When my children and I studied Ancient Rome, we spent an entire year on the subject. We completely immersed ourselves in the history of the Romans. We also immersed ourselves into the history of the Church, as the birth of the Catholic Church falls right in the middle of the Ancient Roman era. In addition to all the books on Roman history and culture, we read about the early saints and popes, particularly those who were martyred. Studying biographies of the saints gives us a peek into the world in which they lived and died. We are introduced to the heroes and villains of their era. I can't think of a more exciting way to share history with our children.
Recently, I got a peek at History Links' Rome unit. There I learned that the martyrs of this age considered themselves to be athletes of the faith, training for heaven. They prayed for their persecutors, realizing that the battle was against Satan, not man. Many Romans were moved by their example and Christianity was able to spread across the empire. Our children will also be moved by their example.
The Romans began their persecutions of the Christians with Nero. In 64 AD a fire broke out near the Circus Maximus, raging for ten days, with ten of the fourteen districts being destroyed. When the blame began to fall on Nero, he found an easy scapegoat with the Christians. The children were curious as to why the Christians were easy targets. I found the answer in the text Church History (TAN). The author, Fr. John Laux, includes actual transcripts and letters that give the reader insight to the workings of Roman government. Christians were not tolerant of pagan religions. Because they viewed the heathen deities as evil, the Christians were labeled narrow-minded bigots (sound familiar?). Christians held their meetings in secret, opening them up to exaggerated rumors. They did not purchase pagan images, animals for sacrifice, donate money to the pagan churches, and so on. This made them hated by businessmen and pagan priests.
The persecutions continued, off and on, for centuries. The Romans believed in the absolute power of the State, even in matters of faith. A Christian following his conscience of course would not bow down and provide offerings to the Roman gods. This kept the fires of hatred toward the Christians burning.
I often tell my children that they must stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone. Reading stories about St. Cecilia, St. Polycarp, St. Justin, and so on reinforce that lesson. I did not find an abundance of books on the individual Roman Martyrs, but I did find some treasures in compilations. For example, Neumann Press' Heroes of God's Church includes biographies of saints from Roman to modern times, but there were enough to choose from the Roman era to make it worth my purchase (we are now using it in our study of the Middle Ages). A search through your home library may turn up such a treasure.
Bishops being martyred under Trajan, St. Ignatius fighting heresy in the early Church, the persecutions in Lyons, St. Justin using arguments of philosophy to persuade the Emperor Aurelius to validate Christianity — these are all events worth further study in our homeschools. The Saints impact history in a way that is still felt today and we would be remiss not to share their stories with our children.
(Originally published by Catholic Home Educator, Advent 2000 www.nache.org)
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:59 am
A wonderful resource on the early Church for adults are the Holy Father's Wednesday Audiences starting Mar 15, 2006. Starting with the apostles and other disciples whose names are in the New Testament, he has continued with discussions of the Teachers of the Early Church (last Wednesday he discussed St. Cyril of Alexandria). [The audiences from Mar.15, 2006 to Feb. 14, 2007 have been compiled into a book called The Apostles.]
While I stated this is a good resource for adults, I must add that I read his talk on St. Matthew to my eight and six year old daughters, on St. Matthew's feast day, with positive results.
Other early Church resources I've used with my children have been Windeatt's St. Paul the Apostle and The First Christians:The Acts of the Apostles for Children by Marigold Hunt.
Fifty-Seven Saints by Eileen Hefferman also has the stories of several Saints of the Early Church much as Heroes of God's Church does. It also contains Saints from Jesus's time to WWII (plus the Archangels) arranged in chronological order.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I recommend Fabiola, which is a novelization, but you will find out a ton about the early Church martyrs.
Also, City of the Golden House, is another historical fiction book about the fire, and the blame put on the Christians, etc.
Thanks for a great article, Maureen.
October 5th, 2007 at 5:51 am
A great resource for parents and high school students are Mike Aquilina's books:
The Mass of the Early Christians, and
The Fathers of the Church
October 5th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Golly gee willikers — how could I forget Mike's other book on the early Christians — Living the Mysteries. That's a must have.
Some other book and audio ideas, not yet mentioned:
High school and adult:
The Spear and The Restless Flame by Louis de Wohl (Ignatius): Louis de Wohl wrote his novels based on the lives of the Saints many years ago, but they are still exciting to read today. The Spear is one of my all time favorite novels.
Church History and Introduction to the Bible by Father John Laux, M. A. (TAN): These two texts cover a lot more than the beginning of the Church. Reading the section on the New Testament in Introduction to the Bible and the chapters on the birth of the Church and the Roman Martyrs in Church History will give a good look into Ancient Rome.
Europe and the Faith by Hilaire Belloc (TAN): Gives insight to impact of the Church on the history of Europe.
Christ the King, Lord of History by Anne Carroll (TAN): Catholic high school history text that includes ancient history.
Grade school and middle school:
The Old World and America by Rev. Philip J. Furlong, Ph.D. (TAN): Catholic middle school text that includes ancient history.
The Daughter of Light (Regina Martyrum): Audio drama of St. Philomena.No Greater Love (Regina Martyrum): Audio drama of St. Valentine
Founders of Freedom (Neumann): Catholic history text for middle school that includes ancient history.
No Greater Love, The Daughter of Light, and In This Sign You Shall Conquer (Regina Martyrum Productions): Audio dramas on the lives of the saints.
What are your favorite resources for Ancient Rome?