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Western Civilization: Ideas, Politics, and Society, Seventh Edition
Marvin Perry, Baruch College, City University of New York, Emeritus
et al.
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| | Using Primary Sources
Chapter 8: Early Christianity
Martyrdom and the Conversion of an Empire- The persecution of early Christians by the Romans is one of the most vivid and enduring images of the late Empire. And, indeed, Christians faced sporadic and sometimes brutal persecution up until the early fourth century A.D. From that point on, however, Christianity experienced a period of rapid growth in power and prestige. By 392 Christianity had become the state religion of the Empire and the worship of pagan gods had been made illegal. Reread the description of the martyrdom of Blandina in the profile box on pages 180 and 181. When you are finished, write a short essay on the Christianization of the Roman Empire. How did persecution of Christians affect the growth of Christianity? What made the conversion of the Empire possible?
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