HOMEROME - ITS HISTORY AND SETTING
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As capital of the Roman Empire, the city was the seat of Roman government. During its long history, Roman government went through the forms of a monarchy, a republic, and an empire.
The monarchy occurred from 753 to 510 B.C. when Rome was ruled by kings. After Romulus, the first king (ruled 753 to 714 B.C.), Rome was ruled by six other princes until the decline of the monarchical form of government in 510 B.C.
As a republic, Rome was governed by elected consuls who in turn presided over the senate. Under the republic, Rome expanded its borders and engaged in major internal reforms. The period of the republic lasted until 31 B.C. when Caesar Augustus became the first emperor. He developed Rome into a beautiful and stately city.
During the reign of Augustus as emperor in Rome, Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. At that time and during the entire New Testament period, Judea was under Roman rule. Roman influence penetrated the entire Jewish community and continued to be felt in the life and mission of the New Testament church. During the reign of Tiberius, successor to Augustus, Jesus' public ministry occurred. And the great missionary endeavors of the apostle Paul took place during the reign of Claudius. Under Nero, the city of Rome was burned, Christians were persecuted, and the apostle Paul was martyred.
The Book of Acts describes the thrilling story of the early church as it shared the gospel, beginning at Jerusalem and finaly reaching Rome.
The apostle Paul's first known connection with Rome was when he met Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth (Acts 18:2). They had left Rome when Claudius expelled all the Jews from the City. Some few years after meeting Aquila and Priscilla, Paul decided that he "must also see Rome" (Acts 19:21). When he wrote his letter to the Christians at Rome, his plan was to visit friends in the city on his way to Spain (Rom. 15:24).
However, Paul actually went to Rome under very different conditions than he had originally planned. To keep from being killed by hostile Jews in Jerusalem, Paul appealed to Caesar. The binding effect of that appeal ultimately brought him to the capital city as a prisoner. Here he waited for his trial. The Book of Acts closes at this point, and one must rely on secular history and references in the Pastoral Epistles for the rest of the story. Tradition holds that Paul was ultimately martyred by Nero during the emperor's persecution of Christians.
The city to which Paul came was very similar to a modern city. The public buildings and other structures were lavishly constructed. A new senate house and a temple to honor Caesar had been constructed in A.D. 29. In A.D. 28 the senate had authorized Augustus to rebuild or restore some 82 temples which were in need of repair. In the process, he build a great temple to Apollo near his palace on the Palatine Hill. Other buildings included the Coliseum, where Roman games occurred.
The houses of the wealthy people of Rome were elaborately constructed and situated on the various hills, but most of the people lived in tenements. These crowded apartment dwellings were multi-storied buildings that engulfed the city. Over a million people lived in these tenements, which were surrounded by narrow and noisy streets with a steady flow of traffic day and night.
The people of Rome were provided with food and entertainment by the state. Wine was also plentiful and cheap. Admission to the games was free. Large crowds attended these games, which included chariot racing, gladiatorial contests, and theatrical performances.
Like Babylon, the city of Rome became a symbol of paganism and idolatry in the New Testament. The Book of Revelation contains several disguised references to the pagan city. Most scholars agree that Revelation 17-18 should be interpreted as predictions of the fall of Rome.
ROMAN LAW
Roman authority ranged from the absolute power of the emperor to the function of the senate and the imperial civil service. Judicial procedure in Rome generally included appearance before a magistrate, a trial, and the selection of a judge who would then render judgment on a case.
In the provinces, Roman law was administered by Roman officials. Pontius Pilate, for example, was the Roman governor involved in the trial of Jesus. The gospel accounts of this episode give considerable insight into the judicial procedure of the Romans and how they related to local Jewish officials (Matt. 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18-19).
The apostle Paul's Roman citizenship granted him certain privileges as well as protection from Jewish and Roman fanaticism (Acts 16:35-39; 22:22-29). His imprisonment in Caesarea and defense before Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa (Acts 23:26-26:32), as well as his specific appeal to plead his case before Caesar (25:10-12), are good examples of Roman civil and legal law.
Christianity began in Roman territory and expanded into additional areas controlled by Rome. Christians were expected to observe Roman law and not to get involved in any disorderly, suspicious, or treasonous activity.
The Book of Acts shows that the early Christians were protected and acquitted by the Roman authorities. They recognized Christianity as a legal and valid religion with the right to exist. Paul affirmed that he had not broken any Jewish, religious, or Roman law (Acts 25:8).
Bible Notes for Romans
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