answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer
A:Christianity spread relatively slowly for the first three centuries. By the time of Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor, scholars believe that Christians represented only around ten per cent of the population of the empire, mainly represented in the eastern part of the empire. Mithraism was another new religion of similar antiquity, and it rivalled Christianity until at least the third century, when many of Mithraism's followers seem to have switched allegiance to the god, Sol Invictus.

The policies of Constantine and his Christian successors not only ensured the survival of Christianity as a major religion, they also ensured its rapid growth in the decades to follow. At the end of the fourth century, Christians probably still represented a minority of the population when Emperor Theodosius declared Christianity to be the official religion of empire and that the public worship of the old gods was punishable by death.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Did Christianity spread very rapidly and become the majority religion in the Roman Empire by the end of the first century AD?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is one of he major religions in Africa and why?

The two major religions in Africa are Christianity and Islam. Christianity was better introduced in to Africa when it was declared a state religion in 300 C.E. In 440 C.E. majority of kindgom was converted and Christianity was declared as the official state religion. Islam spread to Africa through Arab passage. There were also many Muslim Empires in Africa which of course influenced religion. Islam rapidly grew in the 20th century.


When did Christianity become a leading religion?

Christianity is said to have been founded in the first century CE. I grew slowly throughout the Roman Empire until, at the beginning of the 4th century, it probably consisted about ten percent of the population. At this point, Emperor Constantine gave the proto-Catholic-Orthodox branch of Christianity state patronage. This patronage made Christianity socially and politically desirable for some, and the religion grew quite rapidly. In the decade of the 380s, Christianity was made the state religion, and in 391 CE pagan worship was banned. So, Christianity became a leading religion in the fourth century CE.


What religion has spread most rapidly in Asia?

If we take time as a measure of the spread of religion,then since its establishment ,Islam is the religion which spread or still spreading rapidly in Asia followed by Christianity.


Where was Christianity born at?

According to history, Christianity was founded in Paelstine during the first century by the desciples of Jesus Christ. From Palestine the ideas were spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire, however it took a while for the new religion to be accepted.


What religion do the majority of Americans and Canadians practice?

The religion is technically still considered to be Christianity. However the vast majority of the "christians" are not christians at all, but live hypocritical lives pretending to be them. Along with this, the numbers of the Islamic nation in these countries as well as all over the world are increasing rapidly. People estimate that before long, Islam could easily become the majority religion of the world.


How are English and Christianity similar?

Though English is a language and a peoples and Christianity is a religion, they are both growing rapidly around the world


When was Christianity the most popular and widespread?

Christianity really began to expand rapidly during the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine (306-337 CE). Before the end of the century, a majority of Roman citizens were Christian, and Christianity officially became the state religion of the empire. Thus, Christianity can be said to have been popularized during the fourth century.


What is the main religion in Australia?

Christianity is the largest faith system in Australia. The majority of Australian Christians are Protestant (such as Anglican and Presbyterian). About a quarter of Christians in Australia are Roman Catholic and there are a smaller number of Eastern Orthodox. Pentecostalism is rapidly growing. But it is still awesome that there are mainly Christians in Australia.


Why do you believe Christianity rapidly spread in the Roman Empire and is still a rapidly spreading religion today?

I Don't believe it is rapidly spreading today. 2000 years ago most people were dirt poor, religion is a way out, so to speak. "Your life is crap now, but believe in my imaginary god and after you die your 'life' will be all milk and honey"


What continent is Christianity growing fastest?

Factually speaking, Christianity is the largest growing religion and continues to grow in large numbers, Millions of Africans Convert to Christianity every year. Christianity (Mainly Protestantism) has also spread rapidly in China, about more than 60 million have converted.


What is the main religion in China today?

There is more than one religion practiced in China, although Buddhism is practiced most often. Other religions practiced are Taoism, Christianity, and Confucianism.


What are the religions that Japan has?

The only real religion that was founded in Japan is Shinto however Buddhism and Christianity have rapidly spread to become the more popular religions in Japan