Question
What was the Roman empire's views on Christianity at various points in its history? What caused them to change over time?
in 1 paragraph
1 answer
The Roman Empire had varying views on Christianity throughout its history. Initially, during the 1st century, Christianity was seen as a minor religious sect and was tolerated to some extent. However, as Christians refused to worship the Roman emperor as a god and their beliefs contradicted traditional Roman polytheism, they faced persecution. The empire's view towards Christianity changed significantly in the 4th century when Emperor Constantine embraced the religion, leading to its eventual acceptance and later becoming the official state religion under Emperor Theodosius in 380. The shift in views can be attributed to a combination of factors, including political motivations, social and cultural changes, and the influence of prominent Christian figures within the empire.
1 answer