The Roman Hijacking of Christianity: A Historical Analysis
The relationship between the Roman Empire and Christianity has always been a complex and contentious issue. Contrary to popular belief, it was not a seamless integration of the two entities but rather a strategic maneuver by the Romans to leverage Christianity for their own political and social benefit.
When and Why Did Rome Adopt Christianity?
Historically, it is not accurate to say that the Romans adopted Christianity. Instead, they hijacked it and transformed it into something fundamentally different from its original intention. Originally, Christianity was intended as a means of freedom from religion and a path to individual enlightenment and moral responsibility. However, the Romans used Christianity to assert their authority and control over their populace, particularly those who did not subscribe to their deification of emperors as gods.
The King of Romance Chooses Christianity
The real question is why the Romans chose Christianity over other religions. One of the primary reasons was that Christianity offered a more permissive lifestyle. Unlike Islam, which does not allow alcohol, Christianity was more accommodating to the secular practices of the Roman elite. This included the consumption of bacon and alcohol, which were integral parts of Roman social life. Therefore, it was a practical choice for the Romans to embrace Christianity, as it allowed them to continue their preexisting cultural and social norms.
Did the Romans Make Christianity the State Religion?
Technically, the Roman Empire never officially made Christianity the state religion. Christianity had already become the majority religion in the cities of the Greek East and North Africa by the time Constantine came to power. Therefore, Constantine's acceptance of Christianity was more of an acknowledgment of a growing reality rather than a strategic move to promote a new state religion.
Significantly, Theodosius I did manage to abolish the old Roman state cult and shut down the temples. However, his actions did not constitute an official endorsement of Christianity as the sole state religion. The imperial court was indeed Christian, but there were also Arians within the Western court. Emperors such as Theodosius and his successors did not make Christianity the official religion of the empire in the way the old pagan Roman state cult had been. Instead, the Church and State remained largely independent institutions, with the exception of imperial involvement in the selection of the patriarch of Constantinople.
Politics and Religion in the Roman Empire
Underlying the question of why the Romans chose Christianity over other religions is a broader issue: the relationship between politics and religion in the Roman Empire. For instance, Julius Caesar had already assumed the title of 'Pontifex Maximus' (High Priest), a symbol of religious authority. The Christian Church later demanded this title for its Pope, Bishop of Rome, suggesting a long-standing tension between ecclesiastical and imperial power.
Both monotheistic Jews and Christians refused to conform to the official polytheism of the Roman Empire, leading to the suppression of these groups. Emperor Augustus put down violent insurrections by the Jews and scattered them across the empire. There was some persecution of Christians, but their religion grew rapidly in cities like Rome and Athens, outpacing its growth in Jerusalem.
Constantine the Great was the first emperor to recognize the potential power of Christianity. By legalizing it, he effectively ended the persecution of Christians and began to harness their influence for his own benefit. Making Christianity the official religion while maintaining the separation between church and state might have been a move meant to address the growing animosity between different Christian sects. When one faction gained the backing of the state, they could repress 'heretic' branches of Christianity.
In conclusion, the adoption of Christianity by the Roman Empire was a strategic and political decision rather than a seamless integration into the fabric of the empire. It was a means for the Romans to assert their authority while allowing for a degree of religious tolerance and social continuation.