What was the Roman empire's views on Christianity at various points in its history? What caused them to change over time? (4 points)
There was not a singular attitude toward Christianity throughout the history of the Roman Empire. The views on Christianity evolved over time due to a variety of factors.
1. Early persecution: In the early years of Christianity, Roman authorities viewed it as a threat to their traditional beliefs and practices. This led to sporadic persecutions of Christians, such as under Emperor Nero in the first century.
2. Edict of Milan: In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine and Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan, which granted religious tolerance to all religions, including Christianity. This marked a turning point in Roman attitudes toward Christianity, as it was no longer actively persecuted.
3. Adoption as state religion: In 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius I declared Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire. This further solidified Christianity's place in Roman society and led to the widespread conversion of the population.
4. Decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire: As the Roman Empire began to decline in the 4th and 5th centuries, Christianity played a significant role in shaping the culture and society of the time. Eventually, Christianity became the dominant religion in Europe, with the Catholic Church playing a major role in the medieval period.