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Final Review CLST 2102 Questions and
Answers
Know the basics of Stoicism.
Ans: Stoicism (founder was Zeno) adapted for Romans to emphasize
reason and excellence of character; also recognizes the importance of
politics in this world established by Reason. The greatest good is to live
in harmony with the divine Logos. Everything is set in order and planned
by Logos. Divine Fire transformed into substances that gave universe
form and order. Suicide permitted if one is prevented from living
according to Reason.
Know the basics of Neoplatonism.
Ans: Neoplatonism founded by Plotinus and influenced by mystery
cults. It reflects general move towards one superior universal power vs.
various local powers; everything emanates from the One (perfect unity).
Human souls include Mind, Soul, and Matter: goal is inward unity of
these aspects and personal unity with the One. Through intellect and
effort a person can enjoy while alive a temporary, ecstatic union with the
One, but it is rare (permanent union after death). No savior, divine grace,
or rituals required: individual spiritually independent and self sufficient
To what does the term taurobolium refer?
Ans: Refers to the sacrifice of a bull where the blood showers down on
the initiate
Outside of new life and promised blessings, what were common
features of mystery cults?
Ans: A god who's overcome death , Reenactment or retelling of cult's
central myth , Sacred food or drink in remembrance of an important
event in central myth (often proceeded by a fast)
What was the basic central story of the resurrection cults?
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Ans: Central resurrection myth often involves a strong goddess [force of
life and regeneration] and a more vulnerable figure, usually a
lover/husband, who serves as a resurrection figure. Through the cult's
central myth worshippers recall the death of the resurrection figure,
mourn him, then share in his resurrection
Know the basics of the cult of Mithra.
Ans: Only open to men (popular with soldiers and merchants); God of
light, spirit of divine fire and fire of the sun; No synoptic myth for cult
just scenes: born in winter with shepherds looking on; hunts and kills a
divine bull in a cave (tauroctony); has dinner with the sun on the bull's
hide; cult related to Indo Iranian Zoroastrian dualistic beliefs of a battle
between light, truth, stability [Ahura Mazda] and darkness, lies, and
chaos [Ahriman].
What is the basic idea behind dualism?
Ans: Dualism is a theology based on the belief in two gods: a good god
of light and immaterial things, and an evil god of darkness and material
things.
With which resurrection god was Jesus most closely associated?
Ans: Dionysus
What is the difference between henotheism and monotheism?
Ans: Monotheism is one God while henotheism is one superior god, To
henotheist: other gods manifestations of the superior being, To
monotheist: other gods at best dangerous distractions form the true God,
at worst manifestations of a demonic world opposed to the true God.
How did Christians interpret the gods of polytheism?
Ans: Polytheism: world is god, Christians are looking for a different
world
Why did Christianity attract legal action by the state?
Ans: They refused to worship state gods and, therefore, were considered
atheists
© 2025 All rights reserved
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What were the rumors about Christian services?
Ans: They had "love feasts" which included cannibalism and incest
What were the Christians rumored to worship?
Ans: Said to worship a condemned criminal and the head of an ass
What did Pliny find out about their ceremonies?
Ans: -Meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing a hymn to Christ as to a
god
-bind to not commit fraud, theft, or adultery..not to lie..nor refuse trust
if someone gives to u.
-then they eat..
What was Trajan's policy towards the Christians?
Ans: Don't seek them out; if denounced and proven guilty, then they will
be punished
According to Pliny, how could a person prove they were not a
Christian?
Ans: Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when
they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with
incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for
this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed
Christ, none of which those who are really Christians, it is said, can be
forced to do... denounce Christ
Who conducted the first empire wide persecution of Christians?
Ans: Decius...-Nero (64) - Galerius (311) primarily local
Who granted official toleration of Christianity?
Ans: Galerius
Under whom did Christianity become an official state religion?
© 2025 All rights reserved
Final Review CLST 2102 Questions and
Answers
Know the basics of Stoicism.
Ans: Stoicism (founder was Zeno) adapted for Romans to emphasize
reason and excellence of character; also recognizes the importance of
politics in this world established by Reason. The greatest good is to live
in harmony with the divine Logos. Everything is set in order and planned
by Logos. Divine Fire transformed into substances that gave universe
form and order. Suicide permitted if one is prevented from living
according to Reason.
Know the basics of Neoplatonism.
Ans: Neoplatonism founded by Plotinus and influenced by mystery
cults. It reflects general move towards one superior universal power vs.
various local powers; everything emanates from the One (perfect unity).
Human souls include Mind, Soul, and Matter: goal is inward unity of
these aspects and personal unity with the One. Through intellect and
effort a person can enjoy while alive a temporary, ecstatic union with the
One, but it is rare (permanent union after death). No savior, divine grace,
or rituals required: individual spiritually independent and self sufficient
To what does the term taurobolium refer?
Ans: Refers to the sacrifice of a bull where the blood showers down on
the initiate
Outside of new life and promised blessings, what were common
features of mystery cults?
Ans: A god who's overcome death , Reenactment or retelling of cult's
central myth , Sacred food or drink in remembrance of an important
event in central myth (often proceeded by a fast)
What was the basic central story of the resurrection cults?
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Ans: Central resurrection myth often involves a strong goddess [force of
life and regeneration] and a more vulnerable figure, usually a
lover/husband, who serves as a resurrection figure. Through the cult's
central myth worshippers recall the death of the resurrection figure,
mourn him, then share in his resurrection
Know the basics of the cult of Mithra.
Ans: Only open to men (popular with soldiers and merchants); God of
light, spirit of divine fire and fire of the sun; No synoptic myth for cult
just scenes: born in winter with shepherds looking on; hunts and kills a
divine bull in a cave (tauroctony); has dinner with the sun on the bull's
hide; cult related to Indo Iranian Zoroastrian dualistic beliefs of a battle
between light, truth, stability [Ahura Mazda] and darkness, lies, and
chaos [Ahriman].
What is the basic idea behind dualism?
Ans: Dualism is a theology based on the belief in two gods: a good god
of light and immaterial things, and an evil god of darkness and material
things.
With which resurrection god was Jesus most closely associated?
Ans: Dionysus
What is the difference between henotheism and monotheism?
Ans: Monotheism is one God while henotheism is one superior god, To
henotheist: other gods manifestations of the superior being, To
monotheist: other gods at best dangerous distractions form the true God,
at worst manifestations of a demonic world opposed to the true God.
How did Christians interpret the gods of polytheism?
Ans: Polytheism: world is god, Christians are looking for a different
world
Why did Christianity attract legal action by the state?
Ans: They refused to worship state gods and, therefore, were considered
atheists
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
What were the rumors about Christian services?
Ans: They had "love feasts" which included cannibalism and incest
What were the Christians rumored to worship?
Ans: Said to worship a condemned criminal and the head of an ass
What did Pliny find out about their ceremonies?
Ans: -Meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing a hymn to Christ as to a
god
-bind to not commit fraud, theft, or adultery..not to lie..nor refuse trust
if someone gives to u.
-then they eat..
What was Trajan's policy towards the Christians?
Ans: Don't seek them out; if denounced and proven guilty, then they will
be punished
According to Pliny, how could a person prove they were not a
Christian?
Ans: Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when
they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with
incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for
this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed
Christ, none of which those who are really Christians, it is said, can be
forced to do... denounce Christ
Who conducted the first empire wide persecution of Christians?
Ans: Decius...-Nero (64) - Galerius (311) primarily local
Who granted official toleration of Christianity?
Ans: Galerius
Under whom did Christianity become an official state religion?
© 2025 All rights reserved
