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 IV, The Faith Conquers

The Golden Age of Christianity began, appropriately enough, on January 1st. On that day in the year 800, the Pope placed a crown on the head of the Frankish king Charlemagne, declaring him the new Holy Roman Emperor.

• antiquity
• apocalyptic
• apparition
• autonomy
• coveted
• emancipation
• gauntlet
• heathen
• hordes
• impending
• inexorable
• lamentation
• mutilate
• ominous
• papal
• relic
• sanctuary
• schism
• scribe
• solace

1. The center of the Christian Empire faced moved from the west to the east. Why did this transition occur?

2. Although we think of the papacy as a religious office, it was much more in the later centuries of the last millennium. Discuss how the papacy was a position of political power. How did powerful families and factions vie for the position?

3. Pope Leo III fled from the east to the west to the safety of Charlemagne. Why did he seek the protection of Charlemagne?

4. How did Charlemagne unite the Christian Empire?

5. Discuss the contribution of the monks to world history under the rule of Charlemagne.

6. Although the Pope relied on Charlemagne for his safety and the strength of the Christian kingdom, Charlemagne made sure that the Pope does not participate in his son's coronation. Why did Charlemagne prevent the Pope from participating in such a momentous event?

7. Why and how did the Vikings attack the Holy Roman Empire?

8. The Virgin Mary is one of the most venerated saints in Christianity. How and why did the worship of Mary begin?

9. The Magyars invaded the Holy Roman Empire in the 10th century. Who were these foreign invaders and why did they attack the empire?

1. On a map of the world, illustrate and highlight the extent of Charlemagne's domain and the boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire.

2. Create a commemoration of the Pope Leo III crowning Charlemagne emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

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Air Dates

• April 17, 2000
• April 05, 2001