The Ancients Rise of Christianity
5 snips
Jan 4, 2026 
Tristan Hughes chats with Professor Peter Heather, a historian specializing in late antiquity, about the remarkable rise of Christianity from a persecuted minority to a dominant force in the Roman Empire. They delve into Constantine the Great's pivotal role, the Edict of Milan's significance in ending persecution, and the standardization of Christian doctrine through imperial councils. Heather also explores the pragmatic conversions among elites and the gradual Christianization of rural areas, highlighting how emperors shaped ecclesiastical authority and ultimately transformed the religious landscape.
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Fourth Century As Turning Point
- The 4th century transformed Christianity from a small minority into a dominant cultural system across the Roman world.
- This century set processes that shaped Christianity's future global reach.
Why We Have Strong 4th‑Century Sources
- The survival of vast quantities of 4th-century Christian writing gives us an unusually rich record of the transformation.
- Removal of persecution allowed uninterrupted transmission and growth of Christian intellectual centres.
Christianity Was Still Small In 300 AD
- Around 300 AD Christians were a small urban minority, not the 10–20% sometimes claimed.
- Only about one-third of Roman cities had organised Christian communities and countryside penetration was minimal.
