Christianity

Question 1

2 reasons Christians were typically persecuted

Answer 1

1. Eccentric and exclusive religion

2. Defied Roman authorities even to death

Question 2

Why did Romans stop persecuting Christians

Answer 2

They were able to transform humiliation to a testament to their faith, were no longer condemned to the ring because they didn’t serve the purpose of horrified victim

Question 3

When was the great fire of Rome and who was blamed

Answer 3

64 CE, Christians were blamed

Question 4

What confused Romans about Christians

Answer 4

Monotheism (single God)

Question 5

Per Tacticus Annals, why are Christians hated

Answer 5

Thought of hating mankind because they don’t worship gods who are seen as influencing mankind

Question 6

How were Christians killed

Answer 6

Mockery added to their deaths, torn apart by dogs, crucified, lit on fire

Question 7

What changed in regards to execution when Nero took public things and made them private

Answer 7

Criminals who deserved extreme punishment now given compassion because it was not for public food but to fix one mans evil

Question 8

How were Christians questioned and what resulted

Answer 8

Asked if they were Christians and told the punishment, then they would always admit they were. “Being a Christian will get you questions, but it is your own stubbornness or stupidity in admitting it that is the problem”

Question 9

Define sacreligium

Answer 9

Sac religion: refusal to worship traditional gods or sacred laws

Question 10

What were Christians charged with (4)

Answer 10

Treason: not worshipping Roman gods, not giving offerings to the state, not wanting good things for Rome and the people, not loyal Roman citizens

Question 11

Define maiestas

Answer 11

Crime of not giving respect to the current emperors and deceased spirits

Question 12

What major political change happened in 208 CE

Answer 12

Everyone given Roman citizenship

Question 13

Once everyone was given citizenship in 208 CE, why were Christians targeted

Answer 13

The didn’t follow normal duties of citizens: going to spectacles, worshipping emperors and gods

Question 14

How do we know Christians had been attending munera

Answer 14

It was clarified that munera were bad for Christians to attend

Question 15

Define hellenization

Answer 15

The process of making something or someone Greek

Question 16

What did Athenagoras write about the spectacles

Answer 16

Spectacle = murder, causes those watching to be tainted; need to attend a diety or sacrifice to cleanse yourself; how can it be a religious activity if you are polluting your soul

Question 17

What did Tatian write about spectacle

Answer 17

Games = figurative cannibalism; gladiators purchased and “used up” = figurative consumption; tatian was the founder of a sect in Christianity and uses this argument to combat those who claimed Christians were cannibals

Question 18

What biblical passages led Christians to be viewed as cannibals and incestuous

Answer 18

• consuming God through flesh and blood

- talks about being brothers and sister

Question 19

3 ways spectacles are integrated into Christian understanding la of the soul, the afterlife, morality, etc.

Answer 19

• Hard to understand early Christianity without sport and spectacle
• Struggles of Christians delivered through athletic metaphors
• Important role because of martyrdom

Question 20

Timeline of Christians status under Rome (6 events)

Answer 20

30-33 CE: crucifixion of Jesus Christ
64 CE: great fire of Rome and persecution under Nero
109 CE: Trajanic policy
249-251 CE: empire wide persecution under Emperor Decius
303-311 CE: Great persecution
313 CE: edict of Milan legalized Christianity

Question 21

Define martyr

Answer 21

Being a witness of their faith (has turned into meaning death)

Question 22

How did Christians behave when being killed

Answer 22

Interrogation and refusal to submit, calm in the face of frenzied crowd, stoic death

Question 23

Why did Christians desire death and how did they demonstrate this

Answer 23

Encouraged animals to attack them, wanted a violent death. Viewed as the highest degree of showing ones faith. More violent = more truthful their testimony