Judaism and Early Christianity

The Judeo-Christian Spirit

 The Judaic Tradition
Judaism preceded the Christian faith
Great influence on Western civilization
Monotheistic religion
Old Testament--man’s relationship with
God
 History and the Israelites
Patriarchs
David (c.1000-961 B.C.)
Solomon (961-922 B.C.)Temple of
Jerusalem
Babylonian exile (587-450 B.C.)
Aramaic, the Devil
Return to Palestine, Temple rebuilt
Herod d. 4 B.C. Diaspora, persecution
 The Hebrew Bible
Yaweh
Bible transmitted orally until 1,000 B.C
Torah-- instruction
Prophets--duty to God
Writings-- psalms, wisdom
 Book of Job
Apocalypse-- coming of the messiah:
overthrow foreign rulers, restore glories of
King David.
 The Rise of Christianity
By 400, Christianity religion of Roman
Empire
Forgiveness of sins, everlasting life after
death: Sermon on the Mount
Peter given the keys; first pope
 Jesus of Nazareth
Love one another, forsake material goods
Teacher: parables
From his death came the beginning of the
new religious faith
 The Growth of Christianity
Paul (d. 64?)
Roman army sacked Jerusalem destroyed
Second Temple.(70)
Gospels written after 70
Christianity separate from Judaism in 2nd
century.
Eucharist: Christ’s last supper
 Early Christianity
Baptism: a new beginning
Constantine: baptism before death
New Testament written in Greek
Paul’s letters followed by four gospels
Early Christians worshipped in catacombs
Catacomb wall paintings depicted religious
scenes
Christianity in the Late Roman Empire

Christianity’s equality before God was

attractive to slaves and the poor
Art--blend of Christian figures and classical
style: Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus.
Symbols--ikons: sacred images
 Constantine and Christianity
Constantine’s dream “In this sign you will
conquer.”
Spread Christianity throughout the Roman
Empire
By the 5th century, the Christian church
was the most powerful institution in the
world.
 Christian Philosophy
Pagan philosophies: Manicheanism and
Neoplatonism
Hypatia: killed by Christian zealots
Library at Alexandria burned
Eventually classical beliefs were
synthesized into the Church’s beliefs.
Patristic tradition: Four Fathers of Church
 Augustine of Hippo
Christian soul always at war with itself.
Original sin
Rome’s sacking in 410 was blamed on
Christian’s not doing civic duties
Augustine asked Christians to obey the
state
 The Christian Empires:Rome and
Byzantium
Grand new capital of Roman Empire:
Constantinople in Turkey
Rome, sacked by barbarians went into
decline and turmoil
Difference in the Christian Greek Church:
Byzantine Orthodox and the Latin:
Catholic.
 St. Peter’s and the Pope
St. Peter’s was built over the saint’s tomb
outside Rome
Basilica-style structure for early churches
Narthex, aisles, nave, transept and apse
Rome moved to Ravenna; 476, last Roman
emperor abdicated to the Goths
Pope supreme authority of the Roman
Church
Justinian and the Byzantine World
Byzantine Empire stable: Church under
the rule of the emperor
Emperor Justinian, 6th century, reformed
Roman law, fostered culture; co-ruled with
wife Theodora
Commissioned the Hagia Sophia: Largest
church in Christendom
 Hagia Sophia
Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of
Miletus: built it in 6 years—rebuilt after fire
destroyed it.
Domed basilica: rectangular hall with a
dome in the center. Pendentive
construction. Dome: 180 feet in height
Intricate decoration, mosaics, windows,
gold.
Ravenna: Showcase of the Christian
Arts
Mosaic representations of Bible stories
Sant’Apollinaire Nuovo: Procession of
Virgin Martyrs
Christ depicted as royalty--to please royal
patrons
Decline of naturalism-- spiritual, symbolic
representation
 San Vitale of Ravenna
San Vitale: truly Byzantine; central plan
Second story gallery for female
worshippers
Mosaics of Justinian and Theodora
Royal power and Church power
 Christianity and the Arts
Struggle of early church against music
and theater
Music, associated with paganism,
banned from Christian worship
Vocal music: Chants: Gregorian chants
(plainchant or plainsong)
Monophonic until the 12th century
Boethius
 The Christians and Theater
Actors could not be baptized
Virtually disappeared from society until the
10th century
Iconoclasm: Icons removed from Byzantine
churches and destroyed
Struggles between the Christian faith and
creative arts