21. Rise of Christianity, Chariot Racing

How does this image explain roman attitude toward governance?

• The canadian border explains the pragmatic nature of the roman governance 

• The romans did not care about your personal belief but more on if they followed established rules 

• Like how the border just checks if your carrying alcohol, they dont ask what your religion is in order to pass

Rome and Judaea 

What happens to Judaea?

• Judaea becomes a roman province 

• 2 full scale jewish revolts which judaea gets renamed as palestine

How did christianity first start off in society?

• Widespread unofficial persecutions would occur 

• Many rumours and paranoia surrounding christians (ex. Cannibalism, incest, etc)

How did Christians see themselves?

• Martyrs - means witness 

• Said they were witnesses

What was the great persecution of Diocletian?

• Claim was that christians were disrupting the peace of the gods (pax deorum) 

• Diocletian then claimed that he had obligation to maintain religious order 

• No longer a ‘canadian border’ but now you must worship what diocletian says to worship 

What did Constantine dream of?

• Dreamt of a cross that said “in this sign conquer”

• This caused him to put the christogram (christ symbol) on the soldiers shields 

What was Constantine's relation with christians?

• Constantine basically found out how widespread christianity was 

• Decided to use it to his benefit and basically supported christians 

• Refused to carry out persecution laws 

What is Pagan? What would happen to them near the end (after christianity became more dominant)?

• Non christians 

• Banned public practice of other religions 

What is a god-fearer?

• Adopting practices of judaism 

What did Romans inside of judaea think of judaism vs people outside of judaea?

• Inside: Didn’t like them, thought they were nationalists and rouge 

• Outside: thought  jews were cultured, rich, smart

How could one be forgiven for their sins?

• Must go to temple of jerusalem 

• Then sacrifice an animal 

Who is John the baptist?

• Cousin of jesus 

• Jew

How did John claim you could be purified?

• By simply dipping yourself in water

• He would perform these baptisms for others 

What was the claim 50 days after jesus’ death?

• A fire appeared over the heads of the followers of jesus 

• A message was given to them to convert non jews 

What did the Roman empire do to the temple of Jerusalem?

Destroyed it

What was the result of this?

• The followers of jesus who believed you could be be freed of sins without going to the temple, their argument became stronger

Who is Paul of Tarsus?

• “Inventor of christianity”

• Turns the religion into a very universal religion 

Who are bishops?

• Overseers 

• Would organize the followers and tell you what is right and wrong

How did the thoughts of jesus’ teaching differ from the mindset of an aristocrat?

• Jesus taught that god loves everyone equally 

• If a poor widow gave 2 copper coins (if that’s all she had), it would be worth more than an aristocrat giving a large donation 

 Why was constantine considered a christian emperor if he did not practice during his lifetime?

• He converted to Christianity on his deathbed 

How did Costantine go about tetrarchy?

• Makes 3 of his sons and 1 nephew joint rulers 

What is this? 

• Arch of Constantine

Why was Julian, the nephew ruler, called the Apostate?

• Once he became sole ruler he tried to remove the dominance of christianity 

• However, he was considered to be the most “christian” in his ways, therefore apostate 

Migration of the Huns and the Goths 

• Roman empire allowed some of these people to migrate into empire as refugees 

• When this was permitted, thousands more began to illegally cross over 

The Battle of Adrianopolis, who succeeded?

• The goths and huns defeated the romans and killed the empire

What compromise was made with the goths?

• Goths would be given part of the roman empire and be given autonomy in return for military support 

What is this? 

• Base of an obelisk 

• Depicting musicians and acrobats (at the circus) 

• Shows to which extent christian emperors relied on popular support 

Where were Roman Chariot Racings held and why?

• Held in circus 

• Part of a religious festival

What is this? 

• Circus maximus 

• Biggest circus

What was the double wall called that divided the arena?

• The spine 

How did you know you were at the circus maximus? 

• The pillars would have 7 eggs or 7 dolphins on them

• An egg would be added/ a dolphin would be flipped per lap 

Why did the pillars have eggs/dolphins on them?

• We dont know 

What are factions?

• 4 teams in chariot racing 

What is this? 

• Tombstone 

• Husband + wife commemorating that they once held a chariot race 

What was the most popular sport in Rome?

• Chariot Racing 

Who were the charioteers?

• Usually slaves/ ex-slaves 

What is Miliarii?

• Means “the thousand men”

• Meant you had won a thousand races 

What is this?

• Quadriga 

• Means 4 horse team 

What is the rope on the man? 

• Protective ‘corset’ to protect chest 

Why did the charioteer carry a knife?

• Would race w/ four horses side by side 

• Would steer the horses with reigns attached to different body parts

• Would use the knife to cut himself loose if there was a crash 

What is this?

• Starting gates 

What is this? 

• Called shipwreck when charioteers crashed 

What prizes were won in charioteer games?

• Palm branch (sign of respect and honour) 

• Wreath 

• Money (about 12x a soldiers yearly salary)