Ancient Greece and Rome - Essay Example

? ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME ON FILM By Lecturer: of Affiliation: and Ancient Greece and Rome on Film Question 4: Pagans and Christians Introduction Quo Vadis is an American epic film of 1951 that was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and it was adapted from a classic 1896 Quo Vadis novel. The action of this epic film took place back in the ancient Rome starting from 64 to 68 AD (LeRoy, 2008). This was the period when Claudius emperor was in power and this was the period when there was corruption and destructive emperor Nero ascended into power. Nero eventually threatened to destroy the peaceful order of the Rome and the main issue was the conflict between Christianity and debauchery of the Roman Empire (LeRoy, 2008). The film narrates the story of Roman military commander who fell in love with a devout Christian woman known as Lygia, who was a Roman captive because she was raised up as an adopted daughter of Aulus Plautius. The military commander, Marcus Vinicius slowly became intruded by the religion of Lygia. Their love story is narrated in a broader historical context of earlier Christianity and its persecution by Nero (Scodel and Bettenworth, 2009, p. 9). The acts of Nero became highly outrageous; thus he ended up burning Rome and started blaming Christians. Marcus went to save Lygia and her family but Nero captured them and demand both of them, as well as, Christians to be killed. However, Petronius, the trusted consultant of Nero cautioned Christians that they will be made martyrs and since he was tired of madness acts of Nero, Petronius decided to kill himself (Scodel and Bettenworth, 2009, p. 11). Marcus was later arrested due to an attempt of saving the family of Lygia and another person known as Peter was killed by being crucified upside down. Peter returned to Rome and married the couple arguing that it was a sign of the lord but he was eventually killed. In short, the story ends where Marcus is released from the prison and marries Lygia. Marcus replaced Nero and eventually people realized that he was the one who burnt Rome but not the Christians. People wanted to kill Nero but he escaped into the palace where he strangled Poppaea to death claiming that he was the one who attempted to scapegoat the Christians. In the palace, the slave of Nero appeared and offered to help Nero to terminate his life. After the death of Nero, Marcus and Lygia became free; thus they left Rome. By the roadside, the crosier that Peter had left after his return to Rome had already miraculously sprouted flowers; thus the radiant light uttered “I am the way, the truth and the life” (Scodel and Bettenworth, 2009, p. 12). The Way Filmmakers Use Roman Stories to Discuss Christianity Themes Filmmakers use Roman stories in order to discuss Christianity themes in diverse ways. One of the filmmakers that attempt to reveal the themes of Christianity is the Quo Vadis, which is an American epic film of 1951 that was directed by Mervyn LeRoy. An epic movie is a kind of film, which lays emphasis on human tragedy on a grand level and it is more ambitious in scale that any other genre films. Quo Vadis is one of the epic films because it attempts to reveal real human dramatic events or actions that took place in the ancient Roman. It attempts to reveal the way Christians were persecuted by some powerful leaders of the historical era in Rome. Quo Vadis is a Latin idiom meaning that “where are you going” but the modern usage of the idiom refers to a Christian tradition regarding Saint Peter (Scodel and Bettenworth, 2009, p. 21). The Filmmakers use Roman stories to discuss the theme of persecution or martyrdom in the life of Christians. For Christians, persecution or martyrdom is one of the significant aspects that strengthen their faith. The crucifixion of Christ and his death at the cross is what altered everything including the live of Christians. For instance, the epic film of Quo Vadis offers an example of people like Saint Peter and among other Christians who were persecuted because of their religious beliefs and practices. Peter was crucified upside down just because of his strong religious faith but he endured the pain just as the way Christ was persecuted but Christ resurrected and went to heaven. From the film of Quo Vadis, Jesus is revealed as the truth, ad way of life; thus those who were persecuted could also resurrect. Moreover, prior to the death and resurrection of Jesus, most ancient religious believers interpreted persecution, violence and martyrdom as a sign that their god was impotent or enraged. The persecution that led to the crucifixion of Jesus made his followers to alter this paradigm; thus the death of Christ was seen as a way of paying the price for the sins of his followers (Babington and Evans, 1993, p. 132). Therefore, filmmakers attempt to relate this paradigm with the Christians ways of living and their religious beliefs of faith. Historians have attempted to reveal the way earlier Christians linked their sufferings with those of Jesus Christ and they also align the source of those sufferings with the forces that killed Christ (Bandy, Monda and Museum of Modern Art, 2003, p. 27). As a result, Christian identifies themselves as innocent victims when they are persecuted and this can be linked with the epic film of Quo Vadis where people like Peter and many others were innocently persecuted by Nero. The ancient Roman Empire has been among the most unrelenting theme defining the immense persecution, which was the most severe Christians persecution in the early Roman kingdom (Malamud, 2009, p. 147). Filmmakers have attempted to reveal the way ancient Roman rulers wanted Christians to comply with the Roman religious practices such as worshiping idols, making rituals to gods and many others; thus persecution became intense across the Roman Empire. In the Quo Vadis film, the filmmaker reveals the way the time of Emperor Nero was the most problematic and paganism era, and this is the era where many Christians faced varied problems. They were forced to comply with the Roman laws and practices such as worshipping idols. However, some Christians such as Lygia and his family stood firm upon their faith despite the persecution and other challenges they faced. Therefore, film makers have made significant efforts of revealing the way Christians endures persecution and any other problems arising in the religious society; thus having faith in Christ is vital. Filmmakers also use Roman stories to discuss the theme of marriage and gender roles in the contemporary society. Marriage is considered as a sacred and woman must also be superior and tidy; thus the utmost virtue of a woman is chastity. However, marriage in viewed from different perspectives by both the believers and non-believers. The Roman pagans treated women like sex objects for sale but the attitude of Christians towards marriage was a form of bondage; thus Christians viewed women as their subordinate but not slaves. For instance, Lygia underwent varied problems especially the problem of marrying Marcus who was not a Christian religious believer. Marcus mistook Lygia as a slave and his paganism concept of male to female relations conflicted with that of Lygia. However, this movie is great because it also depicts that Christians should not despise paganism but associate with them; thus converting them into Christianity. Marcus was a pagan but through their marriage with Lygia, he changed his paganism attitudes towards the value and the role of a woman in the society. The filmmakers attempt to use Roman stories to discuss the conflicting issues arising between paganism and Christianity in the epic film. The conflicts in this epic film are significant because they provide good ideas on what to be like as a Christian and the way one is supposed to live in a paganism world. The Christians in this epic film such as Lygia had what it took to live in virtuous life under the leaders like Nero who was highly attached to paganism life. The conflicts between Christians and paganism contribute to varied aspects that eventually results to clearly understanding of the reality behind persecution. In other words, conflicts always occur or result in a society where there are numerous people with diverse differences. However, conflicts in this epic film can enable the readers to understand the rise of Christianity amidst the corrupt and cruelty of rulers in the ancient Roman Empire. Cyrino (2005, p. 89) depicts the way overwhelming majority of Christians in the ancient world idealized and suffering like Jesus, though few Christina died a violent death. Ancient Romans had a reason which was concerned with persecution of Christians and one of them is the scandalous rumors of Christians who involved in cannibalism and incestuous issues (Davies, 2003, p. 62). Another significant reason is that Christianity sounded like a revolutionary because Christians stated in courtrooms that they were not ready to respect anyone but only Jesus Christ. Many ancient rulers viewed the introduction and teachings of Christians as conflicting aspects between the ancient Roman practices and that of Christianity. Therefore, the ancient empires were accustomed to reshaping their religious identities; thus they magnanimously allowed harmonized groups to execute their own laws regarding religious practices. However, this liberality ended when socially and politically unruly issues arose and Christianity was viewed as a threat to the stability of the empire. These problems are what contributed to persecution of many Christians but some of them were unable to withstand the great persecution, but those with strong faith such as Saint Peter endured it. Filmmakers use Roman stories to discuss the significant of persecution and the reason for persecution, as well as, the emperor era during which Christians suffered immensely. Wyke (1997, p. 71) reveals varied reasons that contributed to intense persecution of Christians and the way Christians viewed persecution during the ancient era. The problem of identity is one of the aspects that contributed to increased persecution. Christianity was a strange religion and the teaching practices of Christianity especially the new cult confused ancient Roman people who were culturally attached to their cultural practices (Solomon, 2001, 177). The new religion of Christianity was viewed as threat of cultural practices of the ancient people; thus it contributed to conflicting issues. Another problem is the religious practices that seemed to differ from the ancient Romans and this also led to conflicting issues. The practices such as marriages practices, gender roles and many other religious practices conflicted with the cultural values of the ancient people; thus a cause for increased persecution. In addition, Christianity condemned corrupt nature of the ancient rulers because many of them were pagans and debauched or corrupt in nature. In the ancient life, the worship of pagans and royal leaders was among the cultural practices or part of life for every ancient Roman. Therefore, since Christianity condemned paganism and never participated in pagan rituals, they were persecuted. Pagans considered Christians as anti-social; thus whether imperial law enforcements were regulated, Christians became more cautious something that contributed to increased persecution. Moreover, the Christians became a threat to the well being of the ancient community because they refused to join religious activities of the pagans. The nature of Christian beliefs, which condemned idol worshiping, contributed to immense persecution. Christians hated abomination and other sinful activities such as debauchery, sexual activities and other immoral behaviors. This also contributed to persecution as reveled in the film of Quo Vadis especially the great persecution that took place during the regime of Emperor Nero. Are we always supposed to support the side of the persecuted Christians? Persecution is an intrinsic part of Christianity; thus many biblical stories attempt to offers an insight and clear understanding on the way apostles handled persecution. For instance, persecution in earlier churches was seen as a blessing to all the believers or Christians. Even in the contemporary society, persecution is highly regarded as a blessing and a way of strengthening the faith of Christians. Therefore, the society is always supposed to support the side of the persecuted Christians because persecution always results in growth of Christian faith. For instance, the filmmaker of Quo Vadis clearly reveals the way people discovered later that the persecuted Christians were not the one who burned Rome but instead it was Nero who wanted to make changes and gain power. Moreover, supporting the side of the persecuted Christians can enable one to realize the truth and the significant of persecution. Persecution contributes to spiritual growth and it is one way of testing Christians in case they can withstand temptations by showing their strong faith. Supporting the side of the persecuted Christians can help the society to understand the significant of having faith and the moral teachings of Christ. This is because persecution is among the significant ways of testing the conviction of Christians. Persecution of churches also removes the deadweight; thus finding out in case Christians are able to endure persecution. Many churches in the contemporary church have diverse group of people in church some of them who are not true Christians. Therefore, persecution is one of the ways that can enable Christians to get rid of non-believers and it is one way of making Christians to pay the price of following Christ. This means that persecution purifies the church; thus true Christians may preserve persecution because they do understand that they will eventually win the race. It is also significant to support the side of the persecuted Christians because persecution is one way of following Jesus by sharing his sufferings and promises, as well as, separating Christians from the world. One of the significant reasons for persecution is the need to separate Christians from the world. The cross separates Christians from non-Christians because the bible clearly indicates that if the world hated and persecuted Jesus, it will also persecute, as well as, hate those who follow Christ. Persecution is one way of sharing the sufferings and promises of Jesus Christ; thus the society should support the side of those who are being persecuted because they have known the truth. Christ suffered and he was handed into the hands of the rulers who persecuted, as well as, killed him and yet he was innocent. Therefore, supporting or being in the side of those who are persecuted is vital because in most cases, the one who persecutes them are always wrong because they have not yet known the truth. For example, the filmmakers of Quo Vadis clearly reveal the way Nero persecuted innocent people and falsely accused Christian for the burning of Rome and Christians yet he was the one responsible for the burning of Rome. Conclusion In conclusion, Quo Vadis is an American epic film that have attempted to reveal the way filmmakers use Roman stories to discuss the theme of Christianity. Filmmakers use Roman stories in order to discuss Christianity themes in diverse ways. One of them is the persecution or martyrdom, which is one of the significant aspects that strengthen the faith of Christians. Besides, prior to the death and resurrection of Jesus, most ancient religious believers interpreted persecution, violence and martyrdom as a sign that their god was enraged. They also use Roman stories to discuss the reason for persecution, as well as, the emperor era during which Christians suffered immeasurably. Filmmakers also use Roman stories to discuss the theme of marriage and gender roles in the contemporary society. Persecution is an intrinsic part of Christianity; thus many biblical stories attempt to offers an insight and clear understanding on the way apostles handled persecution. Additionally, supporting the side of the persecuted Christians can enable one to realize the truth and the significant of persecution. It is also significant to support the side of the persecuted Christians because persecution is one way of following Jesus by sharing his sufferings and promises, as well as, separating Christians from the world. Bibliography Babington, B., & Evans, P. W. (1993). Biblical epics: Sacred narrative in the Hollywood cinema. Manchester: Manchester University Press. Bandy, M. L., Monda, A., & Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.). (2003). The hidden God: Film and faith. New York: Museum of Modern Art. Cyrino, M. S. (2005). Big screen Rome. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub. Davies, T. (2003). “The Robe and Demetrius and the Gladiators” in Bandy, M.L. and Monda, A. (eds. The Hidden God: Film and Faith. New York. LeRoy, M., Mann, A., Zimbalist, S., Mahin, J. L., Behrman, S. N., Levien, S., Taylor, R., Warner Home Video (Firm). (2008). Quo vadis. Burbank, CA: Distributed by Warner Home Video. Malamud, M. (2009). Ancient Rome and modern America. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Solomon, J. (2001). The ancient world in the cinema. New Haven: Yale University Press, p.177- 224. Scodel, R., & Bettenworth, A. (2009). Whither Quo vadis?. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Wyke, M. (1997). Projecting the past: Ancient Rome, cinema, and history. New York: Routledge. Read More