14.1 Religion in the Roman Empire

14.1 Religion in the Roman Empire

The Roman gods

• In the early stages of Rome on the Italian Peninsula, Romans thought that spirits or powerful forces of nature

• Romans began to interact with the Greeks and decided to take the Greek gods and goddesses and adopt them.

• There are countless modern connections to ancient Roman gods/goddesses

The Roman gods

• Jupiter/Zeus - the planet Jupiter (largest planet/most powerful god)

• Ceres/Demeter - the word cereal (goddess of agriculture)

• Mars/Ares - planet Mars; also the month of March (formerly Mars in latin). Mars is red (the color of blood)

• Venus/Aphrodite - planet Venus; brightest planet ('brightest'/most beautiful goddesses)

• Juno/Hera - Jupiter's wife (we name scientific mission to Jupiter - Juno)

The Roman gods

• They also borrowed qualities of gods and goddesses from the Etruscans, Egyptians, and Celtics.

• Minerva (Etruscan) combined with Athena to become the goddess of crafts, war, and wisdom

• The Northern part of the empire borrowed from the Celtics

• The eastern part borrowed from the Egyptians

Multiple Select

What TWO things did the Romans believe about their gods BEFORE they talked to Greece.

• they were spirits

• they were angels

• they weren't real

• they were forces of nature

Open Ended

Explain one modern connection to a Greek/Roman god.

Multiple Select

What other cultures did the Romans borrow from? (Pick THREE)

• Egyptians

• Celtics

• Etruscans

• Persians

Roman Beliefs

• Temples were built for worship and honoring the gods/goddesses

• Worship was done by offering expensive food or incense and sacrificing animals on altars

• Each god/goddesses had specific 'favorites' as offerings.

• Worship was also done at household altars (seen here)

Roman Beliefs

• Up until 300's AD the Roman religion was the required state religion. By law you had to worship the Roman gods/goddesses in their temples.

• The Romans thought that this was the only way to ensure the empire stayed safe and prospered.

Roman Beliefs

• Every Emperor was considered the religious, military, AND political leader.

• They oversaw worship ceremonies and ordered priests to perform rituals. They saw religion as the way to ensure the empire stayed united.

• Overtime, the Emperors themselves were worshiped as gods. Refusal to worship them could mean death

Multiple Select

Romans gave offerings to the gods and goddesses where? (pick 2)

• public baths

• temples

• circuses

• household altars

Multiple Choice

True/False: Romans did not have to worship the Roman gods and goddesses if they really didn't want to.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

What THREE things was the emperor in charge of?

• politics

• farming

• religion

• military

Other Religions in Rome

• Rome was MASSIVE and had dozens of unique cultures running through it.

• Other cultures were allowed to worship their religions as long as they continued to participate in the state religion.

• Mystery Religions began to form as the cultures intersected and focused on the worship of the seasons or specific deities.

Other Religions in Rome

• Philosophy itself became like a religion.

• Epicureanism - seek and achieve balance in life and you will be happy

• Stoicism - fate decides everything, but you are still responsible for your actions and should live virtuously

Other Religions in Rome

• Jews were spread all across the Roman Empire.

• Jewish people refused to worship Roman gods, but didn't encourage others to follow their lead.

• Because Jews kept to themselves Romans mostly allowed them to have their own religion, but some people resented and persecuted them

Multiple Choice

True/False: If I, as a Roman citizen, wanted to worship BOTH the Roman gods AND the Egyptian ones, I would be thrown in jail.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

What TWO things developed into mini religions?

• philosophy

• breakfast cereal obsessions

• mystery religions

• Farming techniques

Open Ended

How did the Jewish people interact with Roman religion and how the the Romans respond?

Under Roman Rule

• How did the Jews get under Roman rule?

• 63 BC Judea and Syria become part of the Roman Empire

• Jews had previously begun to move into the Roman Empire; mainly into Greece, Syria, and Egypt.

Under Roman Rule

• Before it officially becomes a Roman Province, Judea is ruled by Herod the Great from 37 BC to 4 BC

• Under Herod, as long as the Jews paid taxes, they were free to practice religion as they chose.

• Herod uses their tax money to rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem

Under Roman Rule

• Caligula (the mad emperor) demands to put his statue in the temple and this starts a series of conflicts between Rome and the Jews

• 66 AD - the Jews revolt for the 1st time (Judea)

• 70 AD - Emperor Titus crushed the revolt and destroys the temple in Jerusalem. Rome wins this round.

Under Roman Rule

• 115 AD - Jews revolt a 2nd time, but this time it's all across Rome. Other marginalized groups join in. Two years later the Romans win again.

• 132 AD - Jews revolt a 3rd time (Judea)

• Rome responds more violently and its estimated that half a million Jews die. Rome wins again

Under Roman Rule

• Emperor Hadrian forces all Jews to leave Jerusalem and the Romans rename Judea to show the Jews they had power over them.

• Around this time, a sect of Judaism emerges: Christianity! It begins to spread through the areas surrounding Judea.

• By 135 AD Christianity is recognized as its own unique religion.

Multiple Choice

Who is the first Roman ruler of Judea/the Jews?

• Julius Caesar

• Herod

• Emmanuel

• Caligula

Open Ended

Why does Hadrian force the Jews out of Jerusalem and rename Judea?