Final Review CLST 2102 Questions and Answers Already Passed Latest Update 2025-2026
Know the basics of Stoicism. - Answers 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. - Answers 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? - Answers 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? -
Answers 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? - Answers 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. - Answers 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? - Answers 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? - Answers Dionysus
What is the difference between henotheism and monotheism? - Answers 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? - Answers Polytheism: world is god,
Christians are looking for a different world
Why did Christianity attract legal action by the state? - Answers They refused to worship state
gods and, therefore, were considered atheists
What were the rumors about Christian services? - Answers They had "love feasts" which
included cannibalism and incest
What were the Christians rumored to worship? - Answers Said to worship a condemned criminal
and the head of an ass
What did Pliny find out about their ceremonies? - Answers -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? - Answers 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? - Answers 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? - Answers Decius...-Nero (64) -
Galerius (311) primarily local
Who granted official toleration of Christianity? - Answers Galerius
Under whom did Christianity become an official state religion? - Answers Constantine
Who banned pagan worship? - Answers Theodosius I
How does one find guidance for living life well, and assure oneself of an afterlife that is at least
not bad and hopefully blessed? - Answers Philosophy (usually for wealthy, educated people),
Mystery cults
In which month did the Roman year originally start? - Answers March because it was the start of
the growing season
Who switched Rome over to a solar calendar? - Answers Julius Ceaser
Know the basics of Stoicism. - Answers 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. - Answers 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? - Answers 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? -
Answers 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? - Answers 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. - Answers 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? - Answers 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? - Answers Dionysus
What is the difference between henotheism and monotheism? - Answers 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? - Answers Polytheism: world is god,
Christians are looking for a different world
Why did Christianity attract legal action by the state? - Answers They refused to worship state
gods and, therefore, were considered atheists
What were the rumors about Christian services? - Answers They had "love feasts" which
included cannibalism and incest
What were the Christians rumored to worship? - Answers Said to worship a condemned criminal
and the head of an ass
What did Pliny find out about their ceremonies? - Answers -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? - Answers 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? - Answers 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? - Answers Decius...-Nero (64) -
Galerius (311) primarily local
Who granted official toleration of Christianity? - Answers Galerius
Under whom did Christianity become an official state religion? - Answers Constantine
Who banned pagan worship? - Answers Theodosius I
How does one find guidance for living life well, and assure oneself of an afterlife that is at least
not bad and hopefully blessed? - Answers Philosophy (usually for wealthy, educated people),
Mystery cults
In which month did the Roman year originally start? - Answers March because it was the start of
the growing season
Who switched Rome over to a solar calendar? - Answers Julius Ceaser
