Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum
Colosseum in a Model of Ancient Rome
in the Museo di Roma
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TRS 220: Early Christian Communities and the Establishment of the Church |
| Topic 1 |
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Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum |
Colosseum in a Model of Ancient Rome in the Museo di Roma |
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Religion in the Ancient World |
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| Pax Romana = The Roman Peace |
Emperors Hadrian (24 January 76-†10 July 138), Marcus Aurelius (6 April 121 -†17 March 180 ) last of the five "Good Emperors" |
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Religion in the Roman Empire during the First Three Centuries Roman Traditional Religion |
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The God Mithras
slaying a bull. The blood of the bull played an important part in the
religious rites of Mithraism, probably similar to the rite of baptism in
Christianity. This image captured this central element of Mithraic
belief. Mithraic rites were conducted in a
temple. An altar with a sculpture of
Mithras usually was in the center of the room. |
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The Roman Empire's Influence on the Christian Church
1. The Constitution of Constantine's Christian Church copies the Roman Empire
| Civitas (City), Diocese, Province |
| Deacon, Priest, Bishop, Patriarch |
2. The Emperor Constantine summoned the First Council of Nicaea (May-August 325) and established the Nicene Creed, the fundamental declaration of Christian faith accepted today by many Christians as a statement of their fundamental beliefs.
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Theocracy |
The Development of Papal Primacy
The Three Pillars of Early Christianity that will shape the future Church
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Missionaries |
Saints |
 San Lorenzo in Miranda, Rome For Another Example of a Temple Turned into a Church: Santa Lucia, Siracusa --- Click on the Picture (Temple dedicated to Faustina, wife of Antoninus Pius in 141 AD) |
