Christianity and Traditional Cults in the Roman Empire
Summary
In the fourth and fifth centuries, the relationship between Christianity and traditional cults was one of evolving tension, with Christianity growing in prominence and eventually receiving imperial patronage. However, traditional cults persisted until the end of the fourth century, when Theodosius issued an edict prohibiting all sacrifices and closing all temples. Hardline Christians also instigated direct action against temples, leading to the sack of the great sanctuary of Serapis in Alexandria. Eusebius developed a new form of historical writing based on Christian views of the past, while Julian promoted traditional cults and sought to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. By the end of the fourth century, classical literature was heavily contested between pagans and Christians, with senators involved in copying and correcting texts of classical literature. The transmission of manuscripts played a crucial role in preserving the Greek Bible, and by AD 400, Christianity had become the dominant religion in the Roman Empire.
Table of Contents
- The Relationship Between Christianity and Traditional Cults
- Eusebius’ Chronicle and Historical Writing
- Julian’s Promotion of Traditional Cults
- Contested Classical Literature
- The Transmission of Manuscripts
- Christianity’s Growing Prominence
Q&A
The Relationship Between Christianity and Traditional Cults
Q: When did traditional cults continue to be practiced until?
A: Traditional cults continued to be practiced into the fifth century, with Christianity growing in strength but not yet officially the religion of the empire.
Q: Who was responsible for the destruction of traditional temples?
A: Constantine was responsible for few destructions of traditional temples, only those associated with Apollonius of Tyana. Subsequent emperors issued legal protection of temple structures, though they were not to be used for rituals after 389.
Q: When did Theodosius prohibit all sacrifices and close all temples?
A: The emperor Theodosius prohibited all sacrifices and closed all temples in 391 and 392.
Q: What did hardline Christians do regarding temples?
A: Hardline Christians instigated direct action against temples, with the great sanctuary of Serapis in Alexandria sacked in 392.
Eusebius’ Chronicle and Historical Writing
Q: What did Eusebius establish with his Chronicle?
A: Eusebius established a new sort of historical writing based on broader and more inclusive Christian views of the past, going back to the time of Abraham.
Q: What did Eusebius use as the starting date of his chronology?
A: Eusebius used the birth of Abraham as the starting date of his chronology, using a Chronography to date Moses and the Jewish prophets in relation to the birth of Christ and correlating this story-line with various other peoples and cultures of the time.
Q: Who inspired Eusebius to write the first history of the Christian Church?
A: Eusebius was inspired by Josephus to write the first history of the Christian Church, beginning with the birth of Christ and ending with the unification of the whole empire under Constantine.
Julian’s Promotion of Traditional Cults
Q: What did Julian do after being instructed to leave Nicomedia and join Constantius?
A: Despite being a prince and still publicly a Christian, Julian declared himself a committed pagan after being instructed by Emperor Constantius to leave Nicomedia and join him in Mediolanum.
Q: What did Julian promote?
A: Julian promoted traditional cults and animal sacrifices, and sought to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem to drive a wedge between Christians and Jews.
Q: Did Julian succeed in his mission?
A: Julian failed in his mission, and the Jews found themselves increasingly restricted by imperial legislation.
Contested Classical Literature
Q: Who was involved in copying and correcting texts of classical literature?
A: Senators in Rome, many of whom were pagans, were involved in copying and correcting texts of classical literature, such as Livy.
Q: Was the reading of classical literature problematic for some Christians?
A: The reading of classical literature remained problematic for some Christians, creating tension between the two groups.
The Transmission of Manuscripts
Q: Where were Greek authors’ authoritative texts established?
A: We know what ancient authors wrote mainly through the establishment of authoritative texts by libraries, such as the library in Alexandria for Greek authors.
Q: How were surviving ancient manuscripts of texts preserved?
A: Surviving ancient manuscripts of texts, such as Virgil, have been preserved in antique manuscripts such as the Codex Sinaiticus and the Codex Vaticanus.
Q: What role did the Carolingian period play in the transmission of manuscripts?
A: The Carolingian period played a crucial role in the transmission of manuscripts, forming the basis for the surviving copies after AD 1000.
Christianity’s Growing Prominence
Q: When did Christianity become the dominant religion in the Roman Empire?
A: By AD 400, each city in the Roman empire had its own bishop and at least one church, while monasteries were becoming widely established, particularly in Egypt and in the west under Martin. Thus, Christianity had become the dominant religion in the Roman Empire.
Conclusion
The evolving relationship between Christianity and traditional cults in the Roman Empire during the fourth and fifth centuries was one of tension and competition. Although traditional cults continued to be practiced into the fifth century, Christianity was growing in strength and eventually received imperial patronage, which put pressure on senators to convert and defined aspects of pagan rituals as illegal. However, there were hardline Christians who instigated direct action against temples, leading to the destruction of some structures. Eusebius developed a new form of historical writing based on Christian views of the past, using a Chronography to date significant events in relation to the birth of Christ. Although Julian sought to promote traditional cults and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, he ultimately failed in his mission, and the Jews found themselves increasingly restricted by imperial legislation. As senators in Rome involved in copying and correcting texts of classical literature, classical literature was heavily contested between pagans and Christians, creating tension between the two groups. Nonetheless, the transmission of manuscripts played a significant role in preserving texts, such as the Greek Bible, and by AD 400, Christianity had become the dominant religion in the Roman Empire.
