What was the Roman empires views on Christianity at various points in its history? what caused them to change over time?

Answer 1

The Roman Empire's views on Christianity evolved over time, with different emperors and rulers having varying perspectives on the religion. Initially, Christianity was seen as a threat to the traditional Roman polytheistic religion and was met with suspicion and hostility.

In the early years of the Empire, Christians were persecuted and their beliefs considered seditious, as they refused to participate in the worship of Roman gods. The first major persecution of Christians occurred under the Emperor Nero in the 1st century AD, with sporadic persecutions continuing under subsequent emperors.

However, over time, the Empire's views on Christianity began to change. One factor that contributed to this shift was the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity in the early 4th century AD. Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which legalized Christianity and granted religious freedom to all citizens. This marked a turning point in the Empire's relationship with Christianity, as it went from being a persecuted minority to an accepted and eventually dominant religion.

Another factor that influenced the Empire's views on Christianity was the growth and spread of the religion throughout the Empire. As more and more people converted to Christianity, it became increasingly difficult to suppress the religion, leading to a gradual acceptance of its presence in Roman society.

Overall, the Roman Empire's views on Christianity changed over time due to a combination of political, social, and cultural factors, ultimately leading to the religion's eventual acceptance and dominance in the Empire.