Title: Christianity and paganism in the fourth to eighth centuries
First published: 1997
Description: Ramsay MacMullen investigates the transition from paganism to Christianity between the fourth and eighth centuries. He reassesses the triumph of Christianity, contending that it was neither tidy nor quick, and he shows that the two religious systems were both vital during an interactive period that lasted far longer than historians have previously believed.

MacMullen explores the influences of paganism and Christianity upon each other. In a rich discussion of the different strengths of the two systems, he demonstrates that pagan beliefs were not eclipsed or displaced by Christianity but persisted or were transformed. The victory of the Christian church, he explains, was one not of obliteration but of widening embrace and assimilation.

This fascinating book also includes new material on the Christian persecution of pagans over the centuries through methods that ranged from fines to crucifixion; the mixture of motives in conversion; the stubbornness of pagan resistance; the difficulty of satisfying the demands and expectations of new converts; and the degree of assimilation of Christianity to paganism.
Subjects: Religion, Roman, Christianity and other religions, Church history, Primitive and early church, Christendom, Heidendom, Interfaith relations, Christianity, Romans, Riten, History, Christianity and culture, Relations, Evangelistic work, Paganism, Church history, primitive and early church, ca. 30-600, Rome, religion, Church history--primitive and early church, ca. 30-600, Paganism--relations--christianity, Christianity and culture--history, Christianity and culture--history--early church, ca. 30-600, Evangelistic work--history, Evangelistic work--history--early church, ca. 30-600, Christianity and other religions--roman--history, Christianity and other religions--roman, Christianity--history, Religion--relations--christianity, Br170 .m33 1997, 270.2
Places: Rome
Time periods: Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600
LC classification: BR170 .M33 1997