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Early Christianity Founded by followers of Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish teacher
in the first century Spread to Rome through the teachings of Paul and others
following Jesus’ death Faced persecution from Roman emperors
Christians worshiped Jesus as God and not the Roman emperor Christians were different in many ways; people always fear what
is different
Constantine the Great
Roman emperor from 306-337 Won the Battle of Milvan Bridge in 312
while using a Christian symbol as a flag (“In this sign, conquer!”)
Legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan in 313
Began a union between the government and the Church Appointed bishops as magistrates Gave money to the Church
The Roman Catholic Church now became an important political force
Theodosius
Roman emperor from 379-395 Declared the Roman Catholic Church to
be the only legal religion The Church instantly gained widespread
support and power Everyone was now a member of the
Catholic Church due to citizenship, not necessarily personal belief
The Fall of the Roman Empire Economic problems
Decreasing population = fewer taxes, less food production Inflation
Barbarian invasions Visigoths pillaged Rome in 410 Odoacer deposed the last Roman emperor in 476
The Roman Catholic Church survived the fall of Rome and remained a powerful force in Europe, providing some unity
Charlemagne
Became King of the Franks in 768 and expanded his empire to include much of West-Central Europe
His kingdom united Europe for the first time since the fall of the Roman Empire
Pope Leo III crowned him Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire on December 25, 800
This was important for both sides The Church secured an alliance with the
dominant political power and established a principle of the church as the source of political power
Charlemagne had his reign endorsed by the dominant religious power (God’s blessing)
Religious Power The bishop of Rome (the Pope) = the “Vicar of Christ,” the
representative of God Salvation only through the Church
Peasants needed to obey the priests who could read the Bible and determine the will of God
The Priests were “righteous” enough to pray for the souls of the people
Cultural Power Education
Only priests and nobles were educated and literate All knowledge came from the Church; pagan and foreign ideas
were suppressed Society
The Church governed the daily lives of people “Those who pray (clergy); those who fight (nobles); those who
work (peasants)” Art
Most art, literature, sculpture, and music was religious in nature
Notre Dame
Originally housing a school of music, this cathedral took over 60 years to build in the 13th century
Political Power The Catholic Church had strong influence over political
figures and appointments The Investiture Controversy
Henry IV of the Holy Roman Empire Pope Gregory VII
The Crusades The Papal Monarchy = an era of considerable Papal power Pope Urban II
Sought to acquire land in Palestine Called for Christian nobles to start a war against the Turks,
sparking the First Crusade in 1095
The Great Schism Division of Roman Empire in the 4th century Dispute over papal authority Theological, linguistic, political, and geographical differences Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael I
Mutually excommunicated each other in 1054 Gradually the Eastern and Western Churches grew apart
Literature and Philosophy Revival of Greek philosophy Machiavelli Erasmus Increased criticism of the Catholic Church
Politics Rome and Greece provided models for political systems,
trade-based economies, and other social features Development of nation-states
Universities Universities taught law, medicine, theology, and the arts Classes included arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music
theory, grammar, logic, and rhetoric Most Church officials were college graduates by the 13th
century
Religious Dissent and the Inquisition As religious dissent began to grow, the church began to
“purify” Christianity of heresy (beliefs that disagree with Church teaching).
The Inquisition was established as the official court for heresy.
The Inquisition used torture to secure confessions of heresy from people. In many cases those found guilty were executed, usually by burning at the stake.
Their torture techniques are still used today.
Jan Hus• Priest and professor• Challenged some of the
doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church
• Burned at the stake
Pre-Reformers