Title: Christianizing the Roman Empire, AD 100-400
Publisher: Yale University Press, U.S.
Year: 1984
ISBN: 0300035426
Format: Softcover
Condition: Excellent.
Weight: 313 g
Dimensions: 16 × 23.5 × 2 cm
A concise yet profound examination of how Christianity moved from a persecuted sect to the dominant faith of the Roman world. In Christianizing the Roman Empire, AD 100–400, eminent historian Ramsay MacMullen explores the social, political, and psychological forces that fueled Christianity’s transformation into a state religion. Critics described this book as 'provocative' and 'gently provocative' because the author posits that the massive conversions to Christianity in late antiquity were not entirely as a result of piety.
Drawing on inscriptions, letters, and contemporary accounts, MacMullen shows how persuasion, conversion, and imperial policy intertwined to reshape the cultural fabric of late antiquity. A foundational work for anyone interested in early Christian history, Roman society, or the dynamics of religious change. Includes an excellent bibliography and author notes.
