Pagans and Christians in Roman Italy
Richard J. Goodrich
Dept. of History
Gonzaga University
Overview
Although Christianity emerged from an eastern, Jewish context, its spread around the Mediterranean was facilitated by the existence of the Roman Empire. In many ways, Christianity is a Roman Religion. Pagans and Christians in Roman Italy will explore the development of Christianity in its cultural and religious context. We shall begin with a close examination of how Romans conceptualized their relationships with the gods and the supernatural world. How did Roman religion(s) work? What role did the gods play in the civic life of the Empire? Did all Romans believe in the gods? What were the alternatives to the mainline religions? How did Roman philosophy intersect with Roman religion?
Having developed a framework for understanding Roman religious beliefs and practices, we shall then turn our attention to the advent of Christianity. How did traditional Romans view members of the nascent Christian movement? How did the Christians address Roman concerns and attempt to win toleration for their faith? Why were Christians persecuted by the Romans, and how did they respond to a growing Imperial intolerance for the faith?
The final two weeks of the course will study the impact of the Edict of Milan upon both Christianity and traditional Roman religions. Christianity began the fourth century as a persecuted religion, but in less than 100 years it had moved to the center of society, and was becoming the religion of the Empire. How did Christianity achieve this sudden success? What part did the emperors, from Constantine onward play in shaping the faith? How did the legalization of the faith catapult Italian bishops, especially those of Rome and Milan, to prominence in Roman society? How did the followers of traditional Roman religions react to the Christianization of the Empire?
Although Christianity ultimately did become the dominant religion of Medieval Italy, the Renaissance drew heavily upon its pagan classical legacy, with images and stories of the gods appearing in both art and literature. Renaissance humanism was also inspired by the great philosophical systems of Greece and Rome. Because this class will be offered in Florence, we will have a unique opportunity to observe how both strands of Italy's religious history ­­­ pagan and Christian ­­­ were redeployed in the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries. During the first, second, and fourth week of class, we shall be out in the field, visiting museums and churches in order to examine firsthand how this legacy was interpreted by the artists and thinkers of the Renaissance.
Preliminary Schedule
Week 1: Religion in the Early Roman Empire
What was Roman Religion?
Private vs. Public Religion
The Gods of Empire
The Gods in the Renaissance
Week 2: Rational Religion and the Mystery Cults
Philosophical Approaches to the Supernatural
Neo­Platonism
New Religious Alternatives
Marsilio Ficino and Florentine Academy
Week 3: Christianity in the Early Roman Empire
Christianity's Development in Italy
Roman Views of Christianity
The Apologists
Week 4: The Persecution of the Faith
The Legal Position of Christianity
The Imperial Persecutions
Saints and Martyrs
Saints and Martyrs in Renaissance Church Art
Week 5: Constantine and Christianity
The Rise of Constantine
The Legalization of the Faith
Imperial Involvement in Christianity Bishops and Emperors
Week 6: Pagans and Christians in the Later Roman Empire
Julian and the Pagan Revival
Symmachus and Ambrose
Theodosius and the Pagans
The Triumph of Christianity?
Required Reading
A selection of primary sources, selected to complement the classroom lectures, will be available on Blackboard. Students will have read these sources before coming to class and should expect to participate in discussions based on the texts.
Course Requirements
Assignment
Contribution to Final Grade
Class Quizzes (5)
20%
Essay
30%
Final Exam
35%
Class Participation
15%
Class Quizzes — Each week I will give one short quiz in class, which will be based upon the Blackboard readings. This quiz will feature a mix of multiple choice and short answer question. It will take no more than fifteen minutes to complete.
Essay — Each student will write an essay of no more than 8 double­spaced typed pages that will be due at the end of the fourth week of class. This essay will address one of the topics from a list that will be placed on Blackboard. Final Exam — A final exam will be given on the final day of the course. It will cover material from the entire course. The exam will feature a mix of fill­in­the­blank, short answer, and essay questions. Class Participation — Participation, in discussions and field trip opportunities, will be a mandatory component of this course. A spirited exchange of ideas and questions will make the class more enjoyable for all of its members (myself included). Consequently, a significant portion of the final grade will be based upon student participation as we work through this material.