1.6) What response did the followers of the traditional Roman forms of worship have to the increasing role and organization of the Christian Church? Why do you think they were unable to reclaim their control over Roman religion?
Prior to rise of monotheistic religions, monotheists were often labeled as atheists, as they did not worship or believed in a relationship with a pantheon of gods and goddesses. During the first century C.E., Roman Empire absorbed Judea into its borders. With this, many Jewish ideas and religious concepts began to spread through the empire, especially through the teachings of Apostol Paul. Early Christians soon found themselves in a direct confrontation with the followers of the Cult of Caesar. The Imperial Cult was a mechanism through which the Emperor was deified by the state. Refusing to accept the Emperor as a living god, early Christians were often prosecuted for various crimes. This could be one of the reasons behind Nero's blame of the Christians for the devastating fire in Rome.[1]
Titus took the Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple in the center of the city in 70 C.E., which was the center of Judaic worship and culture. This act destroyed Jewish control and hastened the spread of Christianity through the Empire's elite. During this time, Romans took a direct religious prosecution of Christians, as suggested by the letter from Pliny the Younger to Emperor Trajan. In these letters, Pliny admits to executing Christians after interrogation due to their stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy.[2] Some harsh punishments included mass crucifixions, gladiatorial engagement between gladiators and Christians, and martyrdom. During this time, Christians earned a reputation for welcoming and even celebrating their deaths at the hands of the Romans, fostering the belief that suffering in the name of the God demonstrated piety and faithfulness.[3] Additionally, Romans spread rumors of cannibalism because of the consumption of Christ's body during the last supper, and insets because of Christians' referral to each other as brother and sister. Followers of Judaism also accused Christians of heresy and destruction of Jewish law, and actively demanded Christian prosecution from their Roman govemors.[4]
Growth of Christian community in the Roman Empire was inevitable because the new religion offered many gifts. These gifts were spiritual in nature, promising liberation from sickness, disease, poverty, and individual isolation. Most importantly, it offered an eternal after life.[5] I believe followers of traditional Roman pagan religion were unable to regain control because of the intimate relationship between people and God offered by Christian religion.
[1] Yurto§lu, Nadir. History Studies International Journal of History 10, no. 7 (2018): 241-
- doi:10.9737/hist.2018.658. http://www.historystudies.net/dergillbirinci-dunya-savasinda-bir-asayis-sorunu-sebinkarahisar-ermeni-isyani20181092a4a8f.pdf.
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