Should The Roman Empire Persecuted Christians For Ideological Reasons?

Before the middle ages, the spread of Christianity to Europe was complicated and it was accompanied with a number of persecution acts by the Roman Empire. There is a question that whether the Roman Empire persecuted Christians for ideological reasons or not. It is apparent that in that period of time, Christianity has been approached as a threat by Roman religion which has performed a major role in the development of the Roman Empire (Wasson, 2013). So, the persecutions of Christians were accompanied with different types of torture. However, historical sources show that these persecutions have not decelerated the spread of Christianity (Apology, 197 A.D.). In order to answer the question whether the Roman Empire persecuted Christians for ideological reasons or not, it would be better to analyze the historical sources such as the Roman state’s response to the interdictions of the cult of Bacchus in 186 B.C (Livy). From this source, it becomes apparent that the state criticizes the ceremonies which are held at night together men and women and . And the Senate decides that there should be no Bacchic festivals; however, puts a point that the ceremony can be held in case of granted permission at a meeting
Firstly, Tertullian mentions the hope for peace and claims that Christianity is not against the emperors and ministers. After, he criticizes the cruelties which made by the Roman Empire to the Christians and threathens that the more they are cut down by the state, the more they grow in number (Apology, 197 A.D.). One of the main point in this source is emphasize of funding money and supporting the poor instead of spending on feasts and drinking parties which non-Christians do, according to Tertullian. To my mind, this information shows us that there is huge difference between Christian and Roman culture which creates ideological