The Roman Empire During the First Century

The Roman Empire During the First Century

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During the life of Jesus, the Roman Empire was vast, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to Red Sea in the east -- from the Danube River in the north to the Nile River in the south.

The Empire was built upon the administrative and military genius of Rome. Roman armies conquered the nations surrounding Italy, dominated them, and then absorbed them -- their religions, their customs, and their commerce. The might of the Roman military assured order throughout the Empire -- it was the famous Pax Romana, or Peace of Rome.

The Romans were builders, who appreciated Hellenistic architecture and devised many innovations, including the arch and the dome. Amphitheaters and stadiums… aqueducts and bridges… all helped create sprawling cities that dotted the Mediterranean landscape. Roman roads crisscrossed the Empire and were of such quality that some are still in use today.

Once conquered by Rome, the Greeks not only gave the Empire its language of trade, but they also gave Rome its vision of philosophy, architecture, art, and religion. The focus of Greek artistic expression was man in his ideal form. They believed that contemplating images of perfect bodies and creations of perfect minds perfected those who looked upon them.

Greek religion was open to many philosophies and many gods. People worshipped a pantheon of mythological deities and sought the favor of lesser gods who supposedly ruled everyday life. Since Rome absorbed the religions of the peoples it conquered, there were hundreds of gods worshipped in the Roman Empire -- all were acceptable, as long as the emperor was worshipped above all.

The Roman Empire during the first century was brutal. There was a nasty disregard for human beings. Roman entertainment hardened the hearts of its citizens, with theaters performing dramas that were vulgar and degrading. Roman arenas also scorched the soul, but with bloodshed rather than lewdness.

This was the world into which Jesus and his church were born.

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Видео The Roman Empire During the First Century канала Drive Thru History with Dave Stotts