Question

Question
What was the Roman empire's views on Christianity at various points in its history? What caused them to change over time?

(4 points)
answer in 4 sentences

Answer 1

Initially, the Roman Empire viewed Christianity with suspicion and hostility, seeing it as a sect that threatened traditional Roman religious practices and social order, leading to periods of persecution under emperors like Nero. Over time, as Christianity grew in popularity and spread throughout the empire, views began to shift, with belief systems increasingly blending, and some emperors seeing the religion as a unifying force. The pivotal moment came in the early 4th century when Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan (313 AD) and eventually adopted it as the state religion. This transformation reflected broader societal changes, including the decline of paganism, the desire for unity within the empire, and the growing influence of the Christian church in political and social matters.