Intro to Antiquity Beliefs

Polytheism vs. Monotheism

• Antiquity is mainly polytheistic whereas modernity is monotheistic

  • Think greek mythology of ancient greece

  • Think Christianity of now

Polytheism

• Belief in many gods and goddesses

• thousands different cults, all ranging in sizes)

• more down to earth

• more accepting of diversity of divinity and cultures of worship

• “their gods were also their fellow citizens”

• priests served the gods on behalf of community

• transactional

• temples were LITERALLY homes of divinity

• Covenant (agreement)

Monotheism

• Belief in one god to the exclusion of all others

• holy scriptures

1st Christian empire

• The first christian emperor is Constantine

  • 313 AD - 325 AD