About this video

• Video Title: How Christianity Divided the Roman Empire | Colosseum
• Channel: HISTORY
• Speakers: NARRATOR, SIMON MONTEFIORE, NICOLA DENZEY LEWIS, TOM MUELLER, ALISON FUTRELL, ROBERT CARGILL, NICOLA LEWIS, SHELLEY P. HALEY
• Duration: 00:09:37

Overview

This video explores the early conflict between the Roman Empire and Christianity, focusing on the persecution of Christians and the concept of martyrdom. It highlights how the unwavering faith of Christians, even in the face of brutal executions in venues like the Colosseum, confounded the Romans and, paradoxically, contributed to the spread of Christianity. The narrative centers on the story of Ignatius of Antioch, a Christian leader executed in Rome, and his letters that provide a firsthand account of his beliefs and willingness to die for them.

Key takeaways

• Roman Empire at its Peak: Under Emperor Trajan in 107 AD, the Roman Empire reached its greatest territorial extent, spanning 2 million square miles and encompassing 50 million subjects with diverse religions.
• Rise of Christianity: A spiritual movement originating around Jerusalem began to gain momentum across the empire, with its numbers steadily growing.
• Christianity as a Threat: The Romans perceived Christianity as a threat because its beliefs challenged Roman conceptions of power, authority, and social order, viewing adherence to it as sedition.
• Martyrdom in the Colosseum: Prominent Christians, like Ignatius of Antioch, were executed in public spectacles, often by being fed to wild beasts in the Colosseum, a practice intended to serve as a deterrent.
• Ignatius's Letters: Ignatius of Antioch wrote seven letters while imprisoned, detailing his willingness to face a violent death as a martyr, drawing parallels to the sacrifice of Christ and believing his martyrdom would aid the spread of the gospel.
• Roman Bewilderment at Martyrdom: The Romans were perplexed by the Christians' unwavering faith and even joy in the face of torture and death, a phenomenon that contrasted sharply with their own societal norms.
• Martyrdom as a Catalyst: The steadfastness of martyrs like Ignatius, who willingly accepted their fate, intrigued observers and encouraged them to question Christianity, ultimately contributing to its expansion.

Here are the key takeaways from the video in bullet points:

• Roman Empire's Zenith: Under Emperor Trajan (107 AD), Rome was at its peak in terms of territory (2 million square miles) and population (50 million), encompassing diverse religions.
• Christianity's Growth: A spiritual movement, originating near Jerusalem, was spreading throughout the empire and increasing in numbers.
• Roman Perceptions of Christianity: Romans viewed Christianity as a destabilizing force that undermined their social structure and authority. Disrespect to the emperor and Roman state was considered sedition, punishable by death.
• Public Executions as Deterrents: Christians were often subjected to public executions, such as being thrown to lions in the Colosseum, to instill fear and deter others.
• Ignatius of Antioch's Martyrdom: Ignatius, a Christian leader, was arrested and brought to Rome to be executed by lions. He wrote letters detailing his acceptance of this fate, seeing it as a way to emulate Christ and spread the faith.
• The Power of Christian Martyrdom: The unwavering faith and willingness of Christians like Ignatius to die for their beliefs were baffling to the Romans.
• Martyrdom as a Spreading Agent: The steadfast and even joyful demeanor of martyrs in the face of death caused Romans to question their beliefs, paradoxically aiding the growth of Christianity.
• Literal vs. Metaphorical "Thrown to the Lions": The phrase "thrown to the lions" was a literal punishment in Roman times, meaning individuals were actually fed to the beasts, unlike its modern metaphorical usage.