HS 475 - Seminar: The Persecution of the Christians in the Roman World

(3.00 cr.)

Prerequisite: One HS 100-level course, one HS 300-level course. An exploration of the causes, nature, and extent of early Christian persecutions until Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in the fourth century. Topics include the Jewish-Greek-Roman environment of early Christianity; Rome's policies toward foreign cults; Christians' reputation for extreme promiscuity and cultic atrocities; comparison with competing cults; the danger of open profession of the new faith; and Christian acceptance of the ancient world. Given the muddled understanding of the early Christian persecutions, we shall examine and dispel the myths and bring some order to the chaos. Written or electronic permission of the instructor. Same course as CL 324 . IC/IM