Hi Fellow Bloggers! This post is about the History of Christianity in Rome. Enjoy :)


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Did Christianity Triumph? 

Introduction 

Looking back at history it seems as if Christianity became the dominate religion over paganism as Rome’s official religion overnight. Indeed, wars have been fought longer than it took Christians to excel to Rome’s official religion. (Regardless of the insurmountable challenges against them, Christianity rose.) For example, Christians were picked over non-Christians for legal positions, and art evolved to reflect a more Christian background. Although it seems to have happened in a relatively short time, many scholars find that one man is the catalyst of all this change, Constantine. How did he do it? 

Christianity Before Constantine

Before Constantine, Christianity was voluntary and many decided that the Christian God was the one that they wanted to worship and became converted to Christianity. Although they were persecuted for it, the Christians persevered in their beliefs. Prior to Constantine, Paganism was the dominate religion in Rome and worship of paganism was strongly practiced with sacrifices to the Gods (npr 2018). 

Furthermore, Romans were tolerant to other religions as long as the people practicing those of other religions would sacrifice to the Roman deities. When Christians did not sacrifice to other Gods than the God they believed in, they were heavily persecuted. In particular, Nero, the current ruler of Rome when the Christian population began to rise. As soon as the Roman rulers began to feel threatened over the movement of Christianity, they set out to do everything they could end it. As a result, Nero was one of the first to single out Christians for persecution. “The propitiations of the gods did not banish the sinister belief that the [great fire] was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace” (Tacitus, Annales 15.44). 

In addition to persecution on Christianity, the emperor’s son ordered the destruction of Jerusalem. In order to escape the Romans, Christians fled to Pella without taking any of their belongings in order to escape the mass destruction that would await them too. Fleeing was not enough to stop the oppression, under the instruction of Diocletian thousands of Christians were slaughtered and thousands more were forced to revert back to paganism to avoid condemnation. Under the rule of Diocletian, the tyranny was horrific, the worst Christians have ever known. They were publicly sacrificed, lost their property and citizenship, tortured, maimed, enslaved, and killed; Saint Sebastian being a prime example of what happened to the Christians during this period. (Cohen 1998). 

Although Christians continued to be persecuted, Christianity brought the appeal of salvation to the people of Rome. For example, large numbers of Romans converted because of their fear of hell and Christianity brought them the comfort of being safe from that fear (Cleve 1969). In Constantine confessions, Constantine speaks about this fear, lest that he should be denied by Christ, and that he wished to become a Christian (Constantine Confessions).

Christianity During and After Constantine 

            As a result of Constantine coming to power, Christians were relieved of persecution. Moving forward into a new era, Rome was divided into an eastern and western half and Constantine was one of four junior emperors. To summarize, a civil war broke, known as the battle of Milvian Bridge, out between the eastern and western halves and Constantine rose triumphant. 

            Later under Constantine’s control, Christian tolerance begun. This concept bloomed after Constantine signed the Edict of Milan, which granted religious tolerance to the Christians and restored their property that was previously taken by Diocletian. Along with being a good people person, Constantine ruled by example. “My form wasted away, and I became corrupt in thy eyes, yet I was still pleasing to my own eyes--and eager to please the eyes of men” (Constantine Confessions).Throughout his rule, he practiced pagan traditions, was baptized by the Arian bishop, allowed the brining of Arian books, had pagan gods sculpted on his triumphant arch, and finally, was baptized into Christianity on his death bed (Lunn-Rockliffe 2011). 

            In short, Constantine set Christianity up for success. Specifically, he allowed for Christianity to grow without punishment, especially in that he allowed more Christians to occupy the cities that had the social power. Eventually, Christianity started to influence Roman politics, policy, and beliefs. Ultimately, paganism was outlawed, and Christianity became the official religion of Rome (Cohen 1998). 

Although Constantine’s rule was the turning point for Christianity, it continued to thrive after his death. For example, Christians built churches that took the style of basilica, which was a Roman and Christian style in a new form (Dr. Farber). Lastly, historians point out that the Christianity practiced by the Romans if different than during Christs time, but the main teaching of Christ remained the same and continue to remain the same (Cohen 1998). 

Conclusion

            In conclusion, Christianity thrived after Constantine’s rule. Although it was a different Christianity that was practice when Christ was on the earth, the teachings remained and have left its mark on the Romans forever. Hence Christianity did triumph, however, maybe not in the traditional sense where someone took over in a battle and won and therefore are triumphant. In fact, Christianity’s rise came slowly, overcoming obstacles, and leaving their mark. Consequently, a single battle was not won, and many lost their lives for Christianity, which is not a win. To summarize, in the end over many years and many battles later, Christianity did triumph and is still practiced today and continues to thrive. 

Constantine 

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