The Christian Wave: The Unstoppable Advent Of Christianity In Rome

Christianity was established in the First Century CE and threatened to seriously disrupt the Roman sociopolitical construct that had existed since before the inception of the Empire in 27 BCE. Romans authorized the existence of other religions on the condition that the state religion was observed. Christians neglected this condition and undermined the covenant that had existed for hundreds of years. They refused to participate in sacrificial ceremonies, even those that honored the Roman Emperor himself. Finally, Christians advocated for the destruction of the social structure that had prevailed for centuries. The Roman elite feared the Christian movement as it challenged the status quo by violating the social contract, disrespecting the Emperor, and threatening the hierarchical society.

Christianity violated the social contract and challenged the current state of affairs in Rome. Prominent historian Mary Boatwright notes that the practice of personal religion was only permitted alongside participation in the state religion (19). This unwritten yet enforced covenant existed between the Roman government and the private adherents to other religions. However, with the advent of this religion, participation in the state religion dwindled. The Governor of Bithynia, Pliny the Younger, launched a harsh crackdown on Christianity. Pliny wrote to the Emperor, observing that "temples that had been almost abandoned for a long time have begun to be frequented...and [the meat] of sacrificial animals is on sale everywhere, though until recently almost no buyers could be found for it” (99). The direct relationship between the popularity of Christianity and a large absence of religious functions suggests that Christians refused to comply with the social contract of the state. In this dissent, the religion of Jesus undermined the religious norms of Rome generating even more friction with the government.

Christianity even challenged the power of the most powerful Roman, the Emperor himself. The ultimate allegiance in Rome was to the Emperor which is why great sacrifices were made in his honor. However, as Christianity spread across the region, participation in Roman religious ceremonies began to decline as Christians believed that Roman sacrifice and idol worship honored demonic figures, per Gillian Clark (44). Sacrifices in honor of the Emperor were a demonstration of loyalty, and so conversely, not sacrificing suggested not just contempt for the pagan religion but even contempt for the Emperor. Irrespective of whether or not there was a fundamental lack of respect for him, there was certainly a disconnect between the Emperor and the Christians. In an Empire where all fidelity was to the Emperor, Perpetua, a devout Christian martyr, wrote that no one, not even the Emperor, was “established in [their] own power, but God's” (106). In Rome, everyone answers to the Emperor. Everyone. But the Christian answers not to the Emperor but to his God whom the Emperor does not acknowledge.

Thus, it was not long before Christianity became synonymous with institutional change in the Roman social order. Mary Boatwright also noted that the egalitarian nature of the religion made it particularly attractive to disadvantaged citizens (50). There was an increasingly apparent wealth gap in the state that made for an unstable society. Those at the bottom of that construct demanded the systemic alterations that Christianity promoted. On the embracing of the underprivileged, Minucius Felix writes, "They have collected the absolute dregs of society...and have created a rabble of blasphemous conspirators...not for any rite but for profanation” (100). The message of Jesus was especially welcomed by the so-called “dregs of society,” who were in desperate need of hope and purpose. They gravitated toward a faith that promised them dignity and allowed them to transcend the limitations of social status, thereby challenging the existing social establishment.

The fundamental incompatibility between the Roman elite and the Christians stemmed from conflicting views on systemic alteration and put the two at constant odds. The aristocracy desired maintenance of the state of affairs. Christians needed change. In many ways, they threatened to damage the social fabric of Rome. In undermining the social contract, disrespecting the Emperor, and promoting egalitarianism, the Christian subversion of powerful Romans was a threat to the status quo. Throughout this paper, a distinction has been made between all Romans and the Roman "elite." This is particularly relevant as those excluded from the Roman elite were drawn to Christianity. The above essay is a classic case of the elite attempting to guard their privilege against the poor who desperately require amelioration. This is a fight that has been fought across the world and throughout history. A fight that will continue to be fought until true equity exists.