Christianity Unites the Roman Empire
In the earliest of days, the Roman Empire was a series of fragmented, warring kingdoms. Yet despite their differences, the Roman people were a people of peace, tradition, and respect. As the Empire progressed through the Early Christian period, its vision of unity blossomed and it became a much stronger and more unified state. Christianity united the Roman Empire not just by religious belief, but also by its spiritual, social, and cultural principles. By bridging gaps between the various people, the united Empire created an expansive network of religious devotion.
The magnificent Roman Empire built by Augustus and other emperors was striking in its ability to unify many ethnicities, cultures and nations. Though unified politically, social and cultural elements of the Empire varied greatly as different regions maintained their own beliefs and customs. Because of the wide range of cultures and ideologies in the Empire, Emperor Constantine turned to Christianity to form a single religious and cultural identity to unite the Roman Empire. Through Christianity the potential of the Roman Empire to be an inclusive and just society was realized.
One of the strongest powers of Christianity was that its message of love could break down cultural and religious divides. Jesus preached that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This unified message of hope and love resonated with people of all faiths and unifying them.The teachings of Jesus Christ, wrote the Roman Senator Lactantius in On the Deaths of the Persecutors of 300 C.E., freed mankind from “errors and shameful worship,” which was a theme echoed by Theodosius then Emperor of Rome. The belief in a single God, that is worshipped by all Christians, extended the unity of Rome beyond its geographical boundaries.
Christianity’s lessons in community and brotherly love provided a sense of peace and order. This promoted social equality and acceptance amongst people. Churches became the primary form of communal life, allowing people to form another level of relationship. Churches provided a place for people to come together for worship, fellowship, and to receive charity. This sense of coming together forged strong spiritual and political bonds that brought people together and provided a stabilization to the Roman Empire.
In addition to the spiritual element, Christianity also had a profound effect on Rome’s culture and society. Education, something Roman culture had previously lacked, blossomed with the encouragement of Christianity. Conversion to the faith brought a newfound passion to learn the Bible, to read, and to write. The writings of early Christian scholars such as Augustine of Hippo and Origen greatly expanded the intellectual and philosophical landscape of the Roman Empire.
Civilization as a whole also benefitted from the adoption of Christianity. Pagan temples were turned into chapels and groups of dedicated professionals, known as clergy, dedicated themselves to the spread of Christianity and the education of the masses. From hospitals to shelters, the foundations of modern society were built on the foundations of the Christian faith. Furthermore, the rise of Christianity brought the idea of a global community which allowed for the spread of ideas, ideologies, and technology.
Social and Political Impact
The rise of Christianity strengthened the empire politically due to the spread of one accepted faith and one accepted cultural order. This included ideals of justice, mercy and forbearance. Christianity also allowed people of different cultures and backgrounds to accept each other better and to connect with each other in a wider sense.Tolerance and acceptance of others became far more prevalent throughout the empire, allowing new relationships to be formed, and more ideas and inventions to be shared. Over time, the unity that Christianity brought among the people of the empire would become much more secure.
The empire was further strengthened by the acceptance of Christianity as its official religion. The Edict of Milan, issued by Emperor Constantine in 313 C.E., granted freedom of religion in the Roman Empire, publicly recognizing Christianity as a legal religion. This edict effectively granted the new faith social and political status, allowing it to impact more areas of life. As a result, Christianity was no longer seen as a practice of spiritual devotion and meditation, rather it became a part of the Roman imperial culture.
The Christian Faith also became a unifying force for the Roman Empire due to its fundamental message of charity and kindness. This message of charity was effective in unifying the people, who were able to see that Christian values were a positive force. This message transcended social boundaries, binding the people in a collective and common belief system. As a result, the Roman Empire, united under the Christian faith, and faith grew in the hearts of the people.
Cultural Impact
Christianity also brought about a profound transformation of culture. One of the results of the adoption of Christianity was an entire change in the way people thought, talked and lived. The teachings of Jesus and the principles of the Christian faith manifested themselves in new forms of art, music, literature, and education. The lives of the people of the empire were transformed by the acceptance of Christianity. Roman art evolved, with themes of mercy and charity being predominant among Christian art and aesthetics, and this point of view also shaped architecture and sculpture.
Another effect of Christianity on the culture of the Roman Empire was the standardization of faith and practices. Through the acceptance of Christianity, various cultures were able to accept each other, and syncretic religions developed. This enabled believers to incorporate different traditions from the past, but still maintain a core Christian identity. The Roman Empire gained a large amount of cultural diversity through the acceptance of Christianity and its many underlying values.
Economic Impact
Christianity also had a large economic impact on the Roman Empire. By unifying the people under one faith, the empire was able to transfer trade and economic exchange easier. The emergence of churches and monasteries enabled the people to worship and to help their fellow man. This new infrastructure allowed the people to be better fed and provided with healthcare. Furthermore, this gave the Roman Empire a more stable economy, allowing them to build more roads, aqueducts, and public works.
Christianity also provided a sense of stability as the rules and regulations of the new faith allowed people to trust each other more. This allowed more businessmen to emerge, leading to a more prosperous and swift economy. In addition, the end of pagan worship allowed the abandonment of pagan customs which led to the abandonment of usury and the elimination of costly religious rituals. Ultimately, this provided more resources for the empire, allowing for the growth and expansion of economic activities.
Intellectual Impact
The influence of Christianity also manifested itself in an intellectual sense, as the acceptance of the faith led to the growth in knowledge. This came in the form of the many schools and universities which developed to advance the Christian faith. As the empire saw the need to spread the faith, the clergy had to first understand the faith they were attempting to spread. This led to the development of many scholars in fields such as linguistics, philosophy and theology. This encouraged many to comment and develop theories on these topics, leading to the development of science and profound advances in the understanding of reality.
Furthermore, the rise of Christianity also prompted the growth of literature, with writers such as Ulfila translating the Bible into the Gothic language. This advancement in literature then set the precedence for further translation of the Bible into localized vernacular which allowed the teachings of Jesus to be spread not just to Europe, but also to the rest of the world. The acceptance of Christianity in the Roman Empire enabled its teachings to spread, ultimately leading to a growth in knowledge and understanding.
Conclusion
As there is no doubt that Christianity had a profound impact on the Roman Empire. It united the Empire spiritually, socially, politically, and economically. The immense power of Christian unity and its inclusive message enabled the Roman Empire to bridge cultural, social, and political divides. Furthermore, its teachings and principles helped to shape the culture and society of the time. The rise of Christianity also enabled the rise of knowledge, allowing the people to uncover the depths of the Christian faith, enabling them to better spread the word throughout the world. Thus, Christianity played a major role in uniting the Roman Empire.
