Handout
Franco Cavazzi

Roman Empire: Roman Religion

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes the Roman religion. It explains the gods and goddesses and their origins, prayer and sacrifice, offices of the state religion, festivals, and the beginning of Christianity.
Handout
PBS

Frontline: From Jesus to Christ: Religion in the Roman World

For Students 9th - 10th
Article examines the various religious options that were available to Roman and non-Romans living in the empire.
Handout
Forum Romanum

Outlines of Roman History: Reorganization of Empire: The Reign of Constantine

For Students 9th - 10th
In this entry from William Morey's 1901 textbook you will read about Constantine and the changes he made that had a lasting effect on the Roman Empire.
Handout
Forum Romanum

Outlines of Roman History: Reorganization of Empire: The Reign of Diocletian

For Students 9th - 10th
The reign of Diocletian is discussed in this article from William Morey's 1901 textbook. Check out the chart that shows how the Roman Empire was split into East and West.
Handout
United Nations

Unesco: Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna

For Students 9th - 10th
This World Heritage website features Ravenna in Italy, which was the center of the Roman Empire at one point, and later of the Byzantine Empire in Italy. Presented on this website are eight Christian buildings, and their mosaics, from...
Handout
PBS

Timeline of Peter and Paul

For Students 9th - 10th
A timeline that is a part of a PBS documentary about Peter and Paul. The timeline shows what is happening in the Roman Empire at the same time as events in the Jewish communities.
Handout
Forum Romanum

Outlines of Roman History: Julian Emperors: Reign of Nero

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the infamous Nero, the burning of Rome, and his persecution of the Christians in this passage from William Morey's 1901 textbook.
Handout
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Medieval Sourcebook: Edicts of Toleration

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains information on two important religious edicts given by Roman emperors relating to Christianity and its role as a persecuted religion in ancient Rome.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Recovering the Material World of the Early Christians

For Students 9th - 10th
A scholarly article in which the author discusses the recent archaeological discoveries that have allowed us to construct a picture of the world of the early Christians. These findings include ancient manuscripts, ancient inscriptions...
Handout
Loyola University Chicago

De Imperatoribus Romanis: Constantine I

For Students 9th - 10th
An essay on the life of Constantine, his relationship with Christianity, the founding of Constantinople, his death, and more.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Chronology of Early Christianity

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed timeline on the early history of the religion from the time of Julius Caesar (44 B.C.E.) to 327 C.E. and the death of Constantine.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Mithraic Mysteries

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia provides information on Mithraism, a secret mystery religion of the Roman Empire.
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Armenia: History

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief look at the history of Armenia from 800 BC through its place in the Roman Empire, part of the Soviet Union, and finally, independence. From U.S. State Department Background Notes.
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Syriacs

For Students 9th - 10th
Syriac is a branch of the Aramaic family of languages and was the lingua franca of the eastern Roman Empire at the beginning of the Christian era. It is also spoken extensively in the regions farther east. It became the language of...
Handout
Then Again

Then Again: Web Chron: The Beginnings of German Christianity 500 1000.

For Students 9th - 10th
While conventionally the period after the fall of the Roman Empire in the West is thought of as an age of darkness, in fact it was the formative period of a new culture. Christian missionaries brought a form of Christianity to the...
Handout
New Advent

Catholic Encyclopedia: The Colosseum

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed history of the Colosseum in Rome with a focus on the religious history (Christianity). Gives information about the games, and the many saints that are connected to the building. Please note that "The Catholic Encyclopedia," is...
Handout
Stanford University

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

For Students 9th - 10th
An in-depth study of the Christian philosopher from the 6th century C.E. There is a comprehensive biographical sketch plus nice analysis of his major works and ideas.