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Within limits, the Roman Empire was a place of religious tolerance. Conquered peoples were permitted to continue worshipping their traditional gods, as long as they also paid homage to the Roman gods.

A special exemption for the Jews, so that they did not have to worship the Roman gods, was made in deference to their monotheism and their belief in the great antiquity of the Jewish faith. During much of the first century, Christianity was considered a sect of Judaism and therefore subject to the same exemption.

After the late-first-century break with Judaism, Christianity was no longer afforded the privileges of Judaism. However, about 112, Trajan said that Christians were not to be sought out for punishment, and if they came up in court they were to be given the opportunity of clearing themselves by formal denial, no matter how compromising their previous conduct may have been - so long as they also offer up the required prayers to the Roman Gods.

There were two brief periods of official persecution of Christians in the third century, but these are said to have resulted more from concerns about Christian loyalty to the emperor, than concerns about their religion. Religious tolerance ended in the fourth century, with first the Christians subject to persecution, then the pagans becoming the targets of persecution.

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Yes, The Romans tolerated the religions and the customs of the conquered people. They could not have managed to control their vast empire without this kind of policy. They also allowed the conquered peoples to use their customary laws at the local level.

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Q: Was the Roman Empire traditionally a place of religious tolerance?
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What event happened in 312 AD that sped up the growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire?

Constantine established religious tolerance.


Did people get married in churches in the roman empire?

No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.


Was Christianity brought to Europe by the roman empire?

No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.


What did the religion of Augustus contribute to the Roman Empire?

Augustus continued the polytheistic religious observance observed within the Empire.


How did cultural diffusion change the Roman Catholic Empire?

Cultural diffusion played a significant role in shaping the Roman Catholic Empire. As the empire expanded, it came into contact with various cultures and religions, leading to the assimilation and incorporation of different beliefs and practices into Roman Catholicism. This resulted in the adoption of new religious rituals, artistic styles, and architectural influences, ultimately transforming the empire's cultural and religious landscape.

Related questions

What event happened in 312 AD that sped up the growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire?

Constantine established religious tolerance.


What happen in a.d 313?

Emperor Constantine the Great granted religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire which ended the persecutions against the Christians.


Did people get married in churches in the roman empire?

No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.No, because there were no churches in the Roman empire, or at least not until the Byzantine stage of the empire. An ancient Roman marriage was a civic affair as opposed to the Christian idea of a religious one.


What two desicions did constamtine made after maxentius?

After defeating Maxentius, Constantine made two key decisions. First, he declared the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, granting religious tolerance to Christians within the Roman Empire. Second, he shifted the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople, which eventually became the new seat of power for the Eastern Roman Empire.


Was Christianity brought to Europe by the roman empire?

No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.No, Christianity was brought to Europe by the disciples of Christ. The Roman empire served as a vehicle for the spread of the religion due to its peace, good roads, safe travel and the Roman tolerance for foreign cults.


What is Gwens Stefani's religious preferance?

Gwen Stefani is traditionally Roman Catholic.


What did constatine establish?

Contantine declared the "Edict of Milan" which declared religious tolerance of all religions within the Roman Empire. This edict ended roughly 300 years of Christian persecution. He established a residence at Constantinople, which would become the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire for more than 1000 years.


Can Roman art be religious?

By Roman art we usually mean art from the Roman empire. When Emperor Constantine introduced Christianity as state religion, the center of the empire moved to Constantinople. After this we talk about Byzantine art which is mainly religious.


What Roman Emperor was responsible for a major shift in the dominant religious attitude of the Roman Empire?

Constantine, who made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire in 325 AD


What did the edict of Milan proclaim?

The Edict of Milan legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.


What religious climate existed in rome prior to Christianity?

The religious climate in Rome prior to Christianity was characterized by a diverse array of beliefs and practices. The Roman pantheon consisted of numerous gods and goddesses, with the Emperor often being deified. There was also a tolerance for cults and mystery religions from other regions of the empire. Rituals and sacrifices were important components of Roman religious life.


What did the religion of Augustus contribute to the Roman Empire?

Augustus continued the polytheistic religious observance observed within the Empire.