The impact of Christianity on Roman society, culture, and politics Whether or not Christianity had a positive or negative impact on Roman society, their culture or politics has been greatly debated. Numerous articles and letters have been extensively written and debated on the subject. Clearly, the point of view can and has been eschewed depending on the author’s background in light of whether they were a Christian or practicing traditional Roman civic polytheism. I intend to show that both sides are in fact correct.
Let’s look at the impact on the society as a whole. Did it change? Were there still the rich and the poor? The answer to the first question is yes, it did in fact change. There was a greater emphasis on morality and chastity …show more content…
This change occurred with the emergence of the Papacy. Once Constantine departed Rome in 324 in order to create a Christian capital, which became known as Constantinople, the leadership fell to Pope. The popes claimed that since Peter was the leader of the apostles, they in turn inherited his leadership role with the keys to the kingdom of God. But with this great power came inherent problems. The persecuted soon became the persecutors and they began to behave just as “emperors” of old. Pagan historian Ammianus Marcellinus made the observation “enriched with offerings from the ladies, riding abroad seated in their carriages, splendidly arrayed, giving banquets so lavish that they surpass the tables of royalty” [Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes ~ Eamon Duffy]. Not only was the outward appearance of the Roman popes taking on Roman flair, the authority to make legal precedents soon would follow and became a major preoccupation of the papacy with the Pope as the supreme lawgiver bestowed upon him with Christ’s authority. Within the administration of the papacy an internal culture arose where staff was solely chosen from the Roman aristocracy. As was routine, the Pope was to be elected by the senior clergy from among the deacons. This was not unlike the rise of some Roman emperors and thus was probably not questioned. Another change was in the political duty of the Roman citizen. The notion of making strides towards getting into the ever better afterlife led to their being less duty towards public service or office and a greater emphasis on one’s self which hampered the overall political unity of
Let’s look at the impact on the society as a whole. Did it change? Were there still the rich and the poor? The answer to the first question is yes, it did in fact change. There was a greater emphasis on morality and chastity …show more content…
This change occurred with the emergence of the Papacy. Once Constantine departed Rome in 324 in order to create a Christian capital, which became known as Constantinople, the leadership fell to Pope. The popes claimed that since Peter was the leader of the apostles, they in turn inherited his leadership role with the keys to the kingdom of God. But with this great power came inherent problems. The persecuted soon became the persecutors and they began to behave just as “emperors” of old. Pagan historian Ammianus Marcellinus made the observation “enriched with offerings from the ladies, riding abroad seated in their carriages, splendidly arrayed, giving banquets so lavish that they surpass the tables of royalty” [Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes ~ Eamon Duffy]. Not only was the outward appearance of the Roman popes taking on Roman flair, the authority to make legal precedents soon would follow and became a major preoccupation of the papacy with the Pope as the supreme lawgiver bestowed upon him with Christ’s authority. Within the administration of the papacy an internal culture arose where staff was solely chosen from the Roman aristocracy. As was routine, the Pope was to be elected by the senior clergy from among the deacons. This was not unlike the rise of some Roman emperors and thus was probably not questioned. Another change was in the political duty of the Roman citizen. The notion of making strides towards getting into the ever better afterlife led to their being less duty towards public service or office and a greater emphasis on one’s self which hampered the overall political unity of