Christianity in the Pax Romana

Begins with Jesus. Comes from the Gospels which means good news. Jesus was a Jewish itinerant preacher in Judea who taught Gods personal relationship. Jesus was a threat to Roman rule. After reading the letter of Paul, both Jews and Christians were monotheistic. They refused to worship Roman gods. Early in the Pax Romana, it was easy to travel and to spread ideas. Romans were a receptive audience. Jews and Christians were sometimes prosecuted because they went against Roman law. Christianity embraced all people, gave hope to the powerless, appealed to those who were disgusted by Rome, offered a personal relationship with God, and promised eternal life after death. Roman emperor Constantine sees an image that says in this sign, conquer. He orders troops to put a cross on shields and they end up winning. In 313 the emperor approves Christianity. In 380 it becomes the official religion. The Roman military was too weak. The taxes were too high. There was a population decrease. Division of the empire. The last Roman emperor was in 476.