Impulsore Chresto. Opposition to Christianity in the Roman Empire c. 50-250 AD

    Research output: Book/anthology/dissertation/reportBookResearch

    Abstract

    Impulsore Chresto reassesses opposition to Christianity AD 50-250. The Roman authorities' persecutions have caught the attention of both the public, intrigued by martyrs, and scholars, arguing that executions were relatively rare. The latter is not challenged, but the executions are placed in context as the most dramatic aspect of a spectrum of opposition including rumors, polemic, harassment and accusations. Such opposition was taken for granted and rarely described. But studying the preserved texts on trials against Christians it appears that even here the roles of relatives, plaintiffs, spectators or local officials were crucial. There were as many reasons for opposition as opponents, but some motives reappear in clusters: Christians were perceived as superstitious and ungodly, as endangering peace with the gods and social order.
    Original languageEnglish
    Place of publicationFrankfurt am Main
    PublisherPeter Lang
    Number of pages349
    ISBN (Print)978-3-361-56778-4
    Publication statusPublished - 2007
    SeriesEarly Christianity in the Context of Antiquity
    Volume2

    Keywords

    • Persecutions of Christians in the Roman Empire
    • Martyrs
    • Apologetics

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