Did Christianity Cause The Fall of The Roman Empire?
The historian Edward Gibbon believed that Christianity bore the ultimate responsibility for the fall of the Roman Empire. However, during the third century, the Romans were well on their way to destroying themselves.
Ultimately, the Christians may have disrupted the foundations of the Roman Empire; however their actions hardly destroyed the Romans as Edward Gibbons had implied. The empire was on the decline well before Christianity was becoming a dominant force. However, Edward Gibbons believed that Christianity had refuted the fact that Rome was founded by the gods, and would reign over the earth forever. If you look at the economics, politics, and social conditions of the empire during the third century you will see exactly what impact, or lack there of the Christians had.
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From 235-284, the Roman Empire was engaging in civil war. Contenders for the throne bribed soldiers to become the next emperor. Although, out of 22 emperors, there were only two that didn’t meet with a violent or deadly demise.
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At the same time, Sassanid Persians were invading Rome and Valerian was captured and held in captivity until he died. German tribes were flooding into the empire, disrupting boundaries by moving into Greece and Asia minor. Aurelian tried to restore the empire by building new walls, however war and invasions had already taken their toll on the government. So where were the Christians at this time and what impact were they having? They weren’t present, nor did they have a hand in the invasions and civil war. However, Gibbons, if he were still alive would have probably placed a secret Christian sect at the hearth of the civil wars and invasions.
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Economically, farm production was deteriorating as fields were ravaged by barbarians and by Romes own armies. The Romans confiscated produce and livestock from farmers, therefore they themselves directly contributed to the failing economy. Gold coins were disappearing from circulation, while silver was being diluted causing inflation. To put it simply, the economy was being depleted by invasions and social issues, excluding religions that were monotheistic and were hardly having an impact of the fall at the time. However, it is quite possible that Gibbons would have said that the Christians brought the plague upon the soldiers of the Roman army; however that’s hardly a strong argument and we know that’s not a possibility.
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With the shortage of soldiers from the affects of the plague, barbarians were recruited to fight under Roman commanders. The barbarians had no understanding of Roman tradition and they had no attachment to the empire or the rulers. Even though Christians didn’t recognize state gods and the imperial authority, they hardly affected the security of the state like those of the barbarians during the third century. Furthermore, Christianity was seen as tolerable at the time, so it had not direct impact at this particular time in the Empire.
The Christian Martyrs’ Last Prayer, by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1883). Roman Colosseum.
Taking into account that the transformation of the Roman Empire during the third century was economically, politically, and socially destroying the system, it was hardly believable that Christianity was a major contributing factor for the fall. Although, Gibbons might disagree considering his ideals about disruption of the empire and the Christians hand in it. The fact is, when Christianity was evolving it was really just a distraction rather than a factor of destruction.
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User Comments
Teves
On October 29, 2009 at 10:58 am
Very nice information provided…
Pls read my article and leave a comment. Thanks!
http://authspot.com/poetry/heaven-37/
ken bultman
On October 29, 2009 at 11:58 am
I agree with your consensus. Excellent article. I suspect hedonism played a roled in the fall of the Roman Empire much in the manner it plays in the fall of individual empires.
Will Gray
On October 29, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Great article! I learned a lot.
Lostash
On October 29, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I’m not an expert on the Roman Empire, but I enjoyed your piece Lauren! I think Christianity causes more damage these days!
Vikram Chhabra
On October 29, 2009 at 4:44 pm
History is always written by the victors, as they say. I am sure that things are not always as we are told. This article was great Lauren. It touched on a topic that has defined western civilization as we know it and definitely needs more research such as this article performs!!!
Ruby Hawk
On October 29, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Great topic an lots of interesting information, well done.
Eunice Tan
On October 30, 2009 at 12:11 am
Thanks for interesting info. In the beginning I’m confused between Roman Empire and Holy Roman Empire.
CaSundara
On October 30, 2009 at 11:36 am
Very interesting, as usual. I’ve decided to study Classical Civilisations at A-level so no doubt this info will come in handy there.
Lauren Axelrod
On October 30, 2009 at 12:10 pm
@Eunice
The Holy Roman Empire really evolved during the Middle ages when Otto was crowned emperor.
@Casundra
I don’t think I’m surprised by your choice considering your love of ancient civilizations, with the added influence of theology.
Diverseblogger
On October 30, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Great piece! Keep up the great work
B Nelson
On October 30, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Roman Emperor Constantine, was a pagan, yet he often pretended to be Christian, and is the one who set the day of worship for Christians from Saturday to Sunday. It is argued when (if at all) he really did convert to Christianity, although he is the one credited with compiling the Bible.
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas
On October 31, 2009 at 11:05 am
Interesting and informative piece.
Lauren Axelrod
On October 31, 2009 at 2:16 pm
What I find even more interesting is the fact that Christians worshiped in private and secret areas at this time. It was quite bizarre. Almost like they were hiding something.
Auron Renius
On October 31, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Very interesting piece
eThib
On October 31, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I think the only thing they were ‘hiding’ Lauren, was themselves. You know..fed to lions, crucified, tied together and set aflame for light at some Roman festival.
edmuse22
On November 1, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Hi
I will try again to read his book I seem to only be able to read the first two chapters.
The little bit of history I had to study went with the barbarian invation theory.
Gibbon’s originated the barbarian theory as far as I know. He first wrote about it about three hundred years ago, in the classic, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. This book is still selling today. However, he also seemed to think that the Christians contributed to the fall as they were more interested in the life here after and didn\’t want to sacrifice for the Emperor in the present life any longer.
According to Wikipedia, Gibbons actually saw the Praetorian Guard, who abused their position as soldiers, as the start of the decline of Rome.
Lauren Axelrod
On November 1, 2009 at 2:52 pm
@eThib
When it actually came to these sacrificial festivals, they were more than willing to die for their faith. That’s all well and good for them, although their ideals of being martyrs for a faith that should stand on it’s own goes against present teachings in many monasteries. It certainly went against the ideals even during the Middle Ages. At least, that’s what was believed by the monks and the nuns.
@edmuse22
I have only read his first few chapters as well. It’s complicated and quite in depth, but interesting.
thestickman
On November 1, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Great point this. Likewise, former President Ronald Reagan is widely given credit for helping bring-down the Soviet Union by his tactic of outspending them in military preparedness and perhaps in the first sixth months he stabbed a few injurious blows, the Soviet Union was already gasping it’s last breathes and would have collapsed anyway. All Reagan did was run up the national deficit (and greatly improve our military readiness, for which we are still thankful.)
I see parallels to your article and the early 1980s Reagan Administration.
Great article, L!
-thestickman
Glynis Smy
On November 2, 2009 at 2:30 am
Another interesting and informative piece from you Lauren, thanks.
Patrick Bernauw
On November 2, 2009 at 4:14 am
Good article… as always!
Jonathan Greenleaf
On November 2, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I always agreed with Gibbon that Severus’ reign was the pivotal turning point – this quote was quite damning:
“The contemporaries of Severus in the enjoyment of the peace and glory of his reign, forgave the cruelties by which it had been introduced. Posterity, who experienced the fatal effects of his maxims and example, justly considered him as the principal author of the decline of the Roman Empire.”
pg 159 History of the decline and fall of the Roman empire, Volume 4
kate smedley
On November 2, 2009 at 1:20 pm
There’s also a theory (I think it may be Gibbon that suggested it but echoed by Jean Jacques Rousseau ‘The Noble Savage’) that the Romans lost their edge through becoming so self-indulgent and were then easily defeated by a firey tribe like the Celts. Excellent article Lauren, I studied the Enlightenment for a year and love all of this..
Brian Daniel Stankich
On November 4, 2009 at 9:46 am
Appreciate the history reminder/lesson. Suggesting that Christians as a movement affected anything is pretty funny. The real question Gibbon may have overlooked is what affect did individual Christians or small groups have upon key people in the empire that shaped the downfall. There was no central or organized movement of Christians back then so any overiding influence would have come in pockets here and there. For example, who shared the gospel with Constantine and what were the Christian influences on his life. Nice essay, Lauren. Brian
Brian Daniel Stankich
On November 4, 2009 at 9:50 am
After reading the comments…I think it is important to differentiate among different kinds of ‘martyrs.’ Christians weren’t lining up at the forums saying “please kill us for our faith.” In contrast, crazy extremist Muslims with their suicide bombs, do. There is a big difference and we should be careful who we call a martyr. We admire the early century Christians, not because they died willingly, but because their spirit in death was remarkably joyful, an evidence of true faith.
Joe Dorish
On November 4, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Agree with you Lauren, the Christians did not bring down the Roman Empire the Romans have themselves to blame for that. I’ve tried to read all the Great Books of the Western World but The Decline and Fall was just too much information going nowhere to hold my interest.
Janet Meyer
On November 10, 2009 at 4:40 pm
A very interesting article. I certainly enjoyed the read.
Janet Meyer
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