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Explain why Romans began to accept Christianity and why it took so long for it to be accepted by the state?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
The Romans already had a sophisticated pagan religion that most felt met their spiritual needs. Those who were looking for a different direction had a range of new religions to choose from, such as Judaism, the mystery religions, Mithraism and Christianity, and not all those who sought a new direction chose Christianity. By the start of the fourth century, Christianity was still very much a minority religion. Had Emperor Constantine not given Christianity state patronage, Christianity may never have become the universal religion that it did become.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoRemember, Rome was known for its tolerance of many gods/goddesses like the Greeks were. The simplest reason then would be that by 321-325 A.D., Emperor Constantine made Christianity an official religion of the Roman Empire.
Shortly thereafter, another Emperor Theodosius by 486-489 AD, made the term 'Catholic' mandatory for Christianity via his edict and barred the popular pagan god/goddess Mithra and Isis worship ( but included or absorbed some of these pagan traditions into their new RC religion of the Empire). Now Catholicism was the only religion tolerated in the Empire.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoA great many inhabitants of the Roman Empire did not take long to accept Christianity. They were forced to convert to Christianity under the threat of execution.
Christianity was a minority religion until it was endorsed by the last Roman emperors. It was the support of these emperors which turned Christianity into the major religion of the empire. Laws against Roman and other pagan religions were introduced and pagans were persecuted. The emperor Theodosius stepped up this process. He expanded the bans on pagan practices He ordered the first systematic destruction of pagan temples and shrines in the countryside, which had been the focus of life in rural areas. Soldiers and mobs of monks and fanatics carried out these destructions. Temples, monuments and libraries in towns were confiscated and plundered or burnt. Such campaigns were launched several times, and often they were sponsored by bishops. Pagans were persecuted. Confessions were extracted with the help of torture and people were induced to implicate their friends and families. Many pagans were executed, others were imprisoned or exiled. In some provinces of the empire, pagan prisoners, exiles and fugitives were said to account for more than half of the population. St Augustine interpreted a passage of The Bible as giving the right to use force to obtain conversions. Other emperors after Theodosius also conducted destruction and persecution campaigns.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoSome had begun to question the power of the old gods or their relevance to their lives. Those who were looking for a different direction from traditional Greco-Roman religion had a whole range of new religions to choose from, including Judaism, the mystery religions, Mithraism and Christianity, so not all those who sought a new direction chose Christianity. Nevertheless, Christianity attracted more than its share of converts, especially among the poor and lower classes.
By the start of the fourth century, Christianity was still very much a minority religion. Emperor Constantine then gave Christianity state patronage, marginalised Mithraism and began the long persecution of the pagan temples, thereby ensuring that Christianity would prosper and grow. Constantine's sons and successors continued the state patronage of Christianity and continued the persecution of pagan temples, but were mindful that the great majority of the population remained non-Christian. It was not until 381 CE that Emperor Theodosius was confident enough to make Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. But for imperial support, Christianity may never have become the universal religion that it did become.
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How did the Romans respond to the teachings of Jesus?
AnswerAccording to most scholars, the Romans largely ignored the Christian religion. Even as Christianity began to attract a modest number of adherents in the eastern Empire, the western Empire remained largely immune to the new religion. Those Romans who were aware of the teachings of Jesus admired the moral principles behind them, just as they admired Judaism. And gradually over the centuries, some began to accept Christianity.
Why were so many Romans willing to accept a dictator?
Twenty years of civil war meant many Romans were willing to accept a dictator
Why did Rome accept the Christians?
The ancient Romans were liberal in their beliefs. As long as people gave lip service to the state gods, they were free to worship as they saw fit. Rome accepted all religions except those that were considered treasonous or decadent.
Would America's founding Fathers accept Islam as a religion?
They wouldn't. They didn't accept other religions as far as Christianity / Catholic.
Were the Acadians accepted by the British colonists?
No the acadians were not accepted by the British colonists in America because they were foreign, but some made their way to Louisiana where the French did accept them.
Is Christianity accepted in Thailand?
Yes! We actually accept any kind of religions in Thailand.
Make five sentence with accept?
There are many ways you can use the word accept in a sentence. The five sentences you can make with the word accept are: I have accepted you in the family, I accept you to do better than this, You are accepted to do your homework, You are accepted to be in this class and You have accepted the papers.
What is the past participle of accepted?
'Accepted' is a past participle of 'accept' already.
What was one of the religoins that the Romans did not accept?
One religion that the Romans did not accept was Judaism. There were Jews who were Roman citizens and their religion was tolerated, but Romans themselves did not accept the theory of monotheism. Another religious practice that the Romans actually banned was Druidism.
What is the present tense of the word accept?
Accept is the present tense. Past tense would be accepted. ie. "I accept your offer" vs. "I accepted your offer".
What is the past tense of accept?
The past tense of accept is accepted.
What is the simple past of accept?
The simple past form of accept is accepted.
What is the simple form of accept?
The past form of accept is accepted.
Past participle of accept?
Accepted
What is the simple past form of accept?
The past form of accept is accepted.
Why were many Romans willing to accept a dictator?
Twenty years of civil war meant many Romans were willing to accept a dictator
Which roman leader made Christianity accept throughout the empire?
Your question can be answered with two Roman emperors, depending on what you mean by accept. Constantine made Christianity legal, which made it an acceptable religion. Theodosius I made Christianity mandatory, which meant that everyone had to accept Christianity.Your question can be answered with two Roman emperors, depending on what you mean by accept. Constantine made Christianity legal, which made it an acceptable religion. Theodosius I made Christianity mandatory, which meant that everyone had to accept Christianity.Your question can be answered with two Roman emperors, depending on what you mean by accept. Constantine made Christianity legal, which made it an acceptable religion. Theodosius I made Christianity mandatory, which meant that everyone had to accept Christianity.Your question can be answered with two Roman emperors, depending on what you mean by accept. Constantine made Christianity legal, which made it an acceptable religion. Theodosius I made Christianity mandatory, which meant that everyone had to accept Christianity.Your question can be answered with two Roman emperors, depending on what you mean by accept. Constantine made Christianity legal, which made it an acceptable religion. Theodosius I made Christianity mandatory, which meant that everyone had to accept Christianity.Your question can be answered with two Roman emperors, depending on what you mean by accept. Constantine made Christianity legal, which made it an acceptable religion. Theodosius I made Christianity mandatory, which meant that everyone had to accept Christianity.Your question can be answered with two Roman emperors, depending on what you mean by accept. Constantine made Christianity legal, which made it an acceptable religion. Theodosius I made Christianity mandatory, which meant that everyone had to accept Christianity.Your question can be answered with two Roman emperors, depending on what you mean by accept. Constantine made Christianity legal, which made it an acceptable religion. Theodosius I made Christianity mandatory, which meant that everyone had to accept Christianity.Your question can be answered with two Roman emperors, depending on what you mean by accept. Constantine made Christianity legal, which made it an acceptable religion. Theodosius I made Christianity mandatory, which meant that everyone had to accept Christianity.
