The First Millenium

[Vince]

And now it is 135.

Roman General Severus defeats the last Jewish stronghold at Bethar, which housed the Jewish Sanhedrin. He massacres every single Jew in the city. Weak resistance still continues in Galilee.

With the last of the Jewish rebellion in the capital destroyed, the Emperor Hadrian bans Jews from Jerusalem for ten years. He orders that the city be literally plowed with oxen. He outlaws circumcision and the celebration of Jewish festivals, bans the Sabbath, outlaws synagogues, and anyone caught with a copy of the Jewish Law is executed. An altar to Zeus is built on the site of the former Temple.

Cassius Dio, a Roman historian known for his honesty but lack of ability, talked to eyewitnesses and reported 580,000 Jews were killed, and 50 fortified towns and 985 villages razed.

1500 years of migrations and persecutions follow, with periods of safety in many countries, before the Baptist colony of Rhode Island openly and blatantly promises Jews safety.

Caesarea Maritama, on Israel’s Mediterranean shore, becomes the center of Christianity in Palestine. They carefully re-establish Christianity in Aelia Capitolina, the new city being built on the ruins of Jerusalem.

"The Handbook," a short manual of practical Stoic advice, is written. It will remain popular for three centuries, even among Christians.

 

[Vince]

Welcome to 136 AD.

Hyginus (136-140) becomes bishop of Rome. He took mild action in combating Gnosticism. Some sources claim that he is the first man known to be referred to as "Pope," but the Catholic Encyclopedia does not confirm this. However, these same sources explain that "pope" was only a term of affection, not an acknowledgment of supreme rule.

Felix (136-141) becomes bishop of Constantinople. Almost nothing is known about him.

The Prime Minister of China successfully stages the assassination of a tyrannical warlord who had seized the throne.

The last resistances in Judea are crushed by the Romans. The "Galut" ("Exile") had already been in progress since Israel had fallen to Syria and Babylon, but it is now in full progress. Persecution of the Jews was sporadic and inconsistent. Some Jewish communities thrived in Israel, although Jews were banned from Jerusalem itself. Other communities were later expelled.

The rest of the Roman Empire generally left the Jews alone, but with the rise of "Christian" governments, some restrictions were placed on them. Persecution was motivated by intents to forcibly convert them, or to seize their wealth. Legitimate fear (the Romans had taken heavy losses in the three Jewish wars) was another factor. About 1800 years would pass before Israel would become independent again.

 

[Vince]

137 is a quiet year.

Palmyra, in central Syria, becomes a major trading center between Rome and the East.

Gaius Avidius Heliodorus becomes prefect of Egypt. His wife is a Jewish princess, descended from Herod the Great. Their son would later declare himself Emperor and would rule Egypt and parts of the eastern Empire for three months before being killed by a centurion.

About this time, the Rylands Library Papyrus P52 is written. This fragment of the Gospel of John is the oldest surviving New testament manuscript.

 

[Vince]

Welcome to 138.

Hadrian, the third of the five good Emperors dies. Angry because he removed most of their powers, the Senate refuses to deify him, with many declaring him a tyrant. His provoking of the Third Jewish War leaves him with a legacy of foolishness at best, and tyranny at worst. Yet, historians agree that he generally ruled with moderation and strengthened the Empire.

Hadrian's adopted heir, Antoninus Pius becomes Emperor. He gains the name "Pius" because he had spared several senators condemned by Hadrian, whom he forces the Senate to deify. He is happily married to a woman who works diligently at caring for the poor.

Unlike Hadrian he remains in Italy during his entire reign. A very successful leader before taking the throne, his reign is generally peaceful, but this might have been a mistake. Rome's foreign enemies have time to regroup, and his successors will have to deal with his failure to wage preventive warfare.

 

[Vince]

Talk about a boring year. Nothing great happens in 139.

The new Emperor gets his daughter married off to Marcus Aurelius, who is declared to be Caesar. Later, he will become Emperor.

Looking over the situation in Britain, Antoninus Pius decides that Rome can push north of Hadrian's Wall. It's a mistake, but not a disastrous one.

Kushan Emperor Kanishka I dies, and is succeeded by Vanishka.

 

[Vince]

Welcome to 140 AD

The Shepherd of Hermas is written about this time. It is so important that tomorrow’s entire post will deal with it.

Pius I (140-155) becomes bishop of Rome. He might not have become the bishop of Rome before 146, as records contradict. He was the brother of Hermas, a former slave, so they both might have been freedmen. Pius set up Easter so that it only occurred on Sundays, and he built a church that was expanded on for centuries until it eventually became a cathedral. A small portion of the original building is still part of the cathedral. He opposed Gnosticism and was believed for centuries to have been a martyr until 1969.

The Emperor recognizes the Quadi, a small tribe of German nomads, and they become a Roman ally.

About this time, Korei is Emperor of Japan. Japan, however, is only one of many kingdoms on the four main islands that make up most of modern Japan. He conquers the province of Kibi, adding it to his domain.

 

[Vince]

The Shepherd of Hermas

Written sometime during the second century, The Shepherd of Hermas was regarded as inspired by a small number of Christians, but was widely-respected by the majority. The writing style indicates that it was written by the same person.

A freed slave, Hermas meets the ghost of the woman who owned him, and she accuses him of having lustful thoughts, for which he must do penance. The major theme of the five visions is that Christians must do penance, because their sins have weakened the church.

Later, an angel disguised as a shepherd (after whom the book is named) gives Hermas a series of commands for the Church. Little attention is paid to Christ, Who is described as a mortal man Whom God adopted. The author relies heavily on the Book of Revelation and John’s other writings, yet never refers to salvation by faith.

Hermas describes a series of monsters, and talks about the Rapture and the Great tribulation, but he stresses the need for penance among Christians. He explains that it is impossible to keep the commandments, so your salvation depends on doing penance when you fail. He makes no mention of prayer to saints for help.

He teaches that baptism by immersion is necessary to take away your sins. Afterwards, you can fall away and repent one time, but if you fall away twice, there is no forgiveness.

Although the book was widely-known, it was also widely-criticized by early Christians, suggesting that they did not agree with Hermas’ outlook. It fell out of favor rapidly less than one hundred years after being written, suggesting that churches were preaching and teaching against it.

On the good side, the book is written on a simple level and it helped many early Christians live more pious lives. On the bad side, Hermas appears to be a mentally-disturbed man who suffered under the stress of trying to earn his salvation.

 

[Vince]

And now it is 141 AD.

Polycarpus II (141-144) becomes bishop of Constantinople. Different sources say that he was bishop fo9r three years or for 17 years.

Emperor Anoninus Pius builds a temple to his deceased wife. Centuries later, it is turned into a church. It was later tuned into a medical college, rebuilt as a temple, and now has a church inside.

For the sixth time, the appearance of Halley's Comet is recorded, this time by the Chinese. In 1705, Edmund Halley will demonstrate that these appearances are the same object.

 

[Vince]

And now it is 142 AD!

Emperor Antoninus Pius, under pressure from the Caledonians in Scotland, essentially abandons Hadrian’s wall, leaving it occupied in a support role, and begin building a new wall called the Antonine Wall, about 160 kilometres (100 mi) north, This turf wall ran about 37.8 miles coast-to-coast in an unusually narrow part of Scotland. Antoninus was unable to conquer the northern tribes, so when Marcus Aurelius became emperor he abandoned the Antonine Wall and reoccupied Hadrian's Wall as the main defensive barrier in 164. The wall remained occupied by Roman troops until their withdrawal from Britain.

Chinese alchemnist Wei Boyang writes the first chemistry book. Among other things, his book gives the formula for gunpowder.

Marcion, considered one of the greatest heretics in Christianity, announces that the Old Testament is not valid for Christians. He teaches that only Paul understood the message of Christ, and teaches that Paul's Epistles, plus his own gospel, are the only authentic Scriptures. At its height, Marcion's religion will equal the church at Rome in membership and authority.

 

[Vince]

Here it is, 143 AD.

The Brigantes ("High Ones") are an extensive tribe centered in northern England, but which had expanded into Ireland and Spain. Although they are on the Roman side of Hadrian's Wall, they rebel against their Roman allies. Governor Lollius Urbicus has his hands full. He has been building the Antonine Wall, invading lower Scotland, and fighting tribes located between the two walls. However, he quickly defeats the Brigantes.

The Greek surgeon Antyllus successfully opens and closes a patient's artery. He also invented the first successful method of removing cataracts form the eye.

About this time, Emperor Antonine Pius orders, and enforces, the end of persecution of Christians.

 

[Vince]

There’s a little conflict here in 144 AD.

Athenodorus (144-148) becomes bishop of Constantinople. Maybe. Because other ancient sources state that Polycarpus, the previous bishop, was bishop for another thirteen years. But during this time, the Christian population of Constantinople and the surrounding areas had a big increase, and there might have been two bishops. As with the papacy, proving the claims for the Patriarch of Constantinople from history is almost as hopeless as proving them from the Bible.

Around this time, Zeuxippus,administrator of Constantinople, builds a great public bath with over eighty statues that is an architectural marvel.

Rome begins a campaign against the Moors in northern Africa.

The church at Rome excommunicates Marcion. He taught that Yahweh was a lower god, whom Christians were to turn away from. His group flourishes for a time, but eventually dies away.

 

[Vince]

Welcome to 145.

About this time, the Revelation of Peter is written. The book has only survived in two partial manuscripts, plus quotes in many other writings. The book was popular for some time, but was ultimately rejected by Christians. It was still being read in some churches during the fifth century.

The author, who claims to be Peter, gives a very detailed and vivid description of the torments of the people in Hell. While often stating that these torments are for all eternity, the book states twice that someday everyone in Hell will be released, because all of them will have repented.

The book is important for showing that the doctrine of consciousness after death was widely accepted during the second century.

Arrian is elected Archon of Athens. Although it is mostly an honorary post, it gives him time to write his biography of Alexander the Great, still considered the best source of information about him.

 

[Vince]

And now it is 146.

The Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius becomes imperium proconsul. He will eventually become Emperor.

The Chinese general, Liang Ji, poisons the eight-year-old Emperor for criticizing his abuse of power. A 14-year-old relative is made Emperor in his place.

 

[Vince]

Already it’s 147.

Ptolemy publishes the Almagest, his great work on mathematics and astronomy. Teaching that the immobile earth is the center of the universe, it becomes the basis of astronomy for the next thousand years. However, its records of ancient celestial movements and its development of trigonometry are genuine aids to science.

Marcus Aurelius receives imperial powers from Emperor Antoninus Pius.

Vologases III dies. He had seized eastern Parthia, plunging the nation into civil war, and had eventually conquered most of the nation. But rebellions and invasions kept him too busy to fully unite the nation.

 

[Vince]

It is now 148 AD.

Euzois (148-154) becomes bishop of Constantinople. Maybe.

The Gospel of Peter is written. Only fragments survive, plus quotes in other writings. It describes the Cross as being able to walk around and talk. It was probably a Passion narrative not meant to be taken literally.

An Shigao, a Parthian prince, arrives in China to become a Buddhist monk. He translates Buddhist works from India into Chinese.

 

[Vince]

Welcome to 149!

It's an uneventful year.

The wife of the Emperor Antoninus Pius gives birth to twin boys, both of whom die.

During this time, Cornelius is the bishop of Antioch. There's some pretty wild stories about the guy. He's the first known bishop to have a Roman aristocratic name, and ancient stories tell that he was married to the Oracle of Delphi, the mistress of Simon Magus, and even Helen of Troy (who would have been about 900 years old).

 

[Vince]

Welcome to 150 AD.

The Catholic Church begins in Alexandria, Egypt. The School of Alexandria was founded in Egypt, quickly becoming a major center for both Christian theology and Greek philosophy. Among its prominent teachers were the theologians Clement and Origen. The school sought to blend the best of Christianity with the best of paganism, producing a new and better religion that would eventually become the Roman Catholic Church.

Catholicism is, itself, a blend of paganism and Christianity. Many pagan doctrines were "Christianized." Magic gestures became the Sign of the Cross. Worship of minor deities became prayer to the saints. Statues for worship only "reminded" people of whom they were praying to. Powerful pagan priesthoods became the Catholic priesthood. Pagan high priests became cardinals and popes.

Over time, the school rejected the idea that the Bible simply meant what it said. Complex theological systems were developed to explain away Scripture with concepts so difficult that only the Church was allowed to interpret the Scriptures.

These changes took place over a period of centuries and are still taking place today. The original school at Antioch certainly did not believe the doctrines that Catholicism teaches today. But when you trace back the development of Catholicism, the line goes through the School at Alexandria.

 

[Vince]

We're still in 150 AD.

The Roman army now consists of 400,000 men, including auxiliaries from conquered areas.

The Mayan Empire of southern Mexico ends its "Middle Period." The Maya are the only American Indians with a fully-developed written language. And, a little to the north-east of Mexico City, Mexicans finish the third largest pyramid in the world. All records of the pyramid's purpose have disappeared. Later, the Aztecs discover the abandoned structure, and name it "The Temple of the Sun."

About this time, Ptolemy publishes the earliest know atlas and completes his Almagest. This work, teaching that the earth is the center of the universe, dominates astronomy for 1,400 years.

Turkistan, located in parts of Afghanistan, Russian, and China, gets paper.

 

[Vince]

And here it is, the year 151.

Mytilene, a large city on a Greek island; and Smyrna, which is today the third-largest city in Turkey, are damaged by an earthquake. Both cities are mentioned in the New Testament.

Kanishka, the great ruler of the Kushan Empire dies. He had conquered most of central Asia, expanding his kingdom into India and China. He spread Buddhism everywhere he went, and was also a patron of the arts. He succeeded in his goal of controlling all the trade routes between China and Rome, and coins issued during his reign have been discovered all over Asia.

The Biblical kingdom of Kush is not the same as the Kushan Empire. Kush is located in modern Sudan, on the southern border of Egypt. Centered at the merger of three rivers, Kush had actually expanded to the Mediterranean Sea in 700 BC. A Roman ally, it had resisted both Egyptian and Roman invasions. However, it keeps having wars with Egypt (a Roman province) and is in decline during this time.

 

[Vince]

152 is a quiet year.

Minor rebellions break out in Mauritania, on the north-west coast of Africa. Rome easily puts them down.

The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus might have been written about this time. The word "Mathetes" means "disciple," and it is probably not the author's name. Nothing is known about who the author was. It is twelve chapters long, although the last two chapters seem to be third century additions. Avoiding the words "Jesus" and "Christ," the epistle refers to "the Word." The author appears to have lived just after the Apostolic age, and he might have been a disciple of Paul. Written to non-Christian Gentiles, it discusses the vanity of idol-worship and Jewish rituals, stressing the internal changes that are the result of the new birth.