Rho
4. The symbol of the fish was used because…
5. Because two “AREPO” acrostics were found at Pompeii we
know…
6. The “I H S” monogram represents…
7. The apocryphal story of Quo Vadis is linked to the verifiable event
of…
Focus Question 2
Explain the necessity and the meaning of Christian code
like “chi-rho”, the “icthus” OR the “apero acrostic”.
* Evangelist: a person who spreads the Good News of
Jesus Christ
* Gentile: a non-Jewish person
* 64AD: Death of St. Paul (and St. Peter)

*
3.1 PAUL’S BACKGROUND

Born about 5 AD in Tarsus in

Turkey, Paul was originally named
Saul. As a citizen of Tarsus Paul
was a Roman Citizen. He grew up
as a strict Pharisee. He had an
excellent education and was
fluent in Greek, Aramaic and
Hebrew. He studied the Torah
under Gamaliel in Jerusalem.
3.2 PAUL THE PERSECUTOR
 Saul became a fanatic, strictly applying the Jewish law and
leading persecutions against Christians. He was present at the
stoning of Stephen:
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices,
they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone
him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young
man named Saul (Acts 7).
 Saul wanted to lead a persecution against Christians in
Damascus.
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the
Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters
to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who
belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as
prisoners to Jerusalem (Acts 8).
3.3 PAUL’S CONVERSION
 On his way to Damascus Saul fell and was blinded.
Through this experience he was changed.
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a
light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the
ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why
do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul
asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he
replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will
be told what you must do” (Acts 9).
 After his conversion Saul was known as Paul. Paul
returned to Tarsus for ten years and worked as a
tentmaker. Eventually Barnabas called Paul back to
Antioch in Syria which was the base for conversion
of the Mediterranean. After his conversion his
direction changed – he became the great
evangelist to the gentiles – but his personality
remained the same.
3.4 Three Missionary Journeys
Paul will undertake three
missionary journeys:
1. 45-49: Cyprus, Antioch in
Pisidia (Turkey) and other
areas in Turkey
2. 49-52: Turkey, Macedonia
3. 53-58: Turkey, Turkish
Aegean Coast and
around the Coast to
Corinth
3.5 ROME AND DEATH
Paul was arrested and accused of crimes against the government. As a Roman citizen, he was
entitled to be tried in Rome. In the year 59 he went as a prisoner on board a ship bound for
Rome.
On the way he was shipwrecked
on Malta. When they finally
reached Rome, he was made to
stay in a house, guarded by a
soldier, and eventually he was let
off. He remained in Rome
teaching.
Paul was beheaded (Roman
citizens could not be crucified)
under Nero’s persecution (64
AD).
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. a)Because Saul was born in Tarsus, he was a …
b) Saul was well educated and he could speak …
2. Before Saul converted to Christianity he...
3. Saul changed his name to Paul after his conversion which took
place on the road to …
4. Paul went on three missionary journeys, into…
5. a) Paul went to Rome for trial because…
b) Paul most probably died in the year _________. Because he was a
Roman citizen, he was _____________.
Explain St. Paul’s role in the spread of
Christianity.

*
Key Terminology and Dates

 Sanhedrin: The ruling body of the Jews in Jerusalem
(like a parliament)
 Gamaliel: Jewish scripture scholar; advised Sanhedrin
to let Peter and James go
 Martyr: One who dies for the faith
 St. Stephen: the first Christian martyr
 70AD: Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem
4.1 Jewish Reform

 In the beginning it seems clear that the followers of Jesus believed that
they were reforming the Jewish religion. They met with the Jews for
Temple worship and debated with Jewish leaders, the Sanhedrin.
4.2 Jewish Groups

The Jews of the time of Jesus can be split into several groups:
 Pharisees: Lay people who were educated in the law. They took part in the
Sanhedrin, (the ruling Council) and they followed the law strictly. They
believed in an after-life. Saul was a Pharisee.
 Sadducees: Priests who led Temple worship. They inherited their positions and
took part in the Sanhedrin. They did not believe in an after-life. They had
dealings with the Romans.
 Essenes: People who had abandoned the normal way of life to live a pure and
holy life, often in the desert. People living in one such community hid the Dead
Sea Scrolls, found near Qumran. John the Baptist was probably an Essene.
 Zealots: Fanatical freedom fighters who wanted to fight for independence from
Rome. Simon the Apostle was a Zealot.
 Most Jews: The vast majority of Jews belonged to none of these groups. It was
this majority who Jesus appealed to in most of his teaching.
4.3 Early Christian Practices

Christians followed most Jewish practices (shabbat) but added Baptism and
gathered in homes for Eucharist on the first day of the week (Sunday), as
that is the day Jesus resurrected.
It is clear that they also
shared their money, and
distributed goods to those in
need. They preached the
Good News in the Temple
and cured people.
(Image from Catacomb of
Priscilla)
4.3 Early Christian practices (cont.)

 Jews who believed in Jesus Christ still went to the temple or synagogue
on Saturdays, but added other distinct practices

Shared Jewish Practices Christian Additions

Shabbat Sunday
Synagogue Eucharist
Circumcision Baptism
Torah Message about Jesus (Good News)
4.4 Simmering Jewish Reaction

Because Jesus had been telling off most of the powerful Jews, it is not
surprising that many of the Sanhedrin – the Jewish ruling body – didn’t
like Christians. The Sadducees arrested Peter and John for preaching about
Jesus’ resurrection and performing miracles. The Sanhedrin then banned
the apostles from preaching. The apostles ignored the ban.
One Pharisee that saw things differently was a famous rabbi by the name
of Gamaliel who gave this advice to the Sanhedrin about the Christians:
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave
these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose is of
human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will
not be able to stop these men; you will only find
yourselves fighting against God" (Acts 5: 38-39).
 4.5 The martyrdom of Stephen and the first
Christian persecution

The Greek-speaking Christian widows had not been getting their fair share of
the hand-outs of food and goods so seven Greek-speaking helpers (deacons)
were appointed. Stephen was one of these deacons.
Stephen was eventually arrested because of his arguments with other Jews.
Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin traced all of Jewish History and showed
how Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. This enraged the Council who got up and
stoned Stephen to death.
A widespread persecution followed and many
Christians ran away from Jerusalem and went to
Greece, Egypt, and other parts of the Roman
empire. This served to spread the Gospel further.
 4.6 Final Break with Judaism

 In 70AD the Jewish nation rose up against the Romans. Christians did not
support the revolt. They were peacemakers, and believed in a heavenly, not
earthly, kingdom. In response to the revolt the Romans burned the Temple and
enslaved many Jews.
 Other Jews escaped and so Jewish communities were to be found spread
throughout the world for the next two thousand years. The Jewish religion based
around Temple worship in Jerusalem was destroyed.
 The Jewish religious leadership gathered in Jamnia (south of Tel-Aviv) formed
the Hebrew Canon (Jewish scriptures that excluded anything not written in
Hebrew) and Jewish practices that were not based on the Temple of Jerusalem.
 They were strongly hostile to Christians. Many Christians who had followed
both Jewish and Christian practice couldn’t go to their Synagogues any more.
They took the destruction of the Temple as a sign from God that God now made
his home in people’s hearts.
Review Questions

1. The early Christians considered themselves to be…
2. a) The Pharisees were …
b) The Sadducees were…
3. The earliest Christians continued to their Jewish practices but added __________ and
___________. They also met on ___________ .
4. The Sanhedrin forbade the early Christians to preach Jesus, but Gamaliel said…
5. __________ was the first martyr. After his martyrdom, the Gospel spread to…
6. The final break with Judaism happened in the year _________ AD when Rome…
Focus Question 4

What did Gamaliel say to the Sanhedrin?
Did the Sanhedrin follow his advice? Why
or why not?
5. Council of Jerusalem

 Key Terminology and Dates

 49AD: Council of Jerusalem
 Cornelius: First gentile to convert to Christianity
 St. James: First Bishop of Jerusalem; presided at the
Council of Jerusalem (49 AD)
 Papal: an adjective that is used to describe things to
do with the Pope
5.1 Council of Jerusalem

 Without a doubt the Council of Jerusalem was the most important
Council the Church has ever had, both for
 - what it decided and
 - how it decided.
5.2 Background to Council

 After the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7) Christians dispersed to
Samaria, the Mediterranean Coast and Antioch.
 In Acts 10 Peter converted the first gentile Cornelius.
 Most Christians said any Gentile like Cornelius who
wants to follow Christ must first convert to Judaism
and follow the law of Moses (see Galatians 2).
 Meanwhile, Paul too had been evangelizing the
gentiles. (See map of first journey.)
 Did these gentiles have to follow Jewish dietary
laws? Did they have to be circumcised according to
the Law of Moses?
 Paul will finally force the issue at the Council of
Jerusalem in 49AD.
 5.3 The Council of Jerusalem: What is Decided

 James was the Bishop of Jerusalem who stood for
following the law.
 Paul was the great evangelist to the Gentiles who insisted
they did not have to follow the law.
 Peter ultimately had to make the decision. In his speech to
the council he said:
“God made no distinction between us and them, for he purified
their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by
putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor
our fathers have been able to bear?” (Acts 15:9-10).
 In other words, the Council of Jerusalem decided that
Gentiles who became Christian did not have to follow the
dietary laws of Moses. They did not have to be
circumcised.
 This new Church that follows the Risen Christ was now
fully open to all Gentiles!
 5.4 The Council of Jerusalem: How it’s Decided

 If opening the door to Gentiles was WHAT was
decided at the Council of Jerusalem, HOW it was
decided was just as important.
 The Apostles and elders at the council are famous for
proclaiming that “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit
and us to impose on you no further burden than these
essentials…”
 The Council of Jerusalem will create the template for
all further ecumenical councils in the church.
 The apostles and elders gather over a difficulty.
 Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit they decide.
 By means of consensus they direct the Church.
 5.5 Further Ecumenical Councils

 There have been 21 Ecumenical Councils since the Council of Jerusalem

1. First Council of Nicaea (325) 11. Third Council of the Lateran (1179)
2. First Council of Constantinople (381) 12. Fourth Council of the Lateran (1215)
3. Council of Ephesus (431) 13. First Council of Lyon (1245)
4. Council of Chalcedon (451) 14. Second Council of Lyon (1274)
5. Second Council of Constantinople (553) 15. Council of Vienne (1311-1312)
6. Third Council of Constantinople (680-681) 16. Council of Constance (1414-1418)
7. Second Council of Nicaea (787) 17. Council of Basel, Ferrara, Florence (1431-45)
8. Fourth Council of Constantinople (869-870) 18. Fifth Council of the Lateran (1512-1514)
9. First Council of the Lateran (1123) 19. Council of Trent (1545-1563)
20. First Council of the Vatican (1870)
10. Second Council of the Lateran (1139)
21. Second Council of the Vatican (1962-1965)
5.6 “To the ends of the earth:
the Expansion of Christianity

After the Council of Jerusalem, Paul was given
the blessing and freedom to spread the Good
News as far as the Spirit led him.
As we saw in Unit 3, Paul completed 3
missionary journeys and his trip to Rome.
In his preaching Paul made parallels between
Christianity and Greco-Roman Philosophy. The
way was clear to the conversion of the minds of
Europeans and thus the fulfilment of Acts 1:8: to
be “witnesses to Jesus to the ends of the earth”.
All this was made possible by the Council of
Jerusalem in 49AD.

(Ironically, the Council of Jerusalem also made it

clear that Christianity was no longer tied to
Jerusalem – which became even more evident
with the destruction of the temple in 70AD.)
 (5.7 Extension: St. Peter and St Paul: Temperaments)


 From what we read in the Acts of the Apostles and in Paul’s
letters it is clear that Peter & Paul both had energetic
personalities.
 Peter was a fisherman and probably never learned to read and
write. (His two letters were most likely dictated). Paul was a wise
student of the Old Testament and thirteen letters in the New
Testament were written by him.
 Paul wrote this to the Galatians:
“When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly
in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the
Gentiles. But when they arrived, he drew back and separated himself from the
Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.
The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy. By their hypocrisy even Barnabas
was led astray.
When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said
to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not
like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?”
(Galatians 2: 11-15).
(5.8 Extension: St. Peter and St Paul: Contributions)


 It is obvious that each of these two apostles
was important.
 Catholics base their belief in papal succession
(the continuous line of Popes) to St Peter. St.
Peter was entrusted with the church: “You
are Peter and on this rock I will build my
church” (Mt. 6:18).
 Other Christians, however, say that St. Paul
had more influence on the early church.
Review Questions

1. For what two reasons was the Council of Jerusalem so important?
2. Briefly, give the background of the Council of Jerusalem.
3. What did the Council of Jerusalem decide?
4. How did the Council of Jerusalem decide it?
5. What is the name and date of the first Ecumenical Council after the Council of
Jerusalem? What is the name and date of the last?
6. What was the consequence for the early Church of the Council of Jerusalem?
7. (Extension: Read slide 7: Do you gravitate more toward Peter or Paul? Why?
8. (Extension: Read slide 8: Who do you think influenced the Church more?
Why?
Focus Question 5

Give and explain at least two reasons
why the Council of Jerusalem in 49 AD
was so important.

Bonus Question: Icon at right:

- Who do you think is in the centre?
- Who would be on his right?
- Who would be on his left?
6. Imperial Rome
Key Terminology and Dates

753BC: Founding of Rome

476AD: Fall of Rome in the West
1453AD: Fall of Rome in the East
6.1 The Influence of Rome
Although some talk about the "rise
and fall" of the Roman Empire,
others focus on how the civilization
changed over time. Both positives
(art and architecture) and negatives
(slavery, cruelty) can be identified in
Roman culture throughout it’s
history.
(Right: remnants of a Roman road)
6.2 The Rise and Fall

The first Roman settlements

were established around
753 BC. At its height,
around 200 AD, the empire
covered 2.5 million square
miles. The Western Empire
fell in 476 AD; the Eastern
Empire lasted until 1453
A.D.
6.3 Organisation
Based on strict organization and central control, the empire was
connected by a huge network of roads with the city of Rome in the centre.
Each town was planned in exactly the same way including streets, running
water, and sewers. Shops, temples, and government buildings surrounded
the town square (forum) at the centre of town.
6.4 Roman Army
The Romans managed to conquer so many countries because
they had such a good army. The Emperor used the army to
protect Rome and to control the people it had conquered. Some
soldiers were away from their families for long periods of time.
When a soldier had served in the army for 25 years he could
become a citizen of Rome.

Organisation of the Army

The army was organised in a very simple way:
• 5000 Legionaries (Roman Citizens who were in the army)
would form a Legion.
• The Legion would be split into centuries (80 men) controlled
by a Centurion.
• The centuries would then be divided into smaller groups with
different jobs to perform.
6.5 Culture
The Romans had festivals for events
such a childbirth, marriage, and
funerals. Like Greek culture, Romans
loved telling stories about the
Roman gods, like Mercury and
Jupiter. They enjoyed food,
swimming, and all kinds of
entertainment. Chariot races were
held in circuses – a Latin name for a
racetrack or speedway.
6.6 The Roman Arch
Key to Rome’s cultural
expansion would be the
systematic use of the
Roman Arch.
6.7 Legacy
Modern Europe's languages, buildings, art and
governments have come from Roman beginnings. The
French Army still has Legions. Latin, the Roman
language, is still used by the Church. (Can you see the
Roman architectural influence on St. Michael’s
Remuera?)
6.8 Relationship between Christianity and Empire
There is no doubt that
because of the Roman Empire
Christianity spread quickly.
Having said that, Christianity
was able survive with or
without the Empire. If it grew
too close to the authority of
the Empire, as it did in the
East, it had difficulty operating
when the Empire fell.
Review Questions
1. The Roman Empire was both positive because… and negative because
…
2. Rome was founded in ____; the Roman Empire fell in the West in ____.
3. It was successful because…
4. Rome conquered many territories because…
5. What sort of cultural events did the Roman Empire have?
6. Key to Rome’s cultural expansion was…
7. The legacy of Rome is …
8. In the East, Christianity… This made it difficult for Christianity when…
Focus Question 6
What do you think was the most important achievement of the
Roman Empire? What was its worst legacy? Give your reasons.
7. ROMAN PERSECUTION
KEY TERMINOLOGY AND DATES
Apostate: a person who denies their beliefs
in order to save their life
Emperor Hadrian (76-138): Roman emperor
who did not persecute Christians. Famous
for the wall named after him in Britain
Emperor Diocletian (244-311): resigned
after Galarius’s excessive persecution of
Christians in 305 AD.
284-305: Christian Persecution under
Diocletian
7.1 UNTIL 64 AD

Until 64 AD Rome mostly tolerated the Christians. It did

not see the new religion as a threat; it was simply one of
many religions throughout the empire. It was not
important.
7.2 EMPEROR NERO
Tolerance changed to
persecution when a great fire
caused destruction of a large
part of Rome. Many people
blamed Emperor Nero so he
found it convenient to blame
the new group in town: the
Christians! Wild stories were
already being told about these
people.
(Legend has it that Nero played
the lyre as Rome burned.)
7.3 TACITUS
Tacitus was a Roman historian who lived in the 2nd century AD. He labelled
Christians “notoriously depraved” and their faith a “deadly superstition”. Still he
pitied them:
First, Nero had self-acknowledged Christians
arrested. Then on information gained from them he
condemned large numbers of others – not so much
for setting fires as for their anti-social behaviour.
They were dressed in wild animal skins and torn to
pieces by dogs. They were crucified, or set alight
after dark to act as torches. Nero provided his
Gardens for the spectacle and he mingled with the
crowds.
Despite their guilt as Christians, and the ruthless
punishment they deserved, the victims were pitied.
For it was felt that they were being sacrificed to one
man’s brutality rather than in the national interest.”
7.4 OTHER EMPERORS
For the next 250 years persecutions of Christians could
flare up at any time. Severe persecutions took place
under the Emperors
 Domitian (81-96)
 Decius (246-251)
 Valerian (253-260)
 Diocletian (284-305) (most severe)

Between these times, Christians were safer.

Emperor Hadrian (117-138), for example, did
not persecute Christians at all.
(Right: Hadrian and Hadrian’s Wall, UK)
7.5 CHARGES AGAINST CHRISTIANS

Wild rumours circulated about

Christians. They were accused of:
 Atheism: they did not take part
in Emperor worship
 Cannibalism: misinterpretation
of Eucharist
 Sexual perversion:
misinterpretation of Christian
love

Depiction from the Catacombs, Rome

7.6 CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
 During times of persecution, Christians worshipped in
secret. A whole series of codes developed to give
encouragement. The Book of Revelation is an example of
this.
 Some Christians remained faithful through execution, and
became martyrs.
 Some Christians gave in and worshipped the emperor, to
save their lives. The treatment of these Apostates was a
difficult issue for the early Christian communities.
7.7 GROWTH

Why, in spite of persecution, did Christianity grow? There are many

reasons:
1. Divine Will: The Holy Spirit helped believers spread the Good News.
2. Disenchantment: Most smart Romans could see the mythic gods of
the Greeks and Romans were made up.
3. Philosophy: The Greek philosophical tradition, particularly that of the
Stoics, was very compatible with Christianity.
4. Universality: No one people or groups were the “special” group. In
Christianity all were equal.
7.8 The Catacombs

Outside Rome Christians would bury their dead in the Catacombs.

They would also meet in the catacombs to pray. Some of the most ancient
Christian art comes from the catacombs.
(7.9 EXTENSION READING: FURTHER NOTES ON PERSECUTION)
 The Roman persecution of Christians began during the reign of Nero (64) and
persisted until Christianity was recognized as a legitimate religion by the Emperor
Constantine in 311.
 Christian persecution was justified by the belief that the Christians' refusal to pay
homage to Rome's pagan gods provoked their wrath. The disastrous consequence of
a flood, drought, earthquake, or other calamity, was often attributed to the
Christians' lack of piety and the resultant retribution of the gods. Christians were
denounced as enemies of men and the gods and therefore subject to the severest
tortures.
 Conviction did not lead inevitably to execution. Pardon would be granted if the
Christian threw a few grains of incense on the altar of the pagan god and thereby
recognized its dominance. If this offer was refused, more severe measures, such as
scourging or other tortures, were implemented. If these failed, the victim was led to
the circus or theatre and subjected to a horrible death for the amusement of the
crowd and the placation of the gods.
(7.10 EXTENSION READING: A MARTYR'S DEATH: VIBIA PERPETUA [C. 181-203])

Vibia Perpetua was a young woman of noble birth. She

was twenty-two, a wife, a mother of a young son and a
Christian. In the city of Carthage in North Africa on
March 7 of the year 203 she was put to death for her
religious convictions. Her story comes to us from three
eyewitness accounts written shortly after her death.
Perpetua was one of five Christians condemned to
death in the arena. One of her companions, Felicitas,
was a slave and eight months pregnant. Two days
before her execution she gave birth to a daughter.
Perpetua's father was a pagan and came often to the
prison (many times with Perpetua's son in his arms) to
plead with his daughter to renounce her religion and
save her life - to no avail.
(7.10 A MARTYR'S DEATH: VIBIA PERPETUA [C. 181-203] [CONT.])

On March 7 Perpetua and her four companions were led to the

arena where the crowd demanded they be scourged. Then a
boar, a bear and a leopard were loosened upon the men while
the women were attacked by a wild bull. Wounded, Perpetua
was then put to the sword.

"When I was in the hands of the persecutors, my father in his

tender solicitude tried hard to pervert me from the faith.
'My father,' I said, 'you see this pitcher. Can we call it by any
other name than what it is?‘
'No,' he said.
Nor can I' [I said], 'call myself by any other name than that of
Christian.‘
So he went away, but, on the rumor that we were to be tried,
wasted away with anxiety.
(7.10 A MARTYR'S DEATH: VIBIA PERPETUA [C. 181-203] [CONT.])

“Daughter,' he said, 'have pity on my grey hairs; have pity on thy father.
Do not give me over to disgrace. Behold thy brothers, thy mother, and
thy aunt: behold thy child who cannot live without thee. Do not destroy
us all.'
Thus spake my father, kissing my hands, and throwing himself at my
feet. And I wept because of my father, for he alone of all my family
would not rejoice in my martyrdom. So I comforted him, saying:
'In this trial what God determines will take place. We are not in our own
keeping, but in God's.' So he left me - weeping bitterly.
[Perpetua and another Christian woman, Felicitas, were tossed and
gored by a bull; but despite cruel manglings yet survived. Perpetua,
says a sympathizing recorder] seemed in a trance. 'When are we to be
tossed?' she asked, and could scarcely be induced to believe that she
had suffered, in spite of the marks on her body. [They were presently
stabbed to death by gladiators] after having exhorted the others to
'stand fast in the faith and love one another,' she guided to her own
throat the uncertain hand of the young gladiator."
Review Questions
1. Before 64 A. D. Christians were treated like…
2. Romans persecuted Christians in 64 A.D. because…
3. Tacitus felt sorry for the Christians because…
4. One famous emperor who did not persecute Christians was _______.
5. Charges against Christians included:
a) Atheism - Christians refused to worship the __________.
b) Cannibalism - Christians ate ________.
c) Sexual Perversion - Christians were said to love…
6. Some Christians died as martyrs; others, called _____________ gave in and worshipped pagan
gods.
7. Yet Christianity grew because…
8. Some of the most ancient of Christian art comes from the ___________.
9. (Extension: Martyrdom and Vibia Perpetua: What do you think? Would you have been able to
present yourself as a martyr in the early Church?)
Focus Question 7
Explain how the attitude of the
Romans towards Christianity changed
after 60 AD.

OR

Evaluate (give your opinion based on

facts) the martyrdom of St Perpetua.
Excursus: How to write an essay
Essay Structure
Title Page

Introduction

Main Body

Conclusion
 Title Page: As in example (Times New Roman, 12 font; nothing fancy; always simple):

Essay Structure:
Title page
Title

Student name
Teacher name
Subject
Date due

In putting my name on the cover sheet I declare that the contents

therein are my work, reflecting my learning. No part of this
assignment has been copied from another student’s work. I further
declare that I have acknowledged all sources where I have used or
referred to someone else’s work and/or ideas.
Essay Structure: Introduction
The introduction has a twofold purpose:
1. to get the attention of the reader, and
2. to explain what the essay will be about.
Essay Structure: Main Body
• This is the main part of the essay. It should be 3 or 4 paragraphs.
• Each paragraph should contain at least 4 sentences (PEEL):
– Point
– Explanation
– Example
– Link
• Linking words should be used in the body of the essay. Examples include:
– to begin with
– Firstly
– Secondly
– Additionally
– Thirdly
– Furthermore
– Finally
– lastly
Essay Structure: Conclusion
• The purpose of a conclusion is to conclude/finish by bringing
all your ideas together (sometimes repeating part of the
introduction).
• Never include new ideas in your conclusion….
• Examples of the beginning of a conclusion include:
– In conclusion
– to conclude
– In sum
 Part I: The Church is Born (1-313AD)
Essay Question

Choose one of the following:

1.Explain why St. Peter was such an important person in
the history of the Church. OR
2.Explain why St. Paul was such an important person in
the history of the Church. OR
3.Explain why Nero was such a significant person in the
development of the Church.
 PART II

CHRISTIANITY LEGALIZED;
THE FALL OF ROME
313-500
(UNITS 8-14)
8. Constantine
and the Edict of Milan (313)
Key Terminology and Dates

• Constantine: The last Emperor of both

East and West. In 313AD he decreed
the Edict of Milan which legalized
Christianity
• 313: Edict of Milan
• Byzantium: the Greek name for
Istanbul / Constantinople; the
settlement at the Bosporus
8.1 Background
• Constantine was born in 288AD in Naissus
(present day Montenegro); he died in 337AD.
• Constantine was the son of Constantius I (a sub-
emperor / Caesar) and Helena, a Christian. He
grew up at the court of Emperor Diocletian under
the watchful eye of Galerius.
• When Diocletian and Maxinian resigned in 305,
Constantius and Galerius became Emperors.
• Constantine joined his father in Britain. Then, at
the age of 18, on his father’s death, he was
proclaimed Caesar by the troops in York. He
managed to survive several assassination
attempts.
 The Empire was now ruled by 4 Emperors

Maxentius –
Western Emperor
and located in the
Constantine capital Rome.
– Co
Emperor

Licinius –
Emperor of
the East.
Dias –
Emperor of
the East.
List of Roman Emperors:

Between Nero and

Constantine there
were over 150 years
and 38 Emperors.
8.2 Battle of Milvian Bridge
The night before a decisive battle with his last rival
for emperor in the West, at Milvian Bridge in 312,
Constantine had a vision: if he put the Chi-Rho on
the soldiers’ shields, they would win. He did. And
they won.
8.2 Battle of Milvian Bridge (cont)
8.2 Battle of Milvian Bridge (cont)
8.3 Edict of Milan
After the battle of Milvian Bridge,
Constantine did not immediately
become Christian.

However, in 313 Constantine met

with Licinius (the Emperor of the
East) in Milan and proclaimed
tolerance of Christians throughout
the Empire.

This proclamation has come to be

known the Edict of Milan.
8.4 One Empire
In 314 Licinius tried to get rid of Constantine. An uneasy peace existed
for a decade and when Licinius attempted to overthrow Constantine
again, it was Constantine who defeated Licinius. So Constantine became
sole Emperor in 324. In 330 he changed the capital to Byzantium
renaming it Constantinople (today called Istanbul).
8.5 Christian Empire
• Constantine himself did not become Christian until his
deathbed baptism by Eusebius, but he supported, unified,
and strengthened Christianity.
• In 325 he set up the Council of Nicaea to sort the
differences between Christians.
• He passed laws protecting priests, built
churches and proclaimed Sunday as a day of
rest and prayer.
• This did not mean that he turned against
paganism. He allowed it to continue and even
promoted a form of the old Emperor worship.
His aim was to rebuild a strong Empire.
• Many, however, did see the way things were
going and became Christians, or had their
children baptized.
8.6 Constantine: A Christian?
• It is clear that Constantine was a powerful force in the
promotion of Christianity in the Empire. But was Constantine
a Christian?
• Eusebius the Bishop of Caesarea and early Christian historian,
was a personal friend of Constantine. Eusebius wrote that just
before the battle of Milvian Bridge (312 AD) Constantine saw
a vision of the Christian cross in the sky over his troops and
beneath it was written “By this sign shall you conquer”.
• Lactantius, another Christian historian said that before the
battle Constantine had a dream that told him to have his
troops paint the Christian Chi-Rho on their shields to ensure
victory.
• Dream or vision, it is clear that Constantine felt some sort of
gratefulness to the Christian God for his victories.
• It was quite common for people, particularly people who
might have killed in wars, to delay their conversion to
Christianity until their deathbed.
Review Questions
1. Constantine was the son of…
2. At the battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 …
3. In 313 Constantine…
4. a) Constantine became the sole emperor when…
b) He changed the capital from Rome to _______.
5. In 325 Constantine called the Council of ________ to
sort out…
6. On his deathbed Constantine …
Focus Question 8

Was Emperor Constantine Christian? Explain.

(Extension activity: Complete an Acrostic of Constantine. Include only
information on his promotion of or conversion to Christianity)
 Christianity becomes the main religion of the Roman Empire.
 O
 N
 S
 T
 A sign in the sky convinced Constantine.
 N
 T
 I
 N
 E
9. The Apologists
Key Terminology and Dates

• Apologist: A person who speaks in defence of a position or

belief
• Early Apologists: Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, St
Augustine
• Stoic: Person who lives to a high moral standard, resilient in
the face of hardship; follower of Greek stoicism
9.1 The Apologists

It took almost three centuries

for Christians to be allowed to
live peaceably and freely while
following their own faith.
Over that time there were many
Christians who tried to argue
the case for Christians to be
given legal freedom.
One of these most famous
apologists was Justin Martyr.
9.2 Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr was a Christian apologist and martyr.
He was born around 100AD in Palestine. He was raised a
Gentile. In his search for truth he studied Stoicism, (a
philosophy that called people to abandon the world of the
senses) and other Greek philosophies.
Impressed by Christian martyrs, Justin converted to
Christianity. According to Justin, Christianity filled the
highest aspirations of Platonic philosophy; it was true
philosophy.
Some of his writings, The First Apology, The Second
Apology, and The Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, are still in
existence.
Justin was martyred early in the reign of Marcus Aurelius to
whom Justin addressed his Apologies.
9.3 Conversions
After Christianity was legalized in 313, it was able to
openly appeal to the Romans in their hearts and minds.
Christians sought:
1. To appeal to philosophy, through the work of Justin
Martyr, Ambrose, Augustine and other Church
Fathers;
2. To adopt pagan festivals (e.g. Christmas) giving them
Christian themes (Right: 3rd century mosaic of Christ
the Sun);
3. To adapt worship in ways that would seem familiar to
pagans, such as using candles, incense and images,
just as in pagan worship;
4. To honour saints making it easier for polytheistic
Romans to adapt to a monotheistic religion.
9.4 Athanasius (290-373)
St. Athanasius was the most important theologian of
the fourth century. Bishop Alexander of Alexandria
ordained him a deacon in 325. He accompanied
Alexander to the Council of Nicaea as his secretary.
In 328, Athanasius became bishop and remained
bishop of Alexandria until his death in 373.
Of his 45 years of as bishop, Athanasius spent 16 in
exile because of his opposition in Arianism. Most of
Athanasius’s time in exile was spent with other
Egyptian monks or in Rome.
In exile, Athanasius wrote several works. He stressed
the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
Athanasius also wrote how God can be seen through
the faith of the Church and in the sacraments.
 9.5 St. Ambrose of Milan (339-397)
St Ambrose was born into the Roman ruling class. He was
educated at Rome in law.
He became the Governor of Milan. Ambrose had a
reputation for honesty and decency. As governor, he had
to resolve a violent struggle between Catholics and Arians
over the successor to the Bishop.
Ambrose resolved the struggle so well that both Catholics
and Arians nominated him as bishop.
Ambrose was known as a gifted orator. His speaking ability
was partly responsible for the conversion of Augustine.
Augustine came to listen to Ambrose's sermons for their
oration, but found himself so moved that he became a
Christian.
Ambrose baptized Augustine at Easter in 386.
9.6 Greco-Roman, Judeo-Christian Synthesis
• Notice that these great Apologists and Fathers of the
Church began to meld two great lines of thought:
– Reason:The Greco-Roman Philosophical tradition
– Faith: The Judeo-Christian Historical and Biblical tradition
• This great synthesis of Reason and Faith will come to
fruition in the Middle Ages under scholars like St.
Thomas.
• Today the Catholic Church says that only a new
synthesis of science and faith will be able to direct us
safely into the future. (See, for example, Pope Francis,
Lumen Fidei.)
Review Questions
1. One who writes in defence of the faith is called an __________ .
2. Justin Martyr was an apologist. He argued…
3. Complete the diagram: Festivals

Christianity
Worship Appeals to Philosophy
Romans

Polytheism

4. Athanasius went to the Council of Nicaea as the secretary to the

Bishop of…
5. Ambrose was the Bishop of…
6. What two elements unite in the great Greco-Roman, Judeo-Christian
synthesis?
Focus Question 9
Describe the work of the early Christian apologists.
10. Christianity: The State Religion
Key Terminology and Dates
• Basilica: Roman building used for large public gatherings
• 380: Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity the state
religion of the Roman Empire (Edict of Thessalonica)
10.1 Theodosius
Theodosius was Emperor from 380 –395. He was the last
Emperor to effectively rule both East and West, although
Justinian reconquered much of the West from the barbarians
about 100 years later (Emperor 527 to 565).
Theodosius was suffering from a severe illness and recovered soon after he was
baptized by the Bishop of Thessalonica. He remained a firm Christian for the rest of his
life and struggled against Arianism. Two days after he entered Constantinople he
expelled the Arian Bishop there.
Theodosius made Christianity the State religion in 380. By 400 more than half the
population of the Empire was Christian. His sons ruled after him in the East and ensured
the continuity of Nicene Christianity.
Theodosius (379 – 395)
Last Emperor to rule the
East and the West
(10.2 EXTENSION: THEODOSIUS IN ART)

St Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, prevents Emperor

Theodosius (in armour and a laurel wreath) from
entering the Cathedral of Milan Cathedral.

Ambrose banned Theodosius from the cathedral after

the massacre of a population in Thessalonica.

This artist, Van Dyck (1599-1641), has identified one of

Theodosius's companions as Ruffinus, whose
shameless arrogance Saint Ambrose compared to a dog
(which is at his feet)
10.3 Church Organization after Theodosius
The now officially
sanctioned Christianity
modelled itself on
Roman political
organization:
– Dioceses and
– Parishes
The church will
eventually use Emperor
Justinian’s code of law.
10.4 The Basilica
Originally the basilica was an ancient
Roman building used for court cases and
other public functions. It was found in the
centre of every Roman town. In effect, it
was the town hall.
After Christianity became the state religion
in 380, the sheer number of Christians
meant they could no longer meet in
people’s homes. They thus began to meet
in the town basilicas.
Today basilica means a large, important
Catholic Church, usually a place of
pilgrimage. St. Peter’s in Rome is a basilica.
10.5 New Challenges
The boundaries between church and state have always been difficult. Because
Christianity became official State religion there were all sorts of problems:
1. The church became dependent on the whims of state officials. Forceful
political figures saw the church as yet another area in which to exercise their
control and influence.
2. When Christianity was made the State religion many people converted
simply to keep their citizenship. Others were keen to get the advantage of
being in with the ruling class.
3. The rapid growth of the church also meant that the instruction to the new
converts was a huge task and since many converts had questionable motives,
the ritual often got through without the message.
10.6 New Challenges (cont.)
4. Before Legalization Christianity had always witnessed to peace. By the fifth
century a soldier had to be Christian.
5. Increasingly Christian leaders became powerful political rulers who gathered
wealth, waged war and had to be concerned with matters of state.
Review Questions

1. Theodosius converted to Christianity after…

2. The Christianity that he followed was..
3. The Church organised itself like…
4. Instead of meeting in homes, Christians now
began to celebrate mass in ________.
5. Challenges that faced Christianity included:
Focus Question 10

Compare and contrast the Edict of Milan

(Christianity legalized in 313) and the Edict of
Thessalonica (Christianity decreed the State
Religion in 380).
11. Council of Nicaea

(and further
Christological
Councils)
Key Terminology and Dates

• Arius: Theologian from Alexandria that taught Jesus was

a perfect man but not God
• St. Athanasius: Bishop of Alexandria who defended
Orthodoxy against Arianism; spent 16 years in exile
• Heresy: part truth that leads people into a false belief
• Orthodox: Right teaching / right doctrine; also the
Eastern Christian church
• Orthopraxis: Right living / right practice
• 325: Council of Nicaea
11.1 Orthodoxy and Heresy
When Christianity was legalized the nature of people’s
beliefs came out into the open. It became obvious that
people who called themselves Christians had different
beliefs about a lot of things, but most importantly
people had different beliefs about who Jesus was.
Where beliefs were opposites, one belief would have
to be orthodox (true) and one would be heretical
(false). The church had to work out which was which.
Determining the orthodox point of view is done
through theological debate, often followed by a
regional gathering of bishops at a synod, and for a
major question at Ecumenical Council.
11.2 The Council of Nicaea

When a priest named Arius of Alexandria

began to preach that “there was a time when
Jesus was not”, he got in trouble with his
Bishop. What started as a local dispute soon
became an Empire-wide controversy.
Emperor Constantine was not happy. He
wanted unity in his empire. He called a
council at Nicaea to sort things out.
At Nicaea St. Athanasius became the
spokesman for the orthodox position: Jesus is
uncreated; Jesus is God.
11.3 Ecumenical

This is an artist’s
representation of the
Council of Nicaea. Notice
the different racial groups
demonstrating that it was
Ecumenical (of the whole
world). Notice the
documents and the
presence of Constantine
dressed as an Emperor
with soldiers standing
guard.
11.4 Ecumenical Councils
The model for all ecumenical councils was
the Council of Jerusalem (49AD) which
sorted the problem of whether Christians
would need to become Jews before
becoming Christians.

The next four ecumenical councils defined

the nature of Jesus:
– Nicaea (325)
– Constantinople I (381)
– Ephesus (431)
– Chalcedon (451)
11.5 Church Fathers
The people who championed Orthodoxy against Heresy have come to be called the
Early Church Fathers. These people were usually Bishops: Ambrose, Athanasius, and
Augustine. Pope Leo I wrote against Monophysitism.

St Irenaeus, another Church Father, was the Bishop of

Lyon (Southern) France in the second century. He had to
work against the Heresy of Gnosticism, especially its
teaching that matter is evil and all people are
irredeemably sinful. Perhaps his best known quote is
“The Glory of God is man fully alive. The Glory of Man is
the knowledge and love of God.”
In the end it was often as much the orthopraxis of the
church Fathers that won the argument as their
orthodoxy.
11.6 Christological Heresies
The nature of Jesus is the crucial question for all Christians: Is Jesus God, or is he
human? Here are four early Church heresies and their corresponding
orthodoxies:

1. Gnosticism/Manicheism: Matter is evil, the spirit is good; there is eternal

competition between good and evil; Jesus was not really human; there was
no resurrection.
Orthodox: Jesus is fully human and fully divine; All creation is good and good
has triumphed over evil in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

2. Arianism: Jesus is God’s greatest creature, but Jesus is not divine (“There
was a time when Jesus was not.”)
Orthodox: Jesus is Uncreated; Jesus is of the same substance as God; Jesus is
God (Council of Nicaea)
11.6 Christological Heresies (cont.)
3. Nestorianism: Jesus is both a divine and human person; (A sort of
schizophrenic) Mary is not the Mother of God. Mohammed‘s (PBUH)
contacts with Nestorians convinced him that Christianity was polytheistic.
Orthodox: Jesus is one divine person. Mary is Theotokos (God bearer), the
Mother of God (Council of Ephesus).

4. Monophysitism: Jesus is one person but with one mixed divine/ human
nature (not divine /not human)
Orthodox: Jesus is one person with two natures (divine and human) that do
not mix (Hypostatic union).
(11.7 Extension: The First Four Ecumenical Councils)
The The trouble- Church Father The heresy The orthodox teaching
Date maker
Nicaea 325 Arius Athanasius Arianism: Jesus is created Jesus is not created
(Therefore he is not God.) (Therefore he is God.)

Constantinople I 381 Apollinarius Gregory Jesus had human body, Jesus is truly human
Nazianzen but divine mind and will
(School of (School of (Therefore not fully human)
Alexandria) Antioch)
Ephesus I 431 Nestorius Cyril Jesus is two persons: Jesus is one person
Christokos Theotokos one born of God (divine) with two natures
(School of (School of one born of Mary (human) (divine and human)
Antioch) Alexandria) (Hypostatic union)
Chalcedon 451 Eutyches Pope Leo I Monophysitism: Jesus is one Jesus is one person with two
person but with one mixed natures that do not mix
divine/ human nature (divine and human)
(not divine /not human) (Hypostatic union)
Review Questions
1. a) Orthodoxy means…
b) Heresy means…
2. a) A priest from Alexandria named Arius started a controversy when he
preached that…
b) The Emperor __________ called a council at _________ in the year _____ to
settle the matter.
c) At Nicaea, Athanasius, spoke the orthodox position that…
3. What strikes you most about this artist’s representation of Nicaea?
4. The model for all ecumenical councils is…
5. Those who defended the orthodox position were…
6. Gnosticism/Manicheism said that…; the orthodox position is…
7. (Extension: What do you learn about Jesus from studying this chart?)
Focus Question 11
Describe the nature of Jesus according to Christian Orthodox
teaching.
12. ST. AUGUSTINE
Key Terminology and Dates

• St. Ambrose: Bishop of Milan (Italy). Church father who

baptised St. Augustine
• St Augustine: Bishop of Hippo; the “bridge” between the
Classical Roman learning and the Middle Ages
• Alaric: Arian leader of the Ostrogoths, first barbarian
army to sack Rome in 410
• 410: Sack of Rome
• 430: Death of St. Augustine
 12.1 The Bridge
Aurelius Augustine was born in Tagaste
(Algeria) in 354 and died almost seventy-six
years later (430) in Hippo on the
Mediterranean coast 100km away. In the
years between he lived out a career that
seems to people today to have bridged the
gap between Ancient Rome and the Middle
Ages

Middle Ages
Roman Era
12.2 Early Life

• Augustine’s parents were Monica and Patricius. Monica was a devout

Christian; Patricius had no strong religious convictions but accepted
baptism on his deathbed. (Monica is known for having prayed ceaselessly
for her son.)
• With the help of a wealthy family friend, Monica and Patricius managed to
scrape together enough to send Augustine to the nearest University and
eventually to Carthage, the capital of Roman Africa.
• Augustine started living with a woman in Carthage. He had a son. The
woman stayed with Augustine for over a decade and, though we do not
know her name, he would say that when he had to give her up to make a
society marriage in Milan "his heart ran blood" with grief as she went off to
Africa.
• Adeodatus, Augustine’s son stayed with Augustine until Adeodatus died in
his late teens.
12.3 Augustine and Manicheism
Augustine became a Teacher and a
professor in Carthage, Rome and
finally Milan. His interest in philosophy
led him to become a follower of
Manicheism a cult that had Persian
roots and that taught that matter is all
evil and that we are locked in a battle
between good and evil. Because
these forces were greater than the
individual we should have no guilt for
sin.
Manichaean priests, writing at their desks.
Manuscript from Gaochang (Khocho), Tarim
Basin, China (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manichaeis)
12.4 Augustine and Ambrose
In Milan Augustine met the great master of rhetoric, St.
Ambrose. Through Ambrose’s influence, Augustine
slowly came to appreciate the intellectual and spiritual
rigour of Christianity.

+ Philosophy =
12.5 Conversion: The Confessions

In the first auto-biography in Western literature

– the Confessions – St. Augustine writes of his
conversion to Christianity
(Augustine will write a total of 90 books.)
12.6 The Sack of Rome (410)

The Roman empire had been in decline for

years. Tribes were invading from all sides.
But on August 24, 410 the unthinkable
happened: The Visigoths, led by King Alaric,
attacked and sacked “the eternal city” of Rome.
Rome had not been defeated for nearly 800
years!
As St. Jerome who was living in Bethlehem at
the time said "The City which had taken the
whole world was itself taken."
The Sack of
Rome (410)
12.7 City of God
Many Romans saw the sack of Rome as
punishment for having abandoned the
traditional Roman gods – for so many people
becoming Christian.
Augustine responded by writing what would
become a classic in Western literature and
thought: City of God.
There are two cities: the city of man and the
city of God . Politics and war have their part in
the city of man; Christians should always keep
their eyes on heaven as the ultimate goal: the
city of God.
(12.8 Extension Reading: The Confessions of St Augustine
[Chs. 28-29: The story of Augustine’s conversion])
But when a profound reflection had, from the secret depths
of my soul, drawn together and heaped up all my misery
before the sight of my heart, there arose a mighty storm,
accompanied by as mighty a shower of tears. Which, that I
might pour forth fully, with its natural expressions, I stole
away from Alypius; for it suggested itself to me that solitude
was fitter for the business of weeping. So I retired to such a
distance that even his presence could not be oppressive to
me. Thus was it with me at that time, and he perceived it;
for something, I believe, I had spoken, wherein the sound of
my voice appeared choked with weeping, and in that state
had I risen up. He then remained where we had been
sitting, most completely astonished.
(12.8 Extension Reading [cont])

I flung myself down, how, I know not, under a certain fig-

tree, giving free course to my tears, and the streams of my
eyes gushed out, an acceptable sacrifice unto You. 1 Peter
2:5 And, not indeed in these words, yet to this effect, spoke
I much unto You—But You, O Lord, how long? How long,
Lord? Will You be angry for ever? Oh, remember not
against us former iniquities; for I felt that I was enthralled
by them. I sent up these sorrowful cries—How long, how
long? Tomorrow, and tomorrow? Why not now? Why is
there not this hour an end to my uncleanness?
(12.8 Extension Reading [cont])
I was saying these things and weeping in the most bitter
contrition of my heart, when, lo, I heard the voice as of a boy or
girl, I know not which, coming from a neighbouring house,
chanting, and oft repeating, Take up and read; take up and
read. Immediately my countenance was changed, and I began
most earnestly to consider whether it was usual for children in
any kind of game to sing such words; nor could I remember
ever to have heard the like. So, restraining the torrent of my
tears, I rose up, interpreting it no other way than as a command
to me from Heaven to open the book, and to read the first
chapter I should light upon. For I had heard of Antony, that,
accidentally coming in while the gospel was being read, he
received the admonition as if what was read were addressed to
him, Go and sell that you have, and give to the poor, and you
shall have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me.
Matthew 19:2l
(12.8 Extension Reading [cont])

And by such oracle was he immediately converted unto

You. So quickly I returned to the place where Alypius was
sitting; for there had I put down the volume of the apostles,
when I rose thence. I grasped, opened, and in silence read
that paragraph on which my eyes first fell—Not in rioting
and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not
in strife and envying; but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Romans 13:13-14

No further would I read, nor did I need; for instantly, as the

sentence ended—by a light, as it were, of security infused
into my heart—all the gloom of doubt vanished away.
Review Questions
1. St. Augustine of Hippo was a bridge between …
2. Augustine’s father did not have a strong faith. His mother ________ was a
________.
3. In his early years Augustine followed the religion of _________ which saw reality as
a struggle between the forces of _________ and ________.
4. Augustine was converted by_________.
5. He wrote about his conversion in his great autobiography “_________________”.
6. In the year __________ the _________ pillaged _______ for 3 days.
7. Some claimed the pillage of Rome happened because pagan gods had been
abandoned. St. Augustine’s response was to write “______________”.
8. (Extension: Read slides for 12.8: This religious experience will change St.
Augustine – and ultimately change the course of Western History (!). Have you
ever had a religious experience? Do you know anyone who has? What did you/they
learn?)
Focus Question 12
Describe the difference
between the city of God and
the city of man in St.
Augustine’s hugely
influential work, City of God.
13.Fall of Rome / Survival of the East
Key Terminology and Dates

• Barbarians: (Gk. “bearded ones”) uncivilized,

primitive people; people outside the Roman Empire
• Attila: leader of the Huns, a nomadic people from
Mongolia who swept into Europe
• Pope Leo I (c.400-461): A pope who managed to
negotiate with the Goths and the Huns to spare
Rome; organized food for Romans
• 476: Fall of Western Roman Empire
13.1 Decline of the Roman Empire

From the later years of the fourth

century, it was an obvious, but
unspoken truth that Rome “the
eternal city” was in decline.
We can trace the decline of Rome by
studying the maps in this unit.
In the 2nd Century
the Roman Empire
was at its height.
In 330 AD Constantine established a second Senate in Constantinople. The East was
powerful and wealthy. The West was in decline.
13.2 Barbarians
Barbarians (bearded ones) who had
long settled in Northern Europe beyond
the Rhine had been gradually moving
into Gaul.
- With the attacks of the Huns under The Rhine River
Attila, the Goths moved across the
Rhine (It froze over in 405) in such
Gaul, modern day France
numbers that the Roman Legions had
no way of stopping them.
- The Visigoths went into Southern
Gaul, Spain, and Northern Africa.
- The Ostrogoths and Vandals swept
through Italy and into North Africa.
13.3 The Sack of Rome
In 410 Alaric, the
Christian Ostrogoth
leader, pillaged
Rome for three days
in reprisal for not
being paid the
ransom he had
been promised.
The unthinkable
had happened: a
foreign army had
taken Rome.
13.4 The Fall of the Western Roman Empire
By 475 AD much
of the West had
fallen to the
Barbarians.
In 476 the last
Emperor in the
West was
deposed and the
Roman Empire
in the West
collapsed.
13.5 The Eastern Roman Empire

By 477 AD there
was little left to
the Western
Roman Empire;
The Roman Empire
continued in the
East.
13.6 The Five Patriarchies
The church, recently allied with the government, would now have to forge a new
path. It divided itself into five Patriarchies; each Patriarchy adopted an apostle
– Jerusalem: James
– Antioch: Paul
– Alexandria: Mark
– Constantinople: John
– Rome: Peter

Rome was the first Patriarchy to fall to non-Roman control.

13.7 The New Path
The church had to make a new path. It took up the challenge of the barbarian invasion in
three ways:
• A) Leaders Into The Vacuum: The church had organized a parallel system alongside the
political structure of the state. When the state was swept aside the church structure
remained in place. Pope Leo I (440-446) arranged food for the starving population of
Rome and managed to persuade Attila to spare Rome.

• B) Conversion: Missionaries went into the barbarian areas and converted barbarians.
The Celtic monks from Ireland came back into Europe and re-Christianized areas that had
been overrun by the barbarians. Pope Gregory the Great (509-604) said to Augustine of
England: “Destroy as few pagan temples as possible: only destroy their idols, sprinkle
them with holy water, build altars and put relics in the buildings.”

• C) Alliances: The church worked alongside and gave assistance to barbarian kings who
were Christian. An obvious example is Clovis the King of the Franks.
[Raphael, The
Meeting between
Leo the Great and
Attila, 1514: Leo,
escorted by Sts.
Peter and Paul,
meets with the
Attila, the Hun king
outside Rome]
Review Questions
1. It was “an obvious” but “unspoken” truth that…
2. Barbarians were able to cross the Rhine when…
3. In 410 the Goths under Alaric…
4. In ____ the last Emperor in the West was deposed.
5. What happened to the Eastern Roman Empire after 476?
6. Copy and complete the Patriarchy table below:
7. Three ways the church survived were…
Jerusalem
Paul
Alexandria
John
Rome
Focus Question 13
Describe how the Church survived the Fall of Rome.
14. Justinian
Key Terminology and Dates
• Emperor Justinian (483-565): Eastern Emperor
famous for his Code of Law, his strong
Christianity and his attempts to recapture the
West
• Theodora (500-548): wife of Emperor
Justinian; had been an actress; hated by the
elite of Constantinople
14.1 Origins
Justinian succeeded his uncle
Justin as emperor in 527. He was
a Latin rather than a Greek
speaker. His family had humble
origins and Theodora, his wife,
was a former actress. Actors and
actresses were seen as low-class.
The established wealthy families
of Constantinople tended to look
down upon Justinian and
Theodora.
14.2 Wars
Justinian was determined to regain former Roman provinces lost to barbarian
invaders. He conquered the Vandals in northern Africa in 534 and enjoyed an initial
victory over the Ostrogoths in Italy in 540.
War with the Goths, however, lasted
another two decades and brought great
devastation before Justinian gained
control of the whole of Italy in 562.
Unfortunately this left Italy exhausted
and bankrupt.
He was unable to prevent Bulgars, Slavs,
Huns, and Avars from carrying out raids
along the empire's northern frontier.
He also carried on an intermittent war
with Persia on his Eastern Frontier until
561.
Justinian’s Empire (565AD)
Justinian’s Empire (565AD) compared to the
furthest extent of the Roman Empire (117AD)
and the fall of West in 476
 14.3 Government
Justinian reorganized the imperial
government. He commissioned the
reform and codification of the great
body of Roman law known as the Code
of Justinian.
His efforts to stamp out corruption
triggered a revolt in Constantinople in
532 that nearly toppled his government.
This happened while he was away
fighting and his wife, Theodora, helped
him put down the revolt.
14.4 Building
Like all Roman
emperors, Justinian was
an active builder, and
his many public works
projects included the
reconstruction of cities.
He is best known for the
Hagia Sophia, the largest
cathedral for 700 years
and one of most
beautiful and famous
buildings in the world.
Hagia Sophia
Review Questions
1. Justinian was unpopular with the Byzantines because…
and…
2. Justinian’s wars included fighting in…
3. a) The Code of Justinian was…
b) Justinian’s reforms prompted a revolt in 532 which was
suppressed with help from..
4. Justinian’s most famous architectural achievement was...
5. (Extension: Do some research to find out what happened to
the Hagia Sophia in 537, in 1453, in 1935, and in 2020.)
Focus Question 14

Give and explain at least three ways that

Justinian was successful.

OR

Evaluate (give your opinion based on facts)

the fate of the Hagia Sophia in 537, 1453,
1935 and 2020.
Part II: Christianity Legalized; The Fall of Rome (313-500)
Essay Question
• Essay: 300 – 400 words
• Topic: Discuss the Edict of Milan.
• Sources: Your text and at least one other source. Be
sure to note the other source(s).
• Essay Structure: As taught in class
 Part III

The Early Middle Ages

500-800
(Units 15-21)
15. St. Benedict
Key Terminology and Dates

• 525: St. Benedict, founder of Western

Monasticism; establishes Monte Cassino

• Benedictine: A follower of St. Benedict’s

rule
15.1 The Early Years
• St. Benedict, the Father of Western
monasticism and brother of Scholastica, is
considered the patron of Europe. He was born
in Nursia, Italy and educated in Rome.
• Benedict was fed up with the unchristian life in
the city. In about the year 500, he decided to
live the life of a hermit and settled at the
mountainous Subiaco, where he lived in a cave
for three years, fed by another monk.
15.2 First Attempts

• Benedict wanted to be alone but his holiness

became known and he was asked to be the
abbot by a community of monks at Vicovaro.
• He accepted, but when the monks resisted his
strict rule and tried to poison him, he returned
to Subiaco which became a centre of
spirituality and learning.
• Benedict left suddenly, because the efforts of a
neighbouring priest undermined his work.
15.3 Monte Cassino
• In about 525, Benedict settled at Monte Cassino.
He destroyed a pagan temple to Apollo on the
crest, and brought the people of the neighbouring
area back to Christianity.
• Disciples came to him as his reputation for
holiness, wisdom, and miracles spread far and
wide.
• He organized the monks into a single monastic
community and wrote his famous Rule
prescribing common sense, a life of moderate
asceticism, prayer, study, and work, and
community life under one superior. It stressed
obedience, stability, zeal, and had the Divine
Office (Bible readings and prayers) as the centre
of monastic life.
15.4 Patron of Europe

Benedict died at Monte Cassino on

21 March 543. In 1964 Pope Paul VI
named him patron protector of
Europe.
15.5 Self-Discipline
Benedict’s rule divides a person’s day
into 3 periods of eight hours.
- 8 hours for prayer
- 8 hours for work
- 8 hours for sleep
In order to live as a community people
needed to follow the rule.
15.6 Patience
Benedict tried for twenty-five years to
live a life of prayer away from the
world. He attempted to live a prayerful
life at Subiaco, Vicovaro, again at
Subiaco, before he was successful at
Monte Cassino.
15.7 Moderation
Unlike many of the earlier hermits
Benedict’s Rule enabled people of
different ages to live in the same
community. It was based on the
body’s needs.
15.8 Obedience
Even though Benedict wanted to live
alone he knew that God was calling
him to live with others – first at
Vicovaro and Subiaco and finally at
Monte Cassino.
In World War II, allied bombers destroyed the 1000 year old monastery at Monte
Cassino; today it is rebuilt.
 1. Use the BIO STAR to record the life of Benedict:
Background

Remembered Benedict Historic

for.. Background

Rule Lifework
Focus Question 15
Describe how Benedict lived the life
of Jesus in his day.
 16. Monasticism
and
Romanesque Architecture
Key Terminology and Dates
• Monasticism: withdrawal from the everyday
world to seek holiness
• Scriptorium: Room in monastery where books
were copied
• Romanesque: style of architecture
characterised by the rounded arch
• Cupola: inside ceiling of a dome
+
16.1 The Birth of Monasticism

◼ After 313, when Christianity was legal, and especially after 380 when it was the
state religion, the practice of Christianity often became lukewarm. Sometimes
people were baptized just to get a job! And certainly Christians no longer died
for their faith.

◼ Monasticism began as a Spiritual and Social movement to counteract lukewarm

Christianity. Although we say Benedict is the father of Western monasticism
because of the rule he established, others came before him, scouting the way.
Anthony the Hermit (d. 356) is known as the first.

◼ Men and women like Anthony and Benedict would withdraw from the world
either alone or in community in order to
1. live as stronger witnesses to Christ, and
2. become “bloodless martyrs”.
+
16.2 Benefits of Monasticism

In addition to giving individuals the opportunity to live a more

radical Christianity, Monasteries benefited the local communities in
several ways:

1. Monks developed and enriched prayer and liturgy. They

enriched the church with a vibrant example of the life of prayer.

2. Monasteries provided good examples of land management,

often turning “waste” land into productive areas.

3. Monasteries were islands of stability in unsettled times. They

gave refuge to travellers, became centres of learning, and
provided food for the hungry.

4. They became centres for Missionary activity. Often they were

important in converting the local people to Christianity.
+
16.3 The Most Lasting Benefit
But perhaps the most lasting benefit continues to influence us even
today.

Without the monasteries keeping learning alive and the freeing up of

monks in the scriptorium – the room where books were copied – we
would have very limited knowledge of the life, writings and ideas of
people before the year 1000.
+
16.4 Drawbacks of Monasticism

But as with any movement there were

drawbacks as well. For example:

1. There were excesses in monastic

asceticism when the monks lived
their lives too much removed from
the world. St. Jerome praised
celibacy so much that he ended up
saying that marriage was a
necessary evil..
2. Monasticism was sometimes twisted into a double
standard of spirituality. Monks were regarded as
educated and holy while ordinary people were
often regarded as uneducated and unholy.
+
16.5 Romanesque Architecture

Many Monasteries were built

using Romanesque
Architecture. Its name comes
from rounded Roman archways.
Romanesque was the main form
of church building from the 4th
to the 10th centuries.
Cathedrals usually had three doors in the front (representing the Trinity). They had thick
walls and a broad base to allow for the high “heaven-reaching” roofs. They appear very
solidly connected to the ground.

They had small high windows and gave a fortress-like appearance. They could be
defended more easily. This was especially important in the Barbarian-ravaged West.
Romanesque Architecture:
Note the rounded Roman
archways and 3 doors signifying
the Trinity; the interior can be
austere but beautiful.
 Romanesque
Architecture

San Donat, Zadar, Croatia

(800s)

Notice the high windows and

fortress-like construction
+
16.6 Cathedrals
◼ Cathedrals took generations (100s of years) to construct. The people who planned
the structure and started the building did not live to see the final building. Often the
crypt (the basement) of the cathedral would take a generation to complete.
◼ Whole towns would have the
construction as a major project
with everyone working directly
and indirectly on the project.
The projects would sometimes
be interrupted by war, famine
or some other catastrophe.

◼ Cathedrals are a tribute to the

faith of their builders.

◼ (Right: Romanesque Cathedral

of Pisa, Italy. Note the tower.)
+
Review Questions

1. People turned to a monastic life in order to…

2. For the rest of Europe monasticism provided:
a) Good examples…
b) Enriched…
c) Stability…
d) Missionary…
3. Perhaps the most lasting benefit of monasticism is…
4. Problems associated with monasticism were…
5. Characteristics of Romanesque Architecture include…
6. Construction of Cathedrals involved…
+
Focus Question 16

Describe at least one lasting benefit of Monasticism.

17. Islam
Key Terminology and Dates
• 610: Muhammad / Mohammad (pbuh = peace be
upon him) (570-632): A merchant from Mecca
submits to God; founds the religion known as Islam
• Islam: “surrender” to God; the religion originating
with the prophet Mohammed
• Pilgrimage: a spiritual journey to a sacred place or
shrine
• Qur’an: Holy book of Islam
• 717: Emperor Leo halts spread of Islam in East
• 732: Charles Martel, Leader of the Franks, halts
spread of Islam in West
 Muhammad (pbuh)

Islam does not allow images of

Muhammad as he is so important and
holy. What is distinctive about this
medieval portrayal of Muhammad?
17.1 Muhammad and The Night of Power

• One night in the year 610, while praying

in the cave of Hira on Mount Nur (aka
the Hill of Light), Muhammad (570-632)
had a profound religious experience. In
the darkness a voice called his name and
commanded him to “Recite”. This
experience is called the Night of Power.
• Muhammad could not write, but soon
he recited the revelations and thus
began the Muslim holy book, the Qur’an
17.2 The Hegira
• Muhammad taught in Mecca for ten years but in 622 he and his
followers were so persecuted that they fled to Medina
• Their flight is called the Hegira; it marks the first year of the
Muslim calendar.
• Muhammad raised an
army and returned to
Mecca as a victor
17.3 Theological links with Christianity
• Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is Monotheistic; it believes in
one God. Muhammad seems to have been attracted to Christianity,
(he has the idea of the angel Gabriel) but he was exposed to the
Nestorian heresy. This meant that Muhammad believed that
Christians worshipped three separate Gods: The Father, The Son
and The Holy Spirit. Muhammad rejected Christianity because he
believed in a Monotheistic God.
• In spite of this, Moslems believe that Jesus was a Prophet and they
have a special place for his mother Mary (Miriam).The Qu’ran also
has many of the books of the Hebrew Canon (the Old Testament)
17.4 The 5 Pillars of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam are:

1. Faith (Shahada): "There is no god but God

and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
2. Prayer (Salat): Five times a day, facing Mecca
3. Charity (Zakāt): for the poor
4. Fasting (Sawm): No food or drink, sunrise to
sunset, during Ramadan
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj): if able, once in life to
Mecca
17.5 Attacks on Christian Europe
The Roman Empire was in a state of collapse from the Barbarian
invasion. It was almost defenceless against the onslaught of the
spread of Islam by conversion and the sword. Within 100 years of
the death of Mohammed, Arabian led armies swept along the North
African coast, captured much of Spain and entered Southern France.
They were stopped by three things:
1. In 717 the Emperor of the East, Leo the Isaurian, managed to
hold them off in what is present-day Turkey.
2. in 732 Charles Martel stopped their advance in the West at the
battle of Tours .
3. There were deep divisions with the Moslem Leadership.
Study these events on the map below.
17.6 Effects on Christian Europe
Arab-dominated Moslems held on to the North African coast, most of
Spain and the coast of present-day Israel. Shipping was disrupted and
communications were interrupted.
The effects on Christian Europe were:
1. The Loss of the great Patriarchies of Jerusalem, Antioch and
Alexandria. Only Rome and Constantinople (the “old rivals”) were left.
2. The Loss of the great centre of learning at Alexandria. Islamic scholars
were more advanced in Science, Mathematics and Aristotelian
Philosophy.
3. The Isolation of the East from the West. Shipping in the
Mediterranean was subject to raiders from the North African Coast. It
took a year to get a message from Rome to Constantinople and a year
to reply.
Review Questions
1. Mohammed converted in 610 after…
2. In 622 Mohammed and his followers fled Medina. This flight is called the _________ and it
marks the …
3. Islamic theology is linked to Christianity in that:
a) It is a M____________ religion.
b) Jesus is…
c) Mary is..
d) The Qu’ran is…
4. Draw a diagram for the “Five Pillars”.
5. Moslems were prevented from invading Europe
a) In the East by ...
b) In the West by…
c) At home by…
6. The effects on Christian Europe included the:
a) Loss of three Patriarchies at…
b) Loss of learning including…
c) Loss of communication between...
Focus Question 17
Describe the basic beliefs of Islam.
 18. Christian – Islamic Relations

Pope Francis with

Rabbi Abraham Skorka
and Imam Omar
Abboud at the Wailing
Wall, Jerusalem, 26
May 2014
Key Terminology and Dates

• 1453: Fall of Constantinople to

Ottoman Turks; fall of Eastern
Roman Empire
18.1 Conversion

Both Christianity and Islam

aimed to convert people to
their faith. Both faiths had a
striking success within their
first century of existence.
A significant difference was
that Christianity underwent
its phenomenal growth in
spite of persecution (from
the Romans) whereas Islam
was the religion of the
conquerors.
18.2 Tolerance
• On the whole Moslems were tolerant of their Christian and
Jewish subjects. This was especially the case in Spain where
the Moors founded a highly cultured and tolerant Kingdom
that favoured learning.
• There were special roles for Christians within some Islamic
political systems. Because the Christians were outsiders
and could never have total power they were sometimes
seen as trustworthy officials who would remain loyal to
those in power and not become a threat.
• The Coptic Christians in Egypt were pleased to be free of
the centuries-long conflict that they had had with the
powerful and overbearing Patriarchy of Constantinople.
Even today Christians of the West Bank of the Jordan River
report favourably on the tolerance of Moslems.
18.3 Assimilation
The Barbarians in Northern Europe had been assimilated into the Christian
church through the combined efforts of war and missionary activity.
Moslems in Spain and other places that were “recaptured” remained loyal to
Islam.

This medieval work portrays

a Muslim and Christian
woman playing chess.
18.4 On-going Conflicts
There were two on-going points of conflict:
1. The “expansion fronts” of Islam. Moslems
gradually pressured the Eastern Empire
centred at Constantinople although it would be
800 years before it finally fell. There were
continual “niggles” at the Mediterranean
Islands, the Italian peninsula, and Spain.
2. The treatment of pilgrims to the Holy Land.

These two areas of conflict would be combined in the great military and
spiritual exercise known as the Crusades.
18.5 Fall of Constantinople (1453)
But after the runaway success of the 7th and
8th centuries Arabian-led Moslems settled
down to become a continual low-grade threat
to Southern and Eastern Europe. Islamic led
armies fought defensively against the
Crusaders.
It was under the leadership of the Turks in the
15th century, however, that Christian
dominated Europe would again be threatened
by Islamic led armies.
In 1453 the unthinkable happened once
again. Constantinople fell to the Ottoman
army. An empire that traced its direct roots
back two thousand years was defeated; the
last emperor died in battle.
18.6 Ecumenism Today
Vatican II’s Declaration Nostra aetate (28
October 1965) took a huge leap forward in
trying to reconcile Christianity to both Judaism
and Islam. Regarding Islam, it says: “The
Church regards with esteem also the Moslems.
They adore the one God… merciful and all-
powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth…”

Popes since Vatican II have continued this

ecumenical effort.

(Pope Francis with Rabbi Abraham Skorka and

Imam Omar Abboud at the Wailing Wall,
Jerusalem, 26 May 2014)
(18.7 Extension Reading:
from Philip Jenkins, The Lost History of Christianity)
On May 29, 1453, Ottoman Turkish forces stormed and
captured the city of Constantinople, destroying the last
remnants of the Roman Empire. Hagia Sophia, the Church
of the Holy Wisdom, lost its status as the world’s largest
church, becoming instead a mosque. The traumatic
religious implications can be suggested if we imagine a
world in which Christians or Jews annexed and converted
the cities of Mecca and Medina, demolishing the Ka’ba and
turning the Great Mosque into a splendid cathedral or
synagogue. The very thought would be blasphemy for pious
Muslims; and for Christians throughout eastern Europe and
the Middle East, likewise, the fall of Constantinople was
“the day the world ended” (p. 138).
Review Questions
1. a) Similarities between Christianity and Islam include…
b) Differences between Christianity and Islam include…
AREAS OF ON-GOING CONFLICT BETWEEN
2. Evidence of Moslem tolerance of Christians include… CHRISTIANS & MOSLEMS

3. Unlike the Barbarians in Northern Europe, Moslems in

areas recaptured by Christians…
4. Use the map to illustrate the areas of on-going conflict
between Christians and Moslems.
5. What happened in 1453?
6. What is the attitude of Christianity toward Islam today?
7. (Extension: what do you think of Jenkins’ account of the fall
of Constantinople?)
Focus Question 18
Describe the areas of conflict between Christianity
and Islam.
19. Celtic Christianity and Art
Key Terminology and Dates
• Celt: the native inhabitants of Britain,
Gaul and Spain in pre-Roman times.
• St Patrick: Captured as a slave and sent
to Ireland, he later became a priest and
is credited with converting the Irish
• 431: St. Patrick arrives to Ireland as a
missionary
19.1 Roman Collapse
The decline of the Roman Empire was gradual but when it arrived the end was sudden. In
December 405 the Rhine froze over and the Goths who had been settling north of the Rhine for
generations crossed over. The once mighty Roman Legions had been weakened by corruption
and neglect and were unable to deal with the on-rush of the hordes.
Local governors found the centralized system of government from
Rome was no longer supportive. The Western emperors themselves
had withdrawn to Ravenna, a town in the North-Eastern part of the
Italian Peninsula. Ravenna had natural defences; it was surrounded
by swamps.
The Governors of the Roman Province of Britain were told they could
no longer rely on Legions from Rome. They set about organizing their
own local defence. Having been pacified by the Romans in 50 BC it
was unlikely, almost 400 hundred years later, that the once war-like
Britons would instantly turn into an effective fighting force.
Roman Collapse
There were areas of the West that
had never been part of the Empire
 Scotland and Ireland
 the Barbarians left them alone

In these areas lived the Celts.

19.3 St. Patrick
In the second decade of the 5th century
Patrick, a Briton who had been a slave to
the Irish, landed in Gaul to train as a priest.
He found a land that had been totally
abandoned in the wake of the Visigoths.
Eventually he was trained and in 431 Pope
Celestine sent Patrick to Ireland an area
that had never been part of the Empire.
The Celts took to Christianity with wild
abandon and developed a unique and
robust spirituality.
Celtic spirituality was very different to the urban-based
Roman Spirituality of the Empire. Among its characteristics…
• Rural based
• Semi-nomadic, warrior, and tribal-based culture
• Oral-based story telling
• Close to the natural world
• Greater equality for women
• Fosterage of Children
• Respect for learning and crafts
In 563 St. Columba landed on
Iona and founded a
monastery which became the
centre of Celtic Christianity.
Missionaries from Iona
preached to the Northern
Picts and their influence
spread far into Northern
England.
Book of Kells: A documentary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRGQPJIO5CM

“Around the year 750, Irish monks labouring in isolation

on a tiny island of Iona off Scotland's west coast began
work on a book that would outlast empires, a book that
many say may be the greatest illustrated version of the
Gospels ever made….
“It wasn't an easy life. The monks lived and worked in
beehive-like stone structures with few creature comforts.
But their art has been called the work of angels. The Book
of Kells was to be their masterwork: the four Gospels of
the Christian faith laid lovingly onto the page in Latin and
brought to life by the best and most colourful art of the
age.”
19.6 Links with Rome

Celtic Christianity developed its

own monastic tradition and its
own traditions including a separate
date for Easter.
In 664 the Celtic Church had a
synod at Whitby in which the
Celtic church agreed to conform to
Rome.
19.7 Lasting Contribution
The Celts had missions that re-Christianised
whole areas of Europe that had been overrun
by the Barbarians. Celtic missionaries were
present in Gaul, Spain, North Africa and Italy.
Because they were not Romans and because
they were from a “wild” agrarian based
country they were some of the first to break
the Civilas Christianity of the Roman Towns
into the Pagani of the countryside. The Celtic
Church broke through an important cultural
barrier at a vital time in Christian History.
19.8 Celtic Art
Celtic artwork reflects the Celtic Spirituality.
It incorporated intricate interwoven
patterns that represent the interweaving of
earth and heaven.
To a Celt nothing is outside of God. There
are prayers for working, prayers for walking,
prayers before, during and after meals;
prayers at the beginning of the day and
prayers at the beginning of life; prayers at
the end of the day and prayers at the end of
life.
Review Questions

1. The Governors of Roman Britain had difficulty organising

defence because…
2. What parts of the West had never been conquered by Rome?
3. Pope Celestine sent Patrick to Ireland in…
4. Elements of Celtic Spirituality include…
5. Iona was important for…
6. The synod at Whitby in 664 agreed to…
7. The Celts broke through the barrier between Christian Romans
and…
8. In Celtic understanding – and thus in Celtic art – nothing is…
Focus Question 19
Describe the lasting contribution
of the Celts.
19. Sources: Celtic Christianity and Art
Ancient Irish Gregorian Chant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmCp0Xovlcg
• (A day off from terminology and dates ☺)
The Celts were in a unique position
in Western Europe in the 5th century
because, although they were
Christians, they had never been a
part of the Roman Empire. They had
a much greater understanding and
empathy with the Barbarians who
overran the Western Empire.
The Celtic Missionaries in Europe
and North Africa tended to work in
small groups and, unlike in England,
Ireland and Scotland, they did not
set up monasteries.
The Goths were among the most warlike of the tribes. They were
converted by Ulifilas (d. 383) who was known as the “apostle to
the Goths.”
Ulifilas’ mother was a Christian Roman. His father was a pagan
Goth. Ulifilas was brought up as a Christian among the Goths of
the Danube.
When he was on a visit to Constantinople in about 341, Bishop
Eusebius, the friend and biographer of Constantine, made him a
Bishop and sent him back to convert his own people. He spent
the rest of his life working with the Goths.
Ulifilas – in what was to become a standard approach for missionaries throughout the
world – converted the Gothic language into writing and translated the Bible into the
Gothic language, creating the first document of German Literature.
Ulifilas was, unfortunately, an Arian who regarded Jesus as less than God... so the Goths
had to be converted to Orthodox Christianity later.
The Pope allied himself with Christian
Barbarians against other Barbarians.

Clovis, King of the Franks (in Gaul), resisted the

conversion efforts of his Christian wife Clotilde,
but was eventually converted by the power of
her prayers before battle. He issued the decree:
“Know that those who do not present
themselves with me at the river tomorrow
for baptism will incur my displeasure”
Clovis and the Franks allied themselves with
the Pope against the Ostrogoths.
 In the West, the church was the only source of education and
social services. Every citizen paid a tithe to the Bishop, or his
representative, who then administered the money.
 Each diocese maintained at least one “hospital” …a shelter for
the poor, the sick, and travellers.
 The church provided education in Latin, in a Bishop’s
household school.
 Monasteries also had “hospitals” and had schools to train their
monks.
Pope Gregory the Great (p.590-604)
reformed church liturgy and brought
peace and stability to Italy and the
church. He instructed missionaries:
 “The heathen temples of these people
need not be destroyed, only destroy
the idols found in them…adapt the
temples from the service of the devil to
that of the one true God…give the
people their outward joys and they are
more likely to find their way to the true
inner joy.”
1. a) The Celtic Missions in England, Ireland and Scotland were
based in..
b) The Celtic Missions in Europe and North Africa were..
2. Ufilias’s method for the conversion of the Goths was first to…
3. The Franks were converted to Christianity when their king,
Clovis allied himself to…
4. The social services, especially education and healthcare
provided by the Church had a civilising influence on…
5. Pope Gregory the Great encouraged adaptation from paganism
rather than…
Describe how the Church converted the Barbarians.
21. Eastern Christianity / Western Europe
Key Terminology and Dates
• Iconoclast: a person who smashes religious images
21.1 Isolation
The capture of the Eastern Mediterranean by Moslem Arabs meant that the sea
route connecting the Eastern Roman Empire and Western Europe was lost. All
shipping was subject to Arab raiders from the North African coast. It could take up
to a year for a message to get from Rome to Constantinople and another year for
the reply to go back.
21.2 Eastern Esteem
Constantinople saw itself as the “new Rome” inheriting all that was great and glorious
about the old Rome.
The Eastern Empire had been protected
from the Barbarian Invasions that had
destroyed the Western Empire. The
East had a strong centralized
government and army. They were
settled and prosperous whereas the
West was chaotic and poor.
In 451 the Council of Chalcedon had
voted that the Patriarch of
Constantinople should be second only
to the Bishop of Rome (the Pope).
21.3 Drift
Eastern and Western halves of Christian Europe were steadily drifting apart.
In 600, after the reign of
Justinian, Western
Christians still saw
themselves as part of the
Roman Empire ruled from
Constantinople and
“spiritually” led by the
Bishop of Rome.
By 800 the link with
Constantinople had gone.
21.4 Caesaropapism
Justinian (527-65) was a great Emperor
who extended the Eastern Empire to
Spain, but the Emperors who followed
were weaker men.
They used the Patriarch of Constantinople
to increase their power and prestige. The
very close alliance between the church
and the government became known as
Caesaropapism. The inter-reliance meant
that neither the Patriarch nor the
Emperor were keen to take direction from
Rome.
21.5 Differences between East and West
EAST WEST
LANGUAGE Greek Latin

PHILOSOPHY Abstract Practical

THEOLOGY Speculative and included Centralized and restricted

educated laity in debates mainly Monasteries.
PRIESTLY Optional Required
CELEBACY
LITURGY Leavened bread could be used. Only unleavened bread.
21.6 Iconoclasm: The Problem
Iconoclasts were religious people who had a literal
interpretation of the second commandment (Exodus 20:4-5)
“Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth
or under the water or the earth. Do not bow down to an idol and
worship it, because I am the Lord your God.”
This was a very real problem for the largely illiterate West
which relied on images to tell the stories of Christianity.
“What the written word is to those who know letters, the icon is
to the unlettered; what speech is to the ear, the icon is to the
eye” (St. John of Damascus)
21.7 Iconoclasm: The Resolution
The issue was
somewhat resolved
by the Second
Council of Nicaea
(787) which insisted
that images be
“honoured” not
“worshipped”. Still
there were
occasional flare ups
at later times by
other Iconoclastic
leaders. Iconoclasm in Zurich, 1524
Review Questions

1. After the Arabs had captured the North African Coast in about 650 communications between
Constantinople and Rome were…
2. The East looked down on the West because…
3. By 800 the West regarded itself as…
4. Caesaropapism can be defined as…
5. Name the difference between East and West as regards
a) Language:
b) Celibacy:
c) Liturgy:
6. The problem of Iconoclasm was between those who interpret scripture literally and say that there
should be no _________ and illiterate people who need __________ to understand the Gospel.
7. The problem of iconoclasm was at least partially resolved at the ____________________ which
insisted that …
Focus Question 21
Describe at least two growing
differences between the Eastern
and Western Churches.
21. Sources: Eastern Christianity/Western Europe

The most powerful and mystical Russian Orthodox music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otw3By8MmWU
 Part III: The Early Middle Ages (500-800)
Essay Question

• Essay: 300 – 400 words

• Topic: Discuss the rise of Islam and the relations between
Islam and Christianity.
• Sources: Your text and at least one other source.
Be sure to note the other source(s).
• Essay Structure: As taught in class
Timeline, Key Terminology, Focus Questions

Section One: The Roman Age (1-800)

 Timeline: The Roman Age (1-800)
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
49 284-305 410 525 610 717
Council of Diocletian Persecution Sack of Rome St. Benedict founds Mohammed “submits” Islam halted in
Jerusalem Monte Cassino East by Emp.
313 430 Leo
Edict of Milan; Death of Augustine
64
(Christianity
Fire of Rome
legalized)
Death of Peter &
325 431 563 632 732
Paul
Council of Nicaea St. Patrick Ireland as St. Columba founds Death of Mohammed Islam halted in
a missionary Iona monastery West by
65 380 476 Charles Martel
Gospel of Mark Edict of Thessalonica Fall of Western
70 (Emperor Roman Empire
Destruction of Theodosius makes
Temple in Christianity official
Jerusalem religion)

70-90
Gospels of
Matthew, Luke,
John
Key Terminology: The Roman Age (1-800)
Emperor Nero First Emperor to persecute Christians (64 AD)

Apocryphal Stories that are believed to be true.

Evangelist A person who spreads in the Good News of Jesus Christ

Gentile A non-Jewish person

Sanhedrin The ruling body of the Jews in Jerusalem (like a parliament)

Gamaliel Jewish scripture scholar; advised Sanhedrin to let Peter and James go

Martyr A person who is put to death for what they believe in.

St. Stephen The first Christian martyr

Cornelius First gentile to convert to Christianity

St. James First Bishop of Jerusalem; presided at Council of Jerusalem (49AD)

Papal An adjective that is used to describe things to do with the Pope.

Apostate A person who abandons their faith in the face of persecution.

Emperor Hadrian Roman Emperor who did not persecute Christians. Famous for the wall named
after him in Britain.
Emperor Diocletian Resigned after Galarius’s excessive persecution of Christians in 305

Constantine Last emperor of both East and West; in 313 declared Edict of Milan

Edict of Milan Makes Christianity legal; declared by Constantine in 313

Byzantium Greek name for Istanbul / Constantinople; settlement at the Bosporus

Apologist Person who speaks in defence of a position or belief

Early Apologists Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, St Augustine

Stoic Person who lives to a high moral standard as a way of self-improvement; follower of
Greek stoicism
Basilica Roman building used for large public gatherings, later used for Christian churches

Theodosius In 380 with Edict of Thessalonica, makes Christianity the state religion

Arius Theologian from Alexandria that taught Jesus was a perfect man but not God

St. Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria who defended Orthodoxy against Arianism; spent 16 years in
exile
Heresy Part truth that leads people into a false belief

Orthodox Right teaching / right doctrine; also, the Eastern Christian church

Orthopraxis Right living / right practice

St. Ambrose Bishop of Milan. Church father who baptized Augustine. Made Emperor Theodosius
do penance.
Augustine Bishop of Hippo. The “Bridge” between the Classical Roman Learning and the Middle
Ages
Alaric Arian leader of the Ostrogoths, first barbarian army to sack Rome in 410

Barbarians (Gk. “bearded ones”) uncivilized, primitive people; people outside the Roman
Empire
Attila Leader of the Huns, a nomadic people from Mongolia who swept into Europe

Pope Leo I A pope who managed to negotiate with the Goths and the Huns to spare Rome;
organized food for Romans
Emperor Justinian Eastern Emperor famous for his Code of Law, his strong Christianity and his
attempts to recapture the West (483-565)
Theodora Wife of Emperor Justinian; had been an actress; hated by the elite of
Constantinople (500-548)
St. Benedict Founder of Western Monasticism; establishes Monte Cassino in 525

Benedictine A follower of St. Benedict’s rule.

Monasticism Withdrawal from the everyday world to seek holiness

Scriptorium Room in monastery where books were copied

Romanesque Style of architecture characterised by the rounded arch

Cupola The inside ceiling of a dome.

Mohammed A merchant from Mecca submits to God; founds the religion known as Islam
(570-632)
Islam “Surrender” to God; the religion originating with the prophet Mohammed

Pilgrimage A spiritual journey to a sacred place or shrine

Qur’an Holy Book of Islam

Celt The native inhabitants of Britain, Gaul and Spain in pre-Roman times

St. Patrick Captured as a slave and sent to Ireland, he later became a priest and is credited
with converting the Irish
Iconoclast A person who smashes religious images
 Focus Questions I: The Church is Born (1-313)

1. Explain why Peter is considered the first Pope by the Catholic Church.
2. Explain the necessity and the meaning of Christian code like “chi-rho”, the “icthus”
OR the “apero acrostic”.
3. Explain St. Paul’s role in the spread of Christianity.
4. What did Gamaliel say to the Sanhedrin? Did the Sanhedrin follow his advice?
Why or why not?
5. Give and explain at least two reasons why the Council of Jerusalem in 49 AD was
so important.
6. What do you think was the most important achievement of the Roman Empire?
What was its worst legacy? Give your reasons.
7. Explain how the attitude of the Romans towards Christianity changed after 60 AD.
OR Evaluate (give your opinion based on facts) the martyrdom of St Perpetua.
Focus Questions II: Christianity Legalized;
The fall of Rome (313-500)

8. Was Emperor Constantine Christian? Explain.

9. Describe the work of the early Christian apologists.
10. Compare and contrast the Edict of Milan (Christianity legalized in 313) and the
Edict of Thessalonica (Christianity decreed the State Religion in 380).
11. Describe the nature of Jesus according to Christian Orthodox teaching.
12. Describe the difference between the city of God and the city of man in St.
Augustine’s hugely influential work, City of God.
13. Describe how the Church survived the Fall of Rome.
14. Give and explain at least three ways that Justinian was successful. OR Evaluate
(give your opinion based on facts) the fate of the Hagia Sophia in 537, 1453,
1935 and 2020.
Focus Questions III: The Early Middle Ages
(500-800)

15. Describe how Benedict lived the life of Jesus in his day.
16. Describe at least one lasting benefit of Monasticism.
17. Describe the basic beliefs of Islam.
18. Describe the areas of conflict between Christianity and Islam.
19. Describe the lasting contribution of the Celts.
20. Describe how the Church converted the Barbarians.
21. Describe at least two growing differences between the Eastern
and Western Churches.
 Section One: The Roman Age (1-800): Essay Questions
Part I: The Church is Born (1-313AD) (units 1-7)
Answer one of the following:
1. Explain why St. Peter was such an important person in the history of the
Church. OR
2. Explain why St. Paul was such an important person in the history of the
Church. OR
3. Explain why Nero was such a significant person in the development of the
Church.
Part II: Christianity Legalized; The Fall of Rome (313-500) (units 8-14)
– Discuss the Edict of Milan.
Part III: The Early Middle Ages (500-800) (units 15-21)
– Discuss the rise of Islam and the relations between Islam and Christianity.