Hmmm didn't Constantine the Great (first Roman emperor to profess Christianity and make it the official religion of the empire for those who might not know) get baptized on his deathbed? Nice way to wash everything at once!
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If I remember correctly he didn't make it the official religion of the empire, he first allowed it and then he promoted it.
I do believe you are correct! The pagan religions continued for quite awhile until the church with the support of later rulers (Theodosius for example) began suppressing pagan places of worship.
Alexandria was hit pretty hard by this.
By converting on his deathbed he signalled a significant degree of approval.
It was only a few short steps from that (a death bed conversion, and life time sympathy) to an officially state sanctioned (and indeed, supported, and enthusiastically endorsed) religion.
I do believe you are correct! The pagan religions continued for quite awhile until the church with the support of later rulers (Theodosius for example) began suppressing pagan places of worship.
Alexandria was hit pretty hard by this.
My recollection (from my reading) was that Justinian had surpassed the pagan schools of philosophy (privately, and apparently with some regret; his Empress, Theodora, - and this was a genuine love match, a partnership of equals - is supposed to have argued that they be allowed to continue).
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It seems this thread is off the rails, and it served the purpose that the OP intended - closing
It seems this thread is off the rails, and it served the purpose that the OP intended - closing
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