Manifestations of Early Christianity

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Manifestations of Early Christianity
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Christianity appears

• Joshua ben Joseph (Jesus), ca. 6 BC- 33 CE
• Judaea
• Paul of Tarsus (5 AD- 67 AD)
• removes Judaism
• preaches applicability to all
• spreads churches

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• Urbanized Roman World

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The Mystery Cults

• Suspicion in Rome over non-Roman faiths
• Julian Laws
• Christianity/Judaism
• Cult of Mithras
• Cult of Isis
• Cult of Gaia

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The Emperor as God

• Augustus deification after his death
• Caligula claimed to be a God while alive
• Emperors grow more dependent on Godhood

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Mithras sacrificing bull
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Mithras as sky god with stars
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Gaia, goddess of earth and fertility
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Christian Threats

• 1st commandment
• secret religious services
• love feast Holy Communion
• bad citizenship
• Major persecutions begin ca. 60s AD, continue
  through 200s
• Martyr person who dies for faith

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St. Denis undergoes martyrdom (15th-c altarpiece)
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Reliquary of St. Henry, ca. 1175 (Louvre)