persecution Flashcards
(27 cards)
describe the charge of atheism against christians
christians denied to worship the roman gods and emperor. this was the most important reason for their persecution
romans believed that by offending the gods it led to public calamity so if disaster fell economically, socially or politically pagans believed it was it was the fault of those who didn’t worship the gods and the state
who where christians first persecuted against
the jews which meant there was no state hostility
describe the charge of cannibalism against christians
the charge arose due to deranged versions of what happened at the last supper due to christians partaking of the flesh and blood of christ led them to believe they are cannibals.
how where christians thought to be a threat to the state?
romans feared a revolt against the government. so the government disrupted any unions or secret societies incase they plotted to overthrow.
how did christians manage to get around the ban on meetings
set up as a burial club in order to meet up without being persecuted
why did nero begin persecuting christians
a great fire broke out in Rome with great loss of life and property, suspicion fell on Nero who wanted to get rid of an area in order to extend his palace. therefor he used the christians as a scapegoat
how did Tacitus describe the punishment given to the christians by nero
“punished with the utmost refinements of cruelty”
describe the course of persecution by nero (R banks)
an immense multitude were arrested
death penalty administered in such a way to entertain and amuse the public swell to humiliate the victim
nero had a perverse delight for cruelty burning christians in his gardens to light it up.
what was the impact of Neros persecution on christians
christianity was made a religious illicita (no legal recognition)
change in state attitude the hatred stirred against the church
Neros actions served in a general way as a precedent for later rulers
how where nero and Domitian similar
Domitian was regarded as Neros successor in terms of hostility to God
example of Domitian acting against those charged with atheism
Flavius Clemens the emperors cousin was executed due to being christian and his wife was exiled to an island
why did Domitian want to persecute christians
Domitian had a lot of enthusiasm for the imperial cult
describe how Domitian persecuted against christians
great number of men distinguished by birth (born wealthy) where executed without a fair trial and others where banished from the country
who were Pliny and Trajan
emperor Trajan and lawyer Pliny
where and why did Trajan send Pliny
sent to bithynia in 112ad to fix a corrupt local government as he was by the book
what did Pliny encounter on his journey
encountered christians, he was unsure what do to with them as he had never been to christian trials and there was no empire wide policy. so he wrote to Pliny for advice
what was Pliny unsure about regarding the persecution of christians
Pliny was unsure if age or if they renounced the faith had an impact on the severity of punishment.
what did Pliny tell Trajan his procedure was
he asked the accused christians up to three times if they where a christian reminding them each time of the punishments and if they still said yes they would be led
off for execution
how did Pliny describe the christians he encountered
“afflicted with like madness” telling us how low romans thought of christians as though they were mentally unwell
what was Trojans reply to Pliny
that it was the correct procedure
however Trajan stated “no general decision can be made” - very unclear uncertainty within roman law which gives christianity space to grow
Trajan also states “they mustn’t be ferreted out” tells us he doesn’t really mind living with christians in Rome - not seen as criminals
however also states “if they are found and convicted they must be punished” uncertainty on law empire wide allows christianity to grow
what was on the anonymous letter Pliny received?
the names of christians some already been questioned others not
what did Pliny do with the anonymous letter
took it serious and went to all the names on the list making them invoke the gods and do reverence to your image showing how the roman interest was to maintain traditional values.
what did Trajan think of what Pliny had done with the anonymous letter?
Trajan thought Pliny should have shown no attention to it as they are unworthy
what does this correspondence tell us about how christians where treated?
Pliny states “they were led off to be executed when accused” and “slaves were tortured”
