Roman Republic
What was the name of the Roman law that was written down and placed in the Roman Forum? Why?
Twelve Tables. It was displayed publicly so all citizens could know the law and prevent elite control.
How did Caesar’s military success in Gaul change the balance of power between generals and the Roman government?
Victories in Gaul gave him loyal armies, shifting power from the Senate to individual generals.
What did SPQR stand for and why was it important to Rome?
“The Senate and People of Rome,” symbolizing that political authority belonged to both the Senate and the Roman people.
The historicity of Jesus is clearly evident even outside the bible. Why does having external sources outside the bible about Jesus provide more credibility?
Shows the influence of Jesus even within hostile groups and provides additional layers of verification.
One of the most influential Hellenistic philosophies was Stoicism. What does Epictetus mean by things that are “up to us” versus things that are not?
Stoicism teaches that peace comes from controlling our thoughts and choices, not external events.
How does the use of state-provided material benefits to secure popular support—seen in the land and grain policies of the Gracchi and the Bolshevik promises of “bread” under Vladimir Lenin—help explain why such policies can both win mass loyalty and undermine republican self-government over time?
By promising land or bread, both the Gracchi and Vladimir Lenin gained support by meeting real needs, but taught dependence on the government rather than the law. This weakened rule of law.
How did Caligula's demand for a statue escalate tensions between the Jews and Romans, and how did this event contribute to the broader conflict that eventually led to the Jewish revolt?
His demand for a statue in the Jerusalem Temple insulted Jewish beliefs. Although this plan was abandoned, the crisis of Jewish identity led to growing incidents of resistance and poor management.
Why was the simple statement "Jesus is Lord" considered a significant and radical declaration in the context of the Roman Empire?
"Jesus is Lord" defied Roman authority by affirming Christ as supreme.
What biases influenced the Enlightenment's portrayal of the so-called "Dark Ages"?
Enlightenment thinkers, opposing the Church, labeled the Middle Ages as ignorant, ignoring its contributions to science.
What does Epicurus mean by “pleasure,” and how is his definition different from a life of indulgence or excess?
pleasure is not about constant fun or indulgence, but about being content, peaceful, and free from fear and discomfort.
Is citizenship mainly about rights, or responsibility for the common good—and why does that distinction matter?
Citizenship can mean having rights, or it can mean taking responsibility for the common good. When it focuses only on rights, responsibility and freedom weaken.
How does Cicero define a republic, and why does agreement on justice matter in his definition?
Cicero defines a republic as a people united by shared justice and the common good, because without agreement on justice, lawful order cannot last.
How did traditions, rituals, and historical memory function as tools for forming citizens rather than merely preserving culture?
They taught shared values, duties, and standards through repeated practice and example, forming people who saw themselves as responsible members of a community.
What did Pelagius teach about human nature and salvation?
Pelagius taught that people are born good and can choose righteousness and salvation by their own free will rather than needing God’s grace first
Tertullian is famous for his statement, "What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem?"
Tertullian rejects philosophy, believing it leads to heresy and that Christian truth comes solely from divine revelation.
“In truth, until the destruction of Carthage, the Senate and Roman people conducted the affairs of the republic with shared calmness and restraint. There were no rivalries among the citizenry for either glory or dominance. Instead, a fear of the enemy kept the state in good order. But when that anxiety was absent from their considerations, then decadence and hubris–the natural dividends of prosperity–began to dominate. Consequently, the very calm that they had once so eagerly sought in their times of trial, proved, later when they had obtained it, to be far more injurious and dangerous than the adversity itself.” What does this passage from Sallust reveal about Rome’s dangers before and after the destruction of Carthage? What does this teach us about human nature?
Rome stayed disciplined under external threats, but after security came, internal moral decay became its greatest danger
This shows that when people feel secure and successful, they tend to lose self-control and virtue.
How did traditions, rituals, and historical memory function as tools for forming citizens rather than merely preserving culture?
They taught shared values, duties, and standards through repeated practice and example, forming people who saw themselves as responsible members of a community.
How does Cicero define a republic, and why does agreement on justice matter in his definition?
Cicero defines a republic as a people united by shared justice and the common good, because without agreement on justice, lawful order cannot last.
What is the gospel? Explain your answer.
In Greek, it means "Good News," about how Jesus, fully God, humbled Himself by also becoming fully man, offering Himself as the final atoning sacrifice. Through His death and resurrection, He appeased God's wrath, and extended salvation to all who trust in Him.
How does Augustine defend incorporating Greek philosophy into Christian thought?
Augustine believes that all truth belongs to God, regardless of its source, and that Christians should reclaim valuable philosophy while ensuring it remains subordinate to divine revelation.
According to Cicero, why must laws be grounded in moral truth rather than the will of the powerful or the majority? What is natural law?
Both can change, but true justice is rooted in unchanging natural law; without this foundation, laws become tools of tyranny rather than of justice.
A moral right and wrong built into the world that people can understand through reason, and human laws are valid only when they follow it.
Why do Rome, Augustine, and Washington all warn that power and institutions cannot preserve a republic without virtuous citizens?
They warn this because laws and institutions depend on the moral character of the people who use them. Without virtuous citizens, power is corrupted and liberty cannot last.
What actions did the Gracchi brothers take to address Rome’s social and economic problems, and what effects did those actions ultimately have on the Roman Republic according to Appian?
The Gracchi used land and grain reforms to address Rome’s problems, but Appian shows their actions increased division, weakened the law, and led to violence that damaged the Republic.
BIEQ: In what ways can believers today inadvertently adopt functional Gnostic views, and how can we correct this perspective?
by prioritizing spiritual experiences or practices like manifesting, which deny the sovereignty of God. Christians should also affirm that the body and soul are redeemed for good works.
BIEQ: How does Jesus’ teaching about the “sword” in Matthew 10:34 challenge the idea that religion should simply promote social harmony, and what does it reveal about the cost of allegiance to God’s kingdom?
God’s Word brings division rather than mere harmony and may cost believers social acceptance and comfort in being loyal to His kingdom.