The Greco-Roman World - Historical Context for the New Testament

Explore the historical context crucial for understanding the New Testament in this 49-minute Yale University lecture. Delve into Alexander the Great's conquests and the spread of Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean world, shaping city-states and introducing Greek institutions. Examine religious syncretism and the rise of the Romans, continuing the universalization of Greek ideals and religious tolerance. Investigate the social structure of the Roman household and learn how the Pax Romana and vast Roman Empire infrastructures facilitated Christianity's rapid spread. Discover the impacts of Hellenization, Greek city-states, religious mixing, Roman social structures, and the rise of Julius Caesar and Octavian on the New Testament's historical backdrop.