Was Christianity used to pacify the Romans?

[The Hammer]

Sometimes I think the Christian religion was created or at least used for the purpose of pacifying the Romans.

When Christianity came to Rome, the empire was at it's peak. The Roman civilization was far more advanced than any other an their legions were virtually invincible.

But as more and more Romans became Christians, the empire declined and non-Christian barbarians like the Goths eventually defeated and occupied Rome.

Was the "love thy enemies" doctrine one of the reasons for the decline of the Roman empire?

[squealpiggy]

No, Christianity was paganised to pacify the Christians!

[~AK49~]

Historical cherrypicking ftw!

[Ta Khent]

It was a political ruse orchestrated by your boy Constantine.

[Capaedia]

Rome was long past its best BEFORE they adopted Christianity.

Nothing lasts forever, the Romans had a very good run but they slowly stagnated in their decadence, then gave way to newer powers and forces.

If that sounds familiar, it should, it pretty much happens to every major power.

I very much doubt that Jesus had that idea in mind when he uh, did his Jesus stuff and all (for lack of a better term). I think he truly believed he was the son of god.

It's not too farfetched that one man will say he is the son of god and others will latch on to him and make a religion out of it, is it? It still happens to this day.

Was the "love thy enemies" doctrine one of the reasons for the decline of the Roman empire?

I recommend you ask Belisarius about that one. Perhaps Basil the Bulgar Slayer.

Both very successful conquerors in the later, Christian stage of the Roman Empire. Belisarius almost restored the core of the old Roman Empire under Justinian.



No lovin' there.

[squealpiggy]

It's important to remember that the Holy Roman Empire endured for over a thousand years after Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Empire. True, the Western Roman Empire collapsed some 150 or so years after the Council of Nicaea, but there again the British Empire in its totality only really lasted from 1583 until 1914 or a total of ~330 years before the First World War marked its end. By the council of Nicaea the Roman Empire was already 350 years old. Add to that the remarkable fact that Rome did not become an Empire until it had existed for 500 years as a republic! If you account for the republic beforehand Rome existed as an empire in all but name for nearly 2000 years. That's pretty impressive.

[jaded]

It was a political ruse orchestrated by your boy Constantine.

This...it was an attempt to reunite the fledgling Roman Empire by Constantine.

[Capaedia]

It's important to remember that the Holy Roman Empire endured for over a thousand years after Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Empire. True, the Western Roman Empire collapsed some 150 or so years after the Council of Nicaea, but there again the British Empire in its totality only really lasted from 1583 until 1914 or a total of ~330 years before the First World War marked its end. By the council of Nicaea the Roman Empire was already 350 years old. Add to that the remarkable fact that Rome did not become an Empire until it had existed for 500 years as a republic! If you account for the republic beforehand Rome existed as an empire in all but name for nearly 2000 years. That's pretty impressive.

Do you mean the Eastern Roman Empire?

[VirusTI]

It changed the plebeian mindset from destiny(acceptance to you birth, pagan notion), to the Christian "after life" notion. So all the weak naturally flew to Christianity. In turn eventually destroying the mighty pagan empire and poisoning Europe( and the world) for the next 2,000 years.

[Capaedia]

It changed the plebeian mindset from destiny(acceptance to you birth, pagan notion), to the Christian "after life" notion. So all the weak naturally flew to Christianity. In turn eventually destroying the mighty pagan empire and poisoning Europe( and the world) for the next 2,000 years.

Rome was already sliding by the time Christianity gained any momentum anywhere. Just like every empire before them and every empire since. They were nothing special in that regard, they didn't need some almighty catalyst to start the collapse.

The Vatican alone had a huge part in the evolution of education systems. As well as the survival of Greek and Roman literature (science, drama, philosophy, e.t.c.)

Two very key things to what has become Europe.

It bought plenty of evils too, few will dispute that. But it is safe to say that it is a lot less simple than how you put it.

Less angsty too.