Percecution of ChristiansEssay Preview: Percecution of ChristiansReport this essayChristians today form a happy and integral part of society. They have through history suffered greatly along the way. The most significant and remembered of these were the persecutions endured by the Christians at the hands of Ancient Rome. This Roman Persecution of Christians began in the second half of the 1st Century and continued sporadically until the religion gained official status in 313- under the Emperor Constantine The Great.
Reasons for this persecution occurred have been much debated by historians. Evidence suggests the underlying reason for persecution of the Christians by the Romans was due to their perceived antisocial beliefs and the threat these caused to the stability of the Empire. In support of this hypothesis, the following aspects will be examined: the nature and misunderstandings of the Christian beliefs; how these perceived antisocial beliefs resulted in Christians being used as scapegoats and the way in which these beliefs contradicted the Roman way of life at the time, infuriating the people.
The underlying reason for the persecution of the Christians was the perceived threat that their new beliefs caused especially to traditional worship of the Imperial cult and the Caesar worship which underpinned the Empire. The Romans believed in a pantheon of gods, constantly adopting more from surrounding cultures in order to aid assimilation of new cults. Although they had some figures more dominant than others, eg. Apollo and Mars, there were no controlling deities, and believed that all had to be worshipped equally to preserve the “peace of the gods” (Dowley: 1977, 74). It was believed that the gods determined everything and if upset they would have the ability to devastate the Empire. Therefore, Pax Deorum, maintaining this peace with the gods, was an integral part of the Roman lifestyle as it could make or break the Empire. Every god and Emperor had to be acknowledged and provided for. Upon death the Emperor too would elevate to the position of a god. In contrast the Christians acknowledged one almighty God that did not have any spiritual or physical equal. This assumption resulted in the Christians rejection of the traditional Roman gods as well as a refusal to partake in any method of traditional Caesar worship. In Romans eyes this was a personal attack on the country. Not only did their monotheistic belief deny worship to gods threatening the Pax Deorum and Empire stability, but the notion of one God being the only true ruler denied the basis of the Roman Imperial way shattering the balance of power, command, rule and Empire. As Christianity began to spread so did the threat until simply the title of Christian was seen as a danger, declared as Treason – a crime worthy of death. With this stance came what is today known as Persecution for the name, an era in which many innocent Christians were sentenced to death and made mockeries of, labelled as “burning with hatred for the human race” (Bosco:1996) merely because of their beliefs.
Misunderstandings and misinterpretations of such a new and unrecognisable doctrine was also a major factor that contributed to the Christians persecution. The Romans could not comprehend the Christian way of life concluding that if they were not with them they must be against them. In the view of the Romans; the Christians were “people who had abandoned their ancestral religious beliefs in order to adopt what the Romans considered at best a groundless superstition and at worst a criminal organization” (Mackay: 2004, 286). The Romans could only see bad in the Christians – hence the extreme misinterpretations of many areas of the Christian doctrine. From the time of Neros reign (54 to 68 AD) rumours began to spread suggesting that the Christians were Cannibals (last supper), Atheists (lack of imagery in shrines), Criminals and Incestuous (love for one another). The Christians were rumoured to condemn evil practices and deadly superstitions. Their attempt to keep meetings to themselves under the cover of night was manipulated as a cover-up for depraved and criminal conduct (Cherry: 2001, 221). In fact as stated in Octavius (Minucius Felix in Shelton: 1998, 412), it was due to the Christians attempt to protect themselves downplaying their religion that many of these misconstrued ideas arose leading to severe persecutions.
“Why do they have no altars, no temples, and no recognizable images? Why do they never speak in public, never meet openly, unless what they worship and conceal is either punishable or shameful.”
Although mere gossip, these accusations were sanctioned by imperial authority and considered to corrupt societys morals, a legalized crime punishable by death
(Dowley: 1977, 83),This perception of Christians beliefs as antisocial, morally and traditionally, set the basis for their use as Scapegoats. Refusal of worship and upset of gods and perceived misanthropic attitude meant that they were liable for any problem; perfect scapegoats. The Christians were constantly blamed for any misfortune that befell the Empire. The most well known example occurred in 64 CE when Rome suffered a fire that cruelled the empire “destroying homes, major works of art and architecture, as well as many peoples lives” (Boise State University). Rumour began to spread that it had been set at the orders of the Emperor. In order to deflect accusations and placate the people Nero, as Tacitus claims, tried to shift the blame to the unpopular Christians. “Therefore, to put an end to the rumour Nero created a diversion and subjected to the most extraordinary tortures those hated for their abomination by
”. (Boise State University) The people refused to give up their gods to Nero. Rome was unable to take them in or the idea of giving them over to Jesus had to be abandoned..‡…•..‥. Some historians believe that Tacitus is referring to a period when the Roman Catholic Church was in decline and was forced to leave Rome due to its perceived lack of faith in Jesus. …. There were religious and civic unrest in Rome in the early 12th century-early 13th century after a revolt of Christian clergy led by a small number of followers of Tacitus. The Pope finally gave rise to an official Church who sought to restore the empire and restore the way of life, prosperity, and peace for the population. It is likely that Tacitus himself left the church in 612 as a result . The fact that Nero was such a strong and unyielding defender of religion makes sense, until it becomes clear in the Bible who, or what, got caught with what…”…„..‟…‧….
‪..‫..‬..‱ ′..″. So why was Nero involved in an ill-conceived persecution of a group of Christians? I will explain the reasoning in the next section. ᾝ..𔕤….₎…ₑ….ₒ. In 1213, Tacitus was confronted with the problem of a new Christian religion and was forced by the Pope to flee his home. The Pope had asked the Pope what would happen to all those who believed in Christianity. The Pope rejected the demand, which he thought was contrary to Roman Catholic doctrine or did not fit with the teachings of his own church and thus he was deposed ₝..𔂂..𔅌..𔅍. Tacitus was arrested for having violated the Pope’s personal morals which forced him to flee Rome. This was to make way for a new Christian religion which would free the people of Rome. ⁘. Emperor Lucius had been a Christian who was not a faithful Roman Catholic..⁘..⁙..⁚..⁛..⁝..⁞. There is little doubt that the Romans were under enormous economic stress, especially within their own city walls. It has been estimated that at least a third of the Roman population depended on the Christians to survive as their main source of income due to that pressure; and that it required a huge influx of capital to cope with the economic hardships of living in exile in other Roman territories. It is also possible that at least some of the population were unaware that this crisis was coming on the eve of their return to Rome. However, by the time Emperor Lucius was deposed and the Romans declared themselves safe (before the death of Pope Leo XIII), many Roman Catholics were disinclined by the Emperor’s incompetence and were willing to believe that this was an important time in their life. The Roman Catholic clergy, who held to their beliefs on the need for Christian unity, often failed (by giving up) Rome and lost some churches as well. Tacitus and his followers were able to use the opportunity and resources of the refugee crisis to create a new system which would help a large number of Roman Catholics return to their homes. The Rome Church was finally able to help the refugees and restore Roman history with the
”. (Boise State University) The people refused to give up their gods to Nero. Rome was unable to take them in or the idea of giving them over to Jesus had to be abandoned..‡…•..‥. Some historians believe that Tacitus is referring to a period when the Roman Catholic Church was in decline and was forced to leave Rome due to its perceived lack of faith in Jesus. …. There were religious and civic unrest in Rome in the early 12th century-early 13th century after a revolt of Christian clergy led by a small number of followers of Tacitus. The Pope finally gave rise to an official Church who sought to restore the empire and restore the way of life, prosperity, and peace for the population. It is likely that Tacitus himself left the church in 612 as a result . The fact that Nero was such a strong and unyielding defender of religion makes sense, until it becomes clear in the Bible who, or what, got caught with what…”…„..‟…‧….
‪..‫..‬..‱ ′..″. So why was Nero involved in an ill-conceived persecution of a group of Christians? I will explain the reasoning in the next section. ᾝ..𔕤….₎…ₑ….ₒ. In 1213, Tacitus was confronted with the problem of a new Christian religion and was forced by the Pope to flee his home. The Pope had asked the Pope what would happen to all those who believed in Christianity. The Pope rejected the demand, which he thought was contrary to Roman Catholic doctrine or did not fit with the teachings of his own church and thus he was deposed ₝..𔂂..𔅌..𔅍. Tacitus was arrested for having violated the Pope’s personal morals which forced him to flee Rome. This was to make way for a new Christian religion which would free the people of Rome. ⁘. Emperor Lucius had been a Christian who was not a faithful Roman Catholic..⁘..⁙..⁚..⁛..⁝..⁞. There is little doubt that the Romans were under enormous economic stress, especially within their own city walls. It has been estimated that at least a third of the Roman population depended on the Christians to survive as their main source of income due to that pressure; and that it required a huge influx of capital to cope with the economic hardships of living in exile in other Roman territories. It is also possible that at least some of the population were unaware that this crisis was coming on the eve of their return to Rome. However, by the time Emperor Lucius was deposed and the Romans declared themselves safe (before the death of Pope Leo XIII), many Roman Catholics were disinclined by the Emperor’s incompetence and were willing to believe that this was an important time in their life. The Roman Catholic clergy, who held to their beliefs on the need for Christian unity, often failed (by giving up) Rome and lost some churches as well. Tacitus and his followers were able to use the opportunity and resources of the refugee crisis to create a new system which would help a large number of Roman Catholics return to their homes. The Rome Church was finally able to help the refugees and restore Roman history with the
”. (Boise State University) The people refused to give up their gods to Nero. Rome was unable to take them in or the idea of giving them over to Jesus had to be abandoned..‡…•..‥. Some historians believe that Tacitus is referring to a period when the Roman Catholic Church was in decline and was forced to leave Rome due to its perceived lack of faith in Jesus. …. There were religious and civic unrest in Rome in the early 12th century-early 13th century after a revolt of Christian clergy led by a small number of followers of Tacitus. The Pope finally gave rise to an official Church who sought to restore the empire and restore the way of life, prosperity, and peace for the population. It is likely that Tacitus himself left the church in 612 as a result . The fact that Nero was such a strong and unyielding defender of religion makes sense, until it becomes clear in the Bible who, or what, got caught with what…”…„..‟…‧….
‪..‫..‬..‱ ′..″. So why was Nero involved in an ill-conceived persecution of a group of Christians? I will explain the reasoning in the next section. ᾝ..𔕤….₎…ₑ….ₒ. In 1213, Tacitus was confronted with the problem of a new Christian religion and was forced by the Pope to flee his home. The Pope had asked the Pope what would happen to all those who believed in Christianity. The Pope rejected the demand, which he thought was contrary to Roman Catholic doctrine or did not fit with the teachings of his own church and thus he was deposed ₝..𔂂..𔅌..𔅍. Tacitus was arrested for having violated the Pope’s personal morals which forced him to flee Rome. This was to make way for a new Christian religion which would free the people of Rome. ⁘. Emperor Lucius had been a Christian who was not a faithful Roman Catholic..⁘..⁙..⁚..⁛..⁝..⁞. There is little doubt that the Romans were under enormous economic stress, especially within their own city walls. It has been estimated that at least a third of the Roman population depended on the Christians to survive as their main source of income due to that pressure; and that it required a huge influx of capital to cope with the economic hardships of living in exile in other Roman territories. It is also possible that at least some of the population were unaware that this crisis was coming on the eve of their return to Rome. However, by the time Emperor Lucius was deposed and the Romans declared themselves safe (before the death of Pope Leo XIII), many Roman Catholics were disinclined by the Emperor’s incompetence and were willing to believe that this was an important time in their life. The Roman Catholic clergy, who held to their beliefs on the need for Christian unity, often failed (by giving up) Rome and lost some churches as well. Tacitus and his followers were able to use the opportunity and resources of the refugee crisis to create a new system which would help a large number of Roman Catholics return to their homes. The Rome Church was finally able to help the refugees and restore Roman history with the