1st century

Rome at the summit. In Judea, a preacher is executed

What happened — and why

Christ

In a province of a great empire, a preacher is executed. His disciples claim that he has risen. Within three centuries this sect will become the religion of the empire.

The philosophical cause

Greek philosophy prepared the ground: Plato spoke of the immortality of the soul, the Stoics of the equality of all people. The Gospel says the same — but for everyone.

Four hundred years later Augustine will synthesize Plato and the Gospel. All of medieval culture will grow out of that synthesis.

Seneca under Nero

Seneca is an adviser to the emperor Nero and Rome's greatest moralist. In the end Nero will order him to take his own life.

The philosophical cause

Seneca — Stoic philosophy: live by reason, whatever the circumstances. Seneca lived in wealth while writing about poverty — and that contradiction tormented him.

His death became a model for all of European culture: die with dignity, as you taught.

Thinkers and figures of the century