From the Crucifixion to the coming of the Crusades, Christianity: The First Thousand Years traces the rise of one of the world's great religions. Scholars explore the intertwined fates of the Roman Empire and the faith it first persecuted, then later adopted. Theologians reveal how the New Testament was shaped, how pagan festivals were transformed into Christian holidays and how modern discoveries shed new light on the dawn of Christianity.

Christianity: The First Thousand Years would be useful for classes on World History, Religion, World Culture and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Part II, Church and Empire

For over 300 years, Christians were the target of violence and hatred in the Roman Empire. That changed overnight-literally-when the Emperor Constantine saw a vision of Jesus in a dream; the religion had gained its single most important convert.

• Gnostic
• androgynous
• apocalyptic
• apparition
• austere
• conversion
• deprivation
• doctrine
• exemplified
• heresy
• libertine
• metaphysics
• mysticism
• ostensibly
• paganism
• persecution
• preeminence
• recondite
• ritual
• scenario
• sect
• tetrarchy
• theology
• vulnerability

1. During the first few centuries after the establishment of Christianity, Christians were persecuted. Yet, despite these persecutions, Christianity flourished. Why?

2. Emperor Diocletian divided the Roman Empire into two sections, east and west. Why did Diocletian do this? How did this affect Christianity?

3. How did Constantine's apparition change European history in general, and the history of Christianity in particular?

4. What is paganism? How did Constantine combine some of the characteristics of paganism and Christianity? Why did he do this?

5. Why Christians celebrate their Sabbath on Sunday while Jews celebrate their Sabbath on Saturday?

6. Discuss whether Constantine was a true believer or a shrewd politician.

7. Who were the Gnostics? What were some of the differences between Gnostics and other Christians? How does Gnostic theology differ from traditional Christian theology?

8. Describe and discuss the evolution of the New Testament.

9. Why did the monastic movement occur?

10. Why was the decline and fall of the Roman Empire so unsettling for Christianity?

1. Although Christianity is the world's largest religion, there are many other religions in the world. Create a poster or chart which illustrates some of the major religions of the world and their beliefs.

2. Imagine that you are a monk in a monastery during the age of the Roman Empire. Outline or chart what your typical day might be like.

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Air Dates

• April 13, 2000
• April 03, 2001