SkillBuilder discussion Continuity and change 1. Describe the architectural design of the Pantheon. 2. What role would the Pantheon play in Roman religious practices before it was converted into a Christian church?
SOURCE5 The Pantheon, the largest Roman temple. It was built between 118 and 128 CE.
3. The Pantheon was
converted to a Christian church in the seventh century. How might its function have changed?
Did you know? Roman priests and priestesses performed rituals to please the gods. The Vestal Virgins were important, keeping the ýre for the goddess Vesta. They could be executed for having relationships.
5.10.3 The spread of Christianity Christianity began in Roman Palestine around the ýrst century CE. It was based on Jesus of Nazareth’s teachings. He said he was God’s son and taught people to be kind. Some saw this as blasphemous , and he was arrested and cruciýed by Pontius Pilate. Jesus’ followers shared his message, bringing hope to many, especially the poor and slaves. The Romans saw Christianity as a threat because Christians wouldn’t worship the emperor. Persecution continued until Emperor Constantine legalised Christianity in 313 CE, making it the state religion by 391 CE.
SOURCE6 Account by the Roman historian, Tacitus (c. 55–117 CE), of the persecution of Christians by the Emperor Nero
Dressed in wild animals’ skins [the Christians] were torn to pieces by dogs, or cruciýed, or made into torches to be ignited after dark. Nero provided his Gardens for the spectacle, and ... mingled with the crowd ... Despite their guilt as Christians, and the ruthless punishment it deserved, the victims were pitied. For it was felt that they were being sacriýced to one man’s brutality rather than to the nation’s interest.
SOURCE7 From the Edict of Milan, in which Emperor Constantine granted religious freedom. An edict is a formal command.
... no one whatsoever should be denied freedom to devote himself either to the cult of the Christians or to such religion as he deems best suited for himself ...
TOPIC5 Ancient Rome 163
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