Holy Man In Late Antiquity

“The study of Pompeii and Herculaneum provides us with a wealth of sources – However we are faced with issues regarding their limitations, reliability and evaluation.”

Roman religion is not as easy to identify or describe as one might immediately suppose. Much of the difficulty in defining the religion of the Roman Republic is due to its flexibility and variability, as well as the lack of any clear division between religion, politics, and civil society during this period. It can often be difficult to tell, for example, where Roman religion ends and political ideology begins. Despite these difficulties, it is possible to make certain generalized statements. Religion in the Roman republic was extremely integrated into everyday life, it is variable and individualized, and it played a key role in upholding Roman civil and military power structures. It is also important to remember that Roman religion is not static and underwent a constant process of change over several centuries, often due to political and social concerns.

The Greek and Roman religions were the two major religions that were established in the ancient world. Greek religion was the first to be recognized and instituted, followed by the Roman religion. Many people believed that the Romans mimicked the Greek religion; however this was a common misconception, even though they appeared to be the same there are many distinctions between the Romans and the Greeks. Even the similarities between the two religions had slight distinctions, like their gods, they had similar functions but some of their gods were completely unique to one culture (Ferguson 154). Roman religion also had different concepts like religio, ideas about afterlife and gods that emphasis on household religion. The Romans integrated certain aspects of Greek religion into their own practices, they also maintained their own ideas which made it unique and separated the Romans from the Greeks.

Power is always important in human society since society’s existence. Emperors, kings, queens and presidents in every culture and history have tried everything to solidify their reign and enhance their power. One thing they all did is to build a strange and powerful image of themselves. Politicians nowadays use social media and press to build their images which are smart, powerful or trustworthy, Just like things the emperors did in thousands years ago.

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus in Rome represents reflects the transformed status of Christianity. Junius Bassus was a member of a senatorial family and he was responsible for the administration of the city of Rome. Junius Bassus died at the age of 42 in the year 359, this sarcophagus was made for him. He had become a convert to Christianity before his death.

In the ancient Roman world, religion played the most important role in everyday life, as well as in matters of the state. The Romans looked to the gods for political stability and for control of the unexplainable and natural phenomenon. The gods were believed to control all aspects of Roman life, and for that reason, a great deal of importance was placed in the appropriate worship of the gods. Women played an extremely influential role in ancient Roman religion. Not only did they participate in religious rituals, but some even held religious positions as Vestal Virgins.

Pope Silverius was a Pope during the Dark Ages in Europe, his date of birth is unknown, and he died in 537 AD after being banished on an island off of the coast. Silverius was the son of Pope Hormisdas, and was born before his father joined the Priesthood. Silverius was the Pope for a little more than a year, and was able to alienate the Empress Theodora, the wife of Justinian a Byzantine Emperor known for his reform of civil law. He was forced out of the papacy by a Byzantinum general because Silverius upsetted Theodora. Then, Silverius was wrongly accused of assisting the Goths attack the Byzantine Empire, and was exiled on the Island of Palmaria. Centuries later, he was appointed as a venerated Saint.

In 325, the Council of Nicea set out to formally characterize the relationship of the Son to the Father, in light of the dubious lessons of Arius. Driven by Bishop Athanasius, the gathering confirmed the precept of the Trinity as conventionality and censured Arius ' showing that Christ was the first making of God. The ideology received by the committee depicted Christ as "God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance (homoousios) with the Father."

In Oedipus, the King, the main character, Oedipus, starts the play in the highest prestige, he is the King of Thebes and is held in high regard to almost all citizens for his prosperous reign. By the end of the play, Oedipus is vilified by his citizens and almost all the people of Thebes. I argue that Oedipus’ downfall is directly linked to his rejection of religious guidance and omens; namely, the Gods and the oracle. One could argue that no divine entity openly acts out toward Oedipus, however this analysis will focus on more indirect patterns and instances of divine action. Oedipus’ constant disapproval of religious consultation and figures is seen as a slight to the Gods and so they contribute to his fall from reign. These divine

is a great example of just how brutal this time period was and Peter Moogk’s “The Liturgy of

Constantine’s dealings with Christianity greatly propagated the religion. Hoping that the Christian God would aid him in battle, Constantine became the first Roman emperor to convert to the religion. His conversion marked an end to the persecution Christians faced from Diocletian, and a start to Christianity eventually becoming the state religion of the Empire. Constantine’s dedication to the advancement of Christianity can be best shown through the fact that he is regarded as a saint by Eastern Orthodox Christians.

In Rome about 2,000 years ago, gods that we don't worship today were worshipped back then and religions like we believe in today were considered Cults and illegal. The main 12 gods were Venus, Ceres, Diana, Vesta, Jupiter, Neptune, Apollo, Mars, Juno, Mercury, Vulcan and Minerva. All of the gods or goddesses had something they were in charge of and could help you with such as Venus, she was the goddess of love and beauty and Apollo, he was the god of music, light, truth and healing. Back in 304 BCE, the Christian religion was considered a cult and hundreds of Christians were persecuted.

Innovators can be found in all fields of work, whether it is Albert Einstein in physics, Isaac Newton in mathematics, or Masaccio in early Renaissance painting. Even though these individuals labored in different fields, the influences of their work on later generations were equally great. Masaccio was able to build upon the works of proto-Renaissance painters such as Giotto, to further develop the mathematical technique of linear perspective to open a window into the world for his viewers. His innovative style can be found in most of his work, such as “The Tribute Money” found inside the Brancacci chapel, but the best example of his style is found not far from the Brancacci chapel in Florence. Found inside the Dominican church of Santa

There has been a lot of controversy over whether philosophy is needed or should be a part of Christianity. An early church father Tertullian said that we only needed the Bible and that we did not need philosophy at all. He said the Bible was enough. Clement of Alexandria believed that Greek philosophy was the handmaid of theology. “…before the advent of the Lord, philosophy was necessary to the Greeks for righteousness. And now it becomes conducive to piety; being a kind of preparatory training to those who attain to faith… philosophy was given to the Greeks directly and primarily, till the Lord should call the Greeks. For this was a schoolmaster to bring “the Hellenic mind,” as the law, the Hebrews, “to Christ.” Philosophy, therefore, was a preparation, paving the way for him who is perfected in Christ.” Justin believed that all

Eusebius is known as the 'father of church history' because of his historical accounts of