Primary Sources for Chapter 6
The Revolutionary Rabbi: Christianity, the Roman Empire, and
Islam, 4 B.C. to A.D. 1453
Study Guide | Art History | Links
The Gospel of Matthew 18: A selection from the story of Jesus’ life.
Content Question: According to this chapter, what are the challenges people face to get into heaven?
Analysis Question: How does it seem authority works in this process?
Evaluative Questions: Why would people find these teachings attractive?
Other Sources:
Various translations and aids for the Bible are here.
Letters of Pliny and Trajan: an exchange between an emperor and a governor show Roman attitudes toward the Christians around A.D. 112.
Content Question: What are the specific concerns that Pliny brings to the emperor's attention?
Analysis Question: What worries about religion and social order does this exchange reveal?
Evaluative Questions: How much do these letters show relations between Christians and pagans being based on fear, misinformation, and ignorance?
Augustine’s City of God, Chapter 21: the Church Father discusses God’s purpose in granting rule.
Content Question: What key empires and rulers does Augustine review?
Analysis Question: How does Augustine argue for his interpretation of God’s role in rulership?
Evaluative Questions: Why should those who believe in Augustine’s God be involved in politics?
The full text of The City of God is here.
Struggle for the Realm of Submission
Tarik’s address to his soldiers: The Muslim commander encourages his troops before battle during the invasion of the Visigothic Kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula.
Content Question: What does Tarik say to motivate his soldiers?
Analysis Question: What motivations could be said to any soldier in any time and place versus those in this particular battle?
Evaluative Question: Why were Muslim armies so effective?
Other Sources:
The full Qu'ran is available here or here or here.
Primary Source Project Links
6. Paul of Tarsus versus Pliny the Younger and Emperor Trajan about the value of Christianity
