Discussion Question and Replies | Homework Essay Helpers

I’m studying for my History class and don’t understand how to answer this. Can you help me study?

1. How does Roman Civilization during the Empire (Ch 6) differ from that of earlier Republic (Ch 5)? Do you feel these changes to be generally positive, negative or both? Explain

I need a citation from this book Western Civilization: A Brief History, Vol. I: to 1715, Jackson Spielvogel, 9th ed. (I do not have it)

Peer reply 1:

The appeal to Christianity was that it offered so much to the people. “The Christian message had much to offer the Roman world. The promise of salvation, made possible by Jesus’ death and resurrection , had immense appeal in a world full of suffering and injustice” (Spielvogel 142). Christianity was known and familiar to the people, It was also more inclusive than many other religions at the time, in that anyone could join and participate. So groups who were persecuted before could belong to one group. “It did not require a painful or expensive initiation rite and other mystery religions did” (Spielvogel 142). It also offered a better connection to God that Roman gods didnt have. The biggest ideal was that it gave people a place to be, there were communities that all thought the same and was a place of belonging. It was the opposite of waht the Roman gods offered, it was a personal connection between people and God. Because of this new groups of people were becoming one, it did not matter who you were anyone was allowed to be a follower. Women became attracted to Christianity because it offered “New roles and new forms of companionship with other women. Christian women fostered the new religion in their own homes and preached their convictions to other people in their towns and villages” (Spielvogel 143).

Peer Reply 2:

Christianity was so appealing to Romans because it offered a promise of a beautiful life after death in an eternal kingdom. After living a life of suffering, all were welcome to join a kingdom of beauty, love, and salvation. It also was meant for all to join, not just men and this attracted every person you could think of: men, women, children, widows, and orphans. Women were finally able to have a part in the church and not just be devoted followers. They could preach and have relationships with other women who felt the same as they do. “Furthermore, it did not require a painful or expensive initiation rite as other mystery religions did” (Spielvogel 142). All anyone had to do was be baptized and they were pure and ready to be a part of this new and exciting religion. Followers were also offered a very personal relationship with God which many other religions did not offer. It helped Romans feel as if they belonged. No longer did it matter if you were rich, poor, sick, or widowed, you were a part of a larger group that did not care what you were, just that you were a part of this new accepting religion.