What was the Roman empire's views on Christianity at various points in its history? What caused them to change over time?
The Roman Empire's views on Christianity evolved at various points in its history. Initially, during the early years of Christianity, the Roman authorities viewed the religion with suspicion and persecution. This was largely due to Christianity's refusal to worship the Roman pantheon of gods, which was an integral part of the Roman state and society. Christians were seen as a threat to the stability and unity of the empire.
The first major persecution of Christians occurred under Emperor Nero in the 1st century AD. It was sporadic and localized, but it set the stage for subsequent waves of repression. From the 2nd to the early 4th century, Christians faced intermittent persecution under various emperors, although the extent varied depending on the ruler's attitudes and policies.
However, there were also moments of tolerance. Emperor Constantine, who converted to Christianity himself, issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which granted religious freedom to Christians and ended the state-sanctioned persecution. Christianity became an officially recognized religion in the empire, and churches were supported and constructed.
Another significant turning point was the reign of Emperor Theodosius I in the late 4th century. He declared Christianity as the state religion in 380, effectively banning other religions. This marked a complete reversal of the empire's earlier stance towards Christianity.
Several factors influenced these changes in the Roman Empire's views on Christianity. Firstly, the growth and spread of Christianity played a role. As the religion gained more followers and began to permeate different strata of society, it became increasingly difficult to suppress it entirely.
Secondly, the conversion of influential individuals, such as Constantine, had a profound impact on the empire's perception of Christianity. When an emperor embraced the religion, it inevitably led to a shift in policies and attitudes towards Christians.
Lastly, the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire itself had an impact on the status of Christianity. As the empire faced numerous internal and external challenges, Christianity emerged as a unifying force and provided a sense of identity and stability. This made it more appealing to both the ruling elites and the general population.
Overall, Christianity's growth, conversions of influential figures, and the changing dynamics of the Roman Empire contributed to a gradual shift from persecution to acceptance and eventually state sponsorship of the religion.