What is one element of Roman culture preserved by Christian bishops such as Augustine?

Answer 1

Augustine was a Roman. So were the other early theologians who have been called Fathers of the Church. The Roman Empire became predominantly Christian with two main churches (the Western or Latin Church which was the main church in the western part of the empire, and the Eastern or Greek Church which was the main church of the eastern part) and smaller dissident sects. Later these two churches came to be called Catholic and Orthodox respectively.

Given that the Catholic and Orthodox creeds developed in the Roman empire as Christianity spread, the writing of theologians like Augustine reflected the way Roman culture developed as it became Christian.

An example of the ancient Roman roots of the Christianity is the fact that Christian churches were modelled on the basilica, the public buildings of the Romans. The rectangular shape, the three naves and the apse were originally the parts of the structure of the basilicas. The Christians added to transept to form the shape of a cross. Moreover, there are churches which are called basilica (St Peter's is one of them). The use of domes in the orthodox churches also originates from the Romans who perfected the art of dome building. Another example is pontiff as the title of the pope's. It originates from Pontifex Maximus, who was title of the chief priest of Roman state religion.