Religions of Greece and Rome: Christianity, diffusion and opposition
- Trace and explain the main causes of the rise of Christianity between the Pauline period and the conversion of Constantine. Why did people become Christians?
- What did Graeco-Roman polytheists make of the new sect? How soon was it distinguished from Judaism?
- Why were Christians persecuted? Did the Church Fathers exaggerate the extent and frequency of persecutions? Was Christianity incompatible with e.g. loyalty to the emperor, or with military service?
- Why did some Christians persecute others? How did belief turn into heresy?
[Due Tuesday 12.vi.2007 Complete!]





