Final Review CLST 2102
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_htkspv
1. Know the basics of Stoicism.: 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.
2. Know the basics of Neoplatonism.: 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
3. To what does the term taurobolium refer?: Refers to the sacrifice of a bull where the blood
showers down on the initiate
4. Outside of new life and promised blessings, what were common features of
mystery cults?: 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)
5. What was the basic central story of the resurrection cults?: 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
6. Know the basics of the cult of Mithra.: 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].
7. What is the basic idea behind dualism?: 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.
8. With which resurrection god was Jesus most closely associated?: Dionysus
9. What is the difference between henotheism and monotheism?: 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.
, Final Review CLST 2102
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_htkspv
10. How did Christians interpret the gods of polytheism?: Polytheism: world is god, Chris-
tians are looking for a different world
11. Why did Christianity attract legal action by the state?: They refused to worship state gods
and, therefore, were considered atheists
12. What were the rumors about Christian services?: They had "love feasts" which included
cannibalism and incest
13. What were the Christians rumored to worship?: Said to worship a condemned criminal and
the head of an ass
14. What did Pliny find out about their ceremonies?: -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..
15. What was Trajan's policy towards the Christians?: Don't seek them out; if denounced and
proven guilty, then they will be punished
16. According to Pliny, how could a person prove they were not a Christian?: 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
17. Who conducted the first empire wide persecution of Christians?: Decius...-Nero
(64) - Galerius (311) primarily local
18. Who granted official toleration of Christianity?: Galerius
19. Under whom did Christianity become an official state religion?: Constantine
20. Who banned pagan worship?: Theodosius I
21. How does one find guidance for living life well, and assure oneself of an
afterlife that is at least not bad and hopefully blessed?: Philosophy (usually for wealthy,
educated people), Mystery cults
22. In which month did the Roman year originally start?: March because it was the start of
the growing season
23. Who switched Rome over to a solar calendar?: Julius Ceaser
24. Know the Roman system of giving dates and years.: Domus System: you count back from
certain days
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_htkspv
1. Know the basics of Stoicism.: 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.
2. Know the basics of Neoplatonism.: 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
3. To what does the term taurobolium refer?: Refers to the sacrifice of a bull where the blood
showers down on the initiate
4. Outside of new life and promised blessings, what were common features of
mystery cults?: 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)
5. What was the basic central story of the resurrection cults?: 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
6. Know the basics of the cult of Mithra.: 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].
7. What is the basic idea behind dualism?: 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.
8. With which resurrection god was Jesus most closely associated?: Dionysus
9. What is the difference between henotheism and monotheism?: 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.
, Final Review CLST 2102
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_htkspv
10. How did Christians interpret the gods of polytheism?: Polytheism: world is god, Chris-
tians are looking for a different world
11. Why did Christianity attract legal action by the state?: They refused to worship state gods
and, therefore, were considered atheists
12. What were the rumors about Christian services?: They had "love feasts" which included
cannibalism and incest
13. What were the Christians rumored to worship?: Said to worship a condemned criminal and
the head of an ass
14. What did Pliny find out about their ceremonies?: -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..
15. What was Trajan's policy towards the Christians?: Don't seek them out; if denounced and
proven guilty, then they will be punished
16. According to Pliny, how could a person prove they were not a Christian?: 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
17. Who conducted the first empire wide persecution of Christians?: Decius...-Nero
(64) - Galerius (311) primarily local
18. Who granted official toleration of Christianity?: Galerius
19. Under whom did Christianity become an official state religion?: Constantine
20. Who banned pagan worship?: Theodosius I
21. How does one find guidance for living life well, and assure oneself of an
afterlife that is at least not bad and hopefully blessed?: Philosophy (usually for wealthy,
educated people), Mystery cults
22. In which month did the Roman year originally start?: March because it was the start of
the growing season
23. Who switched Rome over to a solar calendar?: Julius Ceaser
24. Know the Roman system of giving dates and years.: Domus System: you count back from
certain days
