LECTURE FOR SEPT. 11 -- CHRISTIANITY IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Augustus as Pontifex Maximus:  the stability of the state depends on the favor of the gods

Competitors:  Mithraism

Judaism (from the synagogue at Dura-Europus, early third century AD)

Early Christianity

Anti-Christian Graffiti:  "Alexamenos is Worshipping his God."  Rome, Second Century

The Catacombs of Rome

Inscribed slabs sealing burial niches

Breaking bread

The Good Shepherd

The raising of Lazarus

Prayer

Sarcophagus depicting Christ's Passion

Christian Martyrdom:  damnatio ad bestias

Diocletian

Constantine:

Map:  Roman empire at the time of Constantine's accession

The Milvian Bridge, Rome:

Coin of Constantine, with dedication to the "Unconquered Sun" on reverse:

Constantinople, city plan: