Assos
Parthenon
The Greco-Roman Religion
Early religions based on ANIMISM
Development of anthropomorphic gods in Ancient Greece, with specific functions (Zeus, Hera, Athena...)
Adoption of these Gods by Roman people and translation of their names into Latin (Jupiter, Juno, Minerva...)
Religious practices: prayers, sacrifices, processions, oracles, votive inscriptions.
Religious buildings: temples (ex. Assos (6th BC), Parthenon (Athens)...)
Roman Temple
The Greco-Roman religion declined because:
-it was a state religion rather than a personal belief
-it did not propose any ethics
-it did not offer any hope after death
Mystery Cults
Mystery cults, offering some ethical principles and hope for resurrection. Ex: Orphic cult, Mithraism, Isis cult
Philosophical answers: quest for transcendancy, moral principles... ex.: Platonism and Neo-Platonism (3rd c. BC)
Isis
School of Athens (Raphael)
Dura-Europos Synagogue (Syria), 244 AD.
The first monotheism: Judaism
Born in Mesopotamia around 2000 BC (Abraham)
10 Commandments given by God to Moses > ethical basis
Construction of a kingdom with its capital and its temple in Jerusalem (Solomon)
Principles: - One God, all-powerful, all-knowing
- Israelites as the “chosen people”, who made a covenant with God
- waiting for the promised Land
Relationship with Romans: Judea became a Roman province.
Revolt in 66> in 70, the Temple was destroyed (cf. Arch of Titus in Rome)
Revolt, in 132 > begginings of the DIASPORA, central in Jewish religion
Arch of Titus in Rome: celebrating the destruction of the JewishTemple
The rise of Christianity
Jesus (4 BC- 30 AD) : born as a Jew, claimed himself the son of God (Messiah). Oppositions of the Jews and the Romans > Crucifixion
The teachings of Jesus:
- love of God and of his son, Jesus
- fraternity: love the other as yourself
-life after death: Heaven for the Good people
The spread of Christianity: role of Paul, addressing the Gentiles (i.e. the non Jewish people), stressing the universality of Christianity (no more circumcision but baptism). Journeys throughout the Mediterranean > the first missionary
Catacomb in Rome
Reasons for Christianity’s success:
-Embraced all people (men, women, slaves, poor, nobles)
-Gave hope to the powerless
-Offered personal relationship with a loving God
- Promised eternal life after death
Roman reactions:
persecutions (Nero in 65, Diocletian at the end of the 3d c.)
> Christianity as a secret cult with symbolism (ex. The fish, the pastor in the Catacombs (underground cemeteries) of Rome)
> martyrdom which enhanced the power of attraction of Christianity
Christianity as a state-religion (Byzantine Empire and Germanic kingdoms)
Escaping persecutions
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