First Emperor
During the reign of (Octavian) there was peace and prosperity. Octavian is more commonly known as (Caesar Augustus). (Octavian) was a master politician by pretending to share power with the (people) and by declaring himself (“First Citizen”), when in actuality he was a (monarch/dictator/emperor). Because the Roman Empire controlled the entire (Mediterranean) Sea, he was able to stop the (pirates) that disrupted trade. He also introduced (coins) that were accepted almost everywhere. This also led to prosperous trade.
Even though (Octavian) was not a Christian, he still recognized the importance of (morality) for the success of any nation.
There was political instability in the Roman Empire for two main reasons.
1. Augustus (Octavian) didn't choose a (successor).
2. The Roman Army was no longer (loyal) to (Rome) but to their (commanders).
One way that new leaders tried to keep power was by keeping the people happy. They did this by giving free (grain) and by providing free (entertainment - "the games").
Contributions
Virgil wrote the classic (Aeneid), which connected the Roman civilization to the (Greeks).
Ptolemy created the (Geocentric) Theory, which said that the (sun) revolved around the (earth).
Roman Law is used to this day in the U.S. Read the Roman law and explain how the U.S. is influenced by it.
The burden of proof is upon the party affirming, not on the party denying.
(You are innocent until proven guilty)
In inflicting penalties, the age and inexperience of the guilty party must be taken into account.
(We have a court for juveniles)
In case of equal [and conflicting] claims, the party in possession ought to be considered in the stronger position.
(We say that “possession is 9/10ths the law”)
“The Games”
The were four types of "games": (naval battles), (gladiator) fights, (chariot) races, and wild (animals). The most famous arena where games took place is the (Colosseum) in Rome. Among the people forced to participate in the "games" were many (Christians). Why were these "games" free?
(These games were free to keep the people happy.)
Religion
Two big movements/religions were (Epicureanism) and (Stoicism).
Epicureanism taught that true happiness comes from freeing yourself of (fear) and (pain). This has some elements of truth because in Matthew 6:25 we are told to not (worry). Epicureanism falls short, however, because it completely leaves out our need for (Jesus). It also taught that there is no after life. Due to these teachings, people began to believe that you could…
(do whatever you want now because this life is all there is.)
Stoicism taught that you need to live a (moral life) to be good. This is partially true because, as Christians we are called to live (moral lives). The problem is no one can live a moral life without (Christ).
Eventually Romans began worshiping their (emperors) as (gods).
Spread of Christianity
Jews from this time rejected (Jesus) as the Messiah because they expected the Messiah to…
(overthrow the Roman Empire).
God used the Roman Empire in three ways to make the spread of (Christianity) possible:
1. There was a good (road) system.
2. There was (safe travel) due to the stability of the Roman Empire.
3. (Greek) was the common language.
Christianity spread outside of Israel due to two major things:
1. (Paul’s) missionary journeys.
2. The destruction of (Jerusalem).
With the (temple) in Jerusalem destroyed, missionaries would visit (synagogues), which became the center of Jewish worship.
Persecution of Christianity
Early on, Christians were persecuted by fellow (Jews). An example of this in the Bible is the stoning of (Stephen). The man that oversaw the stoning was (Saul). Despite the fact that (Saul) killed Christians, (Jesus) spoke to him, forgave him, and (Saul) was renamed (Paul). This should be encouraging because
(it shows the God’s great forgiveness).
Romans also persecuted Christians because they wouldn’t attend (“the games”) in the Colosseum, they wouldn’t worship the (emperor), and the number of Christians was (rapidly growing). Some examples of Roman persecution are:
1. Emperor (Nero) burned (Rome) and then blamed (Christians).
2. Romans destroyed (churches).
3. Romans burned copies of (the Bible).
4. Romans killed some Christians in the (“the games”).
Christianity Accepted
Despite all of the persecution, Christianity (flourished/grew). Eventually, Emperor (Constantine) became the first Christian Emperor and ended the persecution. (Constantine) then helped Christians by:
1. Restoring (church) property.
2. (Sunday) was made a holiday.
3. He gave money to (build more churches).
The help of the Roman Empire may seem like a good thing for Christianity, but it led to a decline in the church. People joined the church because (it was the “cool” thing to do). This also caused the church and Christians to become more (worldly). Ultimately, Rome’s endorsement of Christianity watered down the church.
Rome’s Decline
The Roman Empire began to weaken due to many reasons. Politically Rome was still unstable because there was no system for (successors). Remember people were (loyal) to their (commanders), not to (Rome). Rome was weak economically due to:
1. The growing costs of keeping a large (army).
2. Rome had problems with a large (inflation) rate.
3. (Taxes) increased to pay government expenses.
4. (Trade) declined because high (inflation) meant that people stopped using coins and
used the (barter) system.
Finally, (morals) in the Roman Empire were growing worse and worse. Romans grew greedier, lazier, and were overall more immoral.
Attempts to Save the Empire
Rome tried to save the Empire by:
1. (Dividing the Empire in half) – Eastern Roman Empire and Western Roman Empire.
2. Set maximum prices on items to reduce (inflation).
3. Introduced new (gold) and (silver) coins to reduce (inflation).
4. The capital was moved from (Rome) to (Constantinople).
Invasion
Rome was overrun first by (Germanic) tribes, and then by the (Huns) led by Atilla.