Christianity. This word brings a lot of mixed thoughts in one’s head especially for those people who do not understand the concept of this religion, such as the people of Rome in early times. “ … And by a distinction between the seasons which is due to God’s arrangement, set aside some for festivals, others for times of sorrow- merely to suit their own inclinations! Who can consider this a proof of religion, and not, rather, of lack of understanding?” (The Epistle to Diognetus) Christianity was seen as an insignificant cult for the ignorant and uneducated types and also viewed to be as treason to Rome. They are thought to be lustful (love one another), sinful, immoral and vile creatures of society who follow a cult that practices inhumane and cruel acts for their god. They were thought to have drunk human blood, beaten up dogs cruelly for sacrifice, held secret meetings and ate babies to be saved, etc. Christianity is often misunderstood and is not given the chance to explain their belief and their opinion to others. In those times, when you were a Christian you will be sentenced to die without a chance to defend yourself. “There is full liberty given to answer the charge and to cross-question, since it is unlawful for men to be condemned without defense or without a hearing. Christians alone are permitted to say nothing that would clear their name, vindicate the truth, and aid the judge to come to a fair decision.” (A Christian Defense by Tertullian) They are also seen as a threat to the Roman Empire for refusing taking the “oath” and to worship their pagan gods that is why being a Christian is equivalent to treason. “ A stone of course, submits; for it has no feeling. Therefore, you really disprove its sensibility, do you not?”...
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There may be many questions and contradictions that may be asked upon Christianity, but there is always an explanation to it. There is a saying “The Bible can explain Science but Science cannot explain the Bible.” There are many things that serve as a contradiction to Christianity but knowing God, he has all of the answers that are even beyond philosophical comprehension and values and we should offer our lives to Him because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
“Christianity is a religion of sacrifice and duty, even more than the stoics teach. In the end, Christianity will help the Roman Empire because it is making people better on the inside, where it counts.” “Christianity is the only real friend that Rome has.”
- Junia
“Deo Omnis Gloria”
Giesler,M. (2002). Junia. United States of America: Scepter Publishers, Inc.
“By all the gods that romans bow before I here discard my sickness soul of rome “
“Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home? - What tributaries follow him to Rome, To grace in captive bonds his chariot-wheels?”
Horatius Cocles embodies Roman ideals, not simply by his blood relations, but because of his allegiance to the Republic at a time of conflict. He puts the community’s
Roman emperor Julian the Apostate and Christian leader Antony both exhibited many qualities of character during their existence. Both of them led very distinctive lives although shared several ethical values. Book 25 of “The Later Roman Empire” and the book “Early Christian Lives” show concrete evidence of this. In the following essay, I will argue how both leaders’ lives were devoted to their religious beliefs and their mutual cardinal virtues.
The rise of Christianity in Rome did not come easily. It came with much destruction and death. The spark of Christianity in Rome came from an appearance of Martyrs in Rome. Martyrs were people that were executed for going against the common beliefs of pagan (polytheistic) ways. (Tignor, 2011, p. 286) Because of these awful executions, Christianity is said to be based off of “the blood of martyrs.” One of their main ways of spreading Christianity was through the sharing of their writings and by 300 CE there was an exceptional amount of book production throughout Rome. (Tignor, 2011, p. 289) “Christianity operated as one among many minority religions in the Roman Empire, and on several occasions experienced widespread persecution, especially under the emperors Nero (r. 54–68), Decius (r. 249–251), and Diocletian (r. 284–305). However, the situation changed radically under the emperor Constantine (r. 306–337), who in 313 issued the Edict of Milan that made Christianity a legitimate religion in the empire.” (Melton, 2010, p. 634)
3. I often waged war, civil and foreign, on the earth and sea, in the whole wide world, and as victor I spared all the citizens who sought pardon. As for foreign nations, those which I was able to safely forgive, I preferred to preserve than to destroy. About five hundred thousand Roman citizens were sworn to me. I led something more than three hundred thousand of them into colonies and I returned them to their cities, after their stipend had been earned, and I assigned all of them fields or gave them money for their military service. I captured six hundred ships in addition to those smaller than triremes.
Antony Kamm ~ The Romans: An Introduction Second Edition, Published in 2008, pages 47, 93
A Roman hero is one who not only displays great pietas, but also acts in accordance with stoic beliefs. To be pious is to show great devotion to the duty of one’s family, the gods, as well as fate. Stoicism is the belief that one should act according to reason rather than personal desires, submitting oneself to the fate predetermined by the gods. In both pietas and stoicism, actions are performed in order to satisfy the needs of the greater good. Dissociating oneself from emotions allows the individual to pursue a state of ataraxia, emancipation from the torment induced by emotions. By adhering to stoic principles, one will not be moved by their passions, allowing for a full investment in one’s pietas. Aeneas...
... hundreds of years after the empire’s fall. In Washington D.C., the use of columns, arches, and domes is a common theme in most political buildings, as well as domestic homes. Christianity is now a widely adopted religion, practiced by approximately thirty-three percent of the entire world’s population. Justinian’s codification of Roman law can still be compared with legal and justice systems from around the world, especially in western civilization. The idea that Rome actually fell and that Rome had been killed is horribly wrong, for today, as vividly as yesterday; as true as the promise of tomorrow’s rising sun - Rome lives on. In the subtle curve of an elegant column, in the chromatic dazzle of a church’s stained glass window, and in the crack of a judge’s mallet, bringing justice to all those our mighty nation gives promise to protect and serve, Rome survives.
The Roman Empire is credited with many things due partially to their ability to share, spread, and adapt culture. Rome was successful because it both conquered and shared the fruits of conquest with the conquered. Religion was one part of the culture that demonstrated the tolerance of Romans. For example, at the time of Jesus’ birth, paganism could be divided into three spheres: the official state religion, the traditional cults of the hearth and countryside, and the new mystery religions from the East. Even though the official religion in the Roman Empire began as Pagan, it ended as Christianity when Emperor Theodosius declared it as the official religion in A.D. 380. The following examines two works of fiction that deal with religion during the Roman Empire.
Shelton, J.A. (1998). As the Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social History. (2nd ed.) New York: Oxford University Press.
Rome, even at its beginnings, proved to be a force to be reckoned with. It’s rapid growth and accumulation of power and repeated victories over powerful neighbors set Rome in a position of great authority and influence. As the leader of early Rome, Romulus’ effective command of his men and governance of his people provided the foundation for the building of a great city. Livy emphasizes Romulus’ possible divine origins and strong ties to deities as a validation and reinforcement of his ability to rule. A nation’s sole defense cannot be just bricks and mortar, it requires an army and a will and Romulus was able to successfully take action against the aggressors when action was needed.
Christianity, originally, was thought of as an outsider religion, and wasn’t accepted by most Romans. The Romans could learn to live with other religions, but not when they were harmful to public order. At one point, Romans viewed it to be just that. Christians tended ...
During Jesus’ life he was teaching in many different ways one of them was telling the parables. Parable is an earthly story with the heavenly meaning. That means that Jesus was making up a story in which there would be a real people, working of doing something that was common at that times. Sometimes he used the values whether material or spiritual, that were valuable in old times. So he was making everything to make the story look more realistic. But under the close of the poor man or woman and under the animal or a subject there was always something mach more complicated, something about his father, himself, and the people that were following the God or not.
In short, Stark finds that Christians prospered the old-fashioned way: by providing a better, happier and more secure way of life. When epidemics struck, the indifferent pagan gods were of no avail. Nor was Roman medicine. But Christians survived in greater numbers than their pagan neighbors because they had both faith in a loving God and extensive social services that cared for the sick, the poor and widows. In the end, Stark concludes, Christians "revitalized" the Roman Empire because they manifest a demanding God who cares.