CLAS/PHIL 2610. Paganism to Christianity

Lecture 1. The Study of Religion

I. The Sociology of Religion

A. Émile Durkheim (d. 1917): religion is a social phenomenon

B. No religion is false

-based on représentations and ritual attitudes

C. Two fundamental categories: beliefs and rites

-Beliefs are states of opinion

Religious beliefs categorize all things into two classes: sacred and profane

Sacred: things protected and isolated by prohibitions

-Profane: things to which the prohibitions apply

-Rites are determined modes of action

-Rules of conduct prescribing how man must behave in relation to sacred things

-The means of contact between the profane and the sacred

-Only come into being at the heart of assembled groups

D. "Religion is the collection of the means by which society creates and recreates itself"

E. Definition: "A religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things...beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community"

II. Periods in Ancient History

A. Classical Greece

1. The Athenian Empire

a. Introduction of Democracy (from 510)

b. Defeat of Persian Empire (490-478)

c. Athenian Empire (478-404)

d. Civic Religion / Myth / Ritual

2. Fourth Century BC

a. Struggle for Dominance

b. Rise of Philosophy / Theology

B. Hellenistic World

a. Macedonian Domination of Greece (by 338)

b. Alexander the Great (336-323): World Conquest (east)

c. Hellenistic Kingdoms: Ptolemies = Egypt (to 30 BC); Seleucids = Syria and Anatolia (to 63 BC); Antigonids = Macedonia and Greece (to 148 BC)

d. Cultic Cross-Fertilization / Religious Abstraction / Ruler Worship

C. The Roman Republic (509-31)

1. Early (509-264):

a. Struggle of the orders: patricians v. plebeians

b. Small city state extends over Italy

c. Animistic / Agriculural religion

2. Middle (264-133)

a. Rome gains control of Mediterranean

b. Aristocratic religious dominance / Introduction of foreign gods

3. Late (133-31)

a. Social Displacement and Social Change

b. Rise of strong men: Julius Caesar

c. Religious Neglect / Skepticism

D. High Empire (31 BC-AD 235)

1. Augustus (31BC-AD 14) = princeps (first citizen)

2. Dynasty: Julio-Claudians (to 68 AD); Flavians (to 96 AD)

3. Five good emperors (2nd C AD)

4. Religious freedom / Cross-fertilization (Syncretism)

E. Third Century Crisis (AD 235-305)

1. Political Chaos: usurpation; inflation; barbarian warfare

2. Religious Persecution / Religious exploration

F. Late Empire (AD 306-565)

1. Reorganization:

a. Diocletian (284-305): stabilizes inflation / borders; divides empire into East and West

b. Constantine: Christianity; army; Constantinople

2. Permanent East / West Division from 395: West lasts until 476; East lasts until 1453

3. Christianization / Decline of Pagan Religion