This article analyses the legal position of Christian communities in the Roman Empire before the middle of third century CE. It will be argued that the treatment of this group, which has often been... Show moreThis article analyses the legal position of Christian communities in the Roman Empire before the middle of third century CE. It will be argued that the treatment of this group, which has often been marked as unique by both public opinion and academic debate, can only be explained by placing Christianity within the broader societal and administrative framework of the Roman world. A comparison with the treatment of other contemporary religious groups is necessary for a better understanding of the underlying principles and mechanisms that collectively shaped the Roman authorities’ attitudes towards these religious communities. Show less
The legal treatment of Christianity in the Roman world continues to be a source of seemingly endless cultural and historical fascination. At least partially due to numerous well-known stories about... Show moreThe legal treatment of Christianity in the Roman world continues to be a source of seemingly endless cultural and historical fascination. At least partially due to numerous well-known stories about persecution and martyrdom, the idea has persisted that the marginalised position of early Christians was unusual, or even unique, within the otherwise almost proverbially religiously tolerant Roman world. This study aims provide a more nuanced understanding by systematically analysing how early Christians were embedded in, and interacted with, the Roman legal system of the imperial period. It does so in two ways. Firstly, this project is not just concerned with the contents of Roman legal measures, but also with their origins and enforcement. By taking all stages of the legal process into account, it becomes possible to investigate the mechanisms and underlying principles that shaped these measures, and to firmly embed them in their historical context. Secondly, the legal position of Christians is compared to two contemporary religious movements, namely Jewish communities and practitioners of divination. This serves to paint a more comprehensive picture of the legal treatment of religious groups in the Roman world in general, and to more precisely locate early Christianity within the wider religious landscape. Show less
