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Persecution of christians in the roman empire
Emperor neros legacy
Explain the detailed persecution of Christians under Emperor Negro
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Perhaps the most notable of Emperor Nero’s damaging actions took place toward the end of his reign when, following the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE, he pinned the blame for the fire on the Christians; proclaiming that Christians were responsible for the catastrophe. His justification and grounds for this allegation are, even to this day, an issue of debate among scholars because it is difficult to distinguish the extent to which the recorded histories were effected by their writer’s personal biases. Whatever Nero’s true intention was, his accusation led to a considerable amount of cruel treatment and persecution directed toward the Christian citizens of Rome. Subsequent to the allegation, the Roman Christians were viewed, and understandably so, as enemies and arsonists, …show more content…
Specifically in reference to the killings at the famous Roman Colosseum, it appears that, over the course of time, the public executions held there were distributed with some degree of equality among Christian and cultist pagan people. The reason for this lies in the cause of execution; according to historical records, execution in the Roman Colosseum was often the preferred method of punishment for religious treachery. Thereby, Christianity and cult paganism were both legally punishable in this manner under Roman law both before, and during, Nero’s rule. The presentation of this information is not, in any way, meant to minimize the treatment of Christians during this time, but rather to acknowledge that the number of Christian worshippers was not reduced by the degree it was once believed to. In fact, it is still believed that the persecution of Christians in Rome reached its height under Emperor Nero because the laws concerning religion were easily manipulated and abused, something Nero likely took advantage
The rise of Christianity in Rome did not come easily. It came with much destruction and death. The spark of Christianity in Rome came from an appearance of Martyrs in Rome. Martyrs were people that were executed for going against the common beliefs of pagan (polytheistic) ways. (Tignor, 2011, p. 286) Because of these awful executions, Christianity is said to be based off of “the blood of martyrs.” One of their main ways of spreading Christianity was through the sharing of their writings and by 300 CE there was an exceptional amount of book production throughout Rome. (Tignor, 2011, p. 289) “Christianity operated as one among many minority religions in the Roman Empire, and on several occasions experienced widespread persecution, especially under the emperors Nero (r. 54–68), Decius (r. 249–251), and Diocletian (r. 284–305). However, the situation changed radically under the emperor Constantine (r. 306–337), who in 313 issued the Edict of Milan that made Christianity a legitimate religion in the empire.” (Melton, 2010, p. 634)
The Roman Empire began as a small colony, in the city of Rome, and eventually, became one of the largest empires that the world has ever known before its ultimate demise. Because of the vast size of their territory, and the number of cultures they consumed throughout their existence, the Romans were heavily influenced by the Greeks and other Hellenistic civilizations. Two different groups of professors argue this point. Professors Matthews, Platt, and Noble argue this influence is reflected by Roman music, philosophy, literature, architecture, art, culture/government, and technology and science; and Professor Weber argues this is reflected in the areas of government/law, the influence and effects of conquests, culture, religion, architecture and art, and philosophy. Both parties make compelling arguments as to why the Romans were heirs to Greek and Hellenistic civilization however, it will be demonstrated that Matthews et al. provide a more thorough argument than Weber.
The Roman Empire was the most powerful Empire during Antiquity. It is traditionally considered to have “fallen” in 476, when Rome’s last emperor was deposed. Many theories have been presented as to why it fell, from unsound economic and social policies to mass lead poisoning. The actual cause of Rome’s fall is the result of many factors, but was mainly caused by Rome’s poor economic policies.
Emperor Nero, infamously known as one of the most malevolent, oppressive, and tyrannical leader throughout history, was the last ruler of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. He was born outside Rome in Antium and his mother married his great uncle, Emperor Claudius, in order for her son to be the next Emperor of Rome. It wasn’t apparent that her son was to become one of the most feared and cruel leaders in Roman history from 54 CE to 68 CE. By examining his achievements and failures as an emperor, his influences and changes over the entire economic, political and social spectrum are revealed.
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, born 15 December 37 AD, was Roman Emperor from 54 to 68 AD, and the last in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was adopted by his granduncle Claudius to become his heir and successor, and succeeded to the throne in 54AD following Claudius’ suspicious death. Nero focused much of his attention on diplomacy, trade and enhancing the cultural life of the Empire. When he became emperor, Nero was a young man who enjoyed the theater, music and horse racing. Ancient Historian, Suetonius, stated that “Nero degenerated from the good qualities of his ancestors, yet he reporoduced the vices of each of them, as if tramsitted to him by natural inheritance” (Suetonius, 110 AD). His dominating mother, Agrippina, had already
The Roman Empire is credited with many things due partially to their ability to share, spread, and adapt culture. Rome was successful because it both conquered and shared the fruits of conquest with the conquered. Religion was one part of the culture that demonstrated the tolerance of Romans. For example, at the time of Jesus’ birth, paganism could be divided into three spheres: the official state religion, the traditional cults of the hearth and countryside, and the new mystery religions from the East. Even though the official religion in the Roman Empire began as Pagan, it ended as Christianity when Emperor Theodosius declared it as the official religion in A.D. 380. The following examines two works of fiction that deal with religion during the Roman Empire.
Looked down upon by the Romans for public nudity, the Greeks were subject to profuse ridicule. Along with the Greeks, Christians from neighboring societies were blamed for terrible acts such as fires and destruction of properties. Roman Christians saw no problem in accusing their fellow Christians of anything they did not want to take responsibility for or they did not agree with. The refusal of Christians and civilians from conquered nations to praise rulers caused many minute revolutions and even massacres. These indiscriminate killings were only occurring as a result of the rulers’ tarnished false pride; however, these pointless acts were only a portion of the atrocities of Rome (“Moral Principles”).
Nero, born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, was the son of Cnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger. Both his father and his mother were of royal descent, having blood ties with previous rulers and emperors. Nero’s childhood was not a normal one. By the age of two, Nero’s mother had been exiled to the Pontine Islands, charged of adultery. The year following, his father, Domitius, died of edema, and Nero’s inheritance was seized by his uncle Caligula, the emperor at the time. Nero was not left parentless or powerless for long. In the year 41 A.D., Caligula along with his family was murdered and Claudius became the emperor of Rome. Claudius allowed the return Agrippina and took her as his fourth wife. Nero, who was now Claudius’ oldest song and consequently his heir, was next in line for the throne.
After years of fighting and civil wars, order was finally established throughout the Roman empire during the first century AD with the rule of Augustus. Peace and prosperity followed with the reign of Augustus and with the emperors that came into control after him, and it was during this time that Roman architecture began to move away from the traditional Hellenistic and Greek influences and generate its own style.
This biography tells you wonderful facts about Nero. Nero was born on December 15th, 37AD, Antium, Italy. He had a wife named, Sporus, Nero was probably the evilest emperor in Rome. He was literally out of his mind. Nero’s birth name is Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. He killed his second wife by kicking her in the stomach. He’s one of the worst Emperors of Rome, he played the violin while Rome burnt down, Nero’s early life wasn’t very good, his father died, Emperor Caligula exiled Nero’s mother and Nero had to be raised by his aunt. When Caligula was killed and Claudius took over Rome, Claudius let Nero’s mother continue coming back to Rome. Claudius married Agrippina (Nero’s Mom) and Nero became the adopted son of the Emperor. When Nero was
Nero’s infatuation with building and acting was the mark of a man that exploited his role of emperor to pursue his passions and desires. It is possible that the ancient sources had sensationalised aspects of Nero’s life. However, the way his eccentricities were documented and seemingly affected his reign will be discussed. It will be argued that Nero was much more than an extravagant fantasist but an astute individual that used his power for his own gain. Yet, when analysing Nero’s decline it can be attributed to his eccentricities as well as a culmination of poor decisions that he had made.
In the closing years of the 1st century, Roman authorities executed a sufficient number of Christians. In general, the provincial governors had wide discretionary powers of jurisdiction, but knowledge of Nero’s actions may have set a precedent in regards to the handling of Christians and may have also encouraged local enemies of Christians to try to persuade a governor to accept their accusations and proceed against the accused on the assumption that they were guilty of conduct detrimental to the interest of the Roman State.
Polycarp affirms, “If you vainly suppose that I will swear by the genius of Caesar as you request, and pretend not to know who I am, listen carefully: I am a Christian. Now if you want to learn the doctrine of Christianity, name a day and give me a hearing” (10.1). The herald proclaimed “Polycarp has confessed three times that he is a Christian” (12.1). The riotous crowd, composed of both pagans and Jews, shouts, “This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, the destroyer of our gods, who teaches many not to sacrifice or worship” (12.2). By contrast, the crowd is labeled as “lawless heathen” (9.2), “the ungodly” (11.2), and “the lawless ones” (16.1). While the opponents were not “worthy” even of hearing a defense from Polycarp (10.2), he had been “counted worthy” of the day and hour of his martyrdom
Because of the Christians refusal to no longer praise or worship the state gods and emperors; The Roman government killed and prosecuted the Christian members and supporters. On page 74 under the subheading “The Spreading of Christianity” it states that “The Christians believed that there was only one god. To them, the worship of state gods and the emperors meant worshipping-false gods and endangering their own salvation. Soon after, the Roman government began prosecuting
In his letter, Pliny asks for advice from Emperor Trajan on how to prosecute Christians who have emerged in Bithynia. “I have never attended hearings concerning Christians, so I am unaware what is usually punished or investigated, and to what extent” (Pliny, 278). Unaware of the proper prosecution for Christians, Pliny executes several Christians, largely out of their obstinance and on the terrifying rumours surrounding Christianity. “ In the meantime, this is the procedure I followed, in the cases of those brought before me as Christians. I asked them whether they were Christians. If they admitted it, I asked them a second and third time, threatening them with execution. Those who remained obdurate I ordered to be executed, for I was in no doubt, whatever it was which they were confessing, that their obstinacy and their inflexible stubbornness should at any rate be punished” (Pliny, 278). Not knowing of the proper procedure, Pliny both executes and employs torture. In 10.97, Emperor Trajan replies back to Pliny stating, “You have followed the appropriate procedure, my Secundus, in examining the cases before you as Christians, for no general rule can be laid down which would establish a definite routine. Christians are not to be sought out” (Pliny, 279). Trajan’s response illustrates that politicians largely ignored Christians throughout the Early Roman Empire.