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What concessions were made by Rome towards Christianity and how did Christians accommodate the classical culture...

What concessions were made by Rome towards Christianity and how did Christians accommodate the classical culture of Rome?

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During the rule of Emperor Nero that is in AD 64, the Christians were harassed and tormented as they were wrongly accused of igniting the Great Fire of Rome. Even in the subsequent two to two and half centuries, the Christians were subjected to hostility and meted with oppressive punishment. Extreme forms of torture were perpetrated on them. But in 311 AD Emperor Galerius formulated the 'Edict of Toleration' which provided a relief for the Christians as they were permitted to adhere and follow their religion, but they were still not allowed to own any property. When the Roman Emperor Constantine started to rule over Rome, he bestowed many concessions on the Christians, as he wanted to achieve uncontested authorization and compliance from the masses, comprising the Christians and Romans. He got baptized and thus, Christianity gradually started spreading in Rome. Emperor Constantine also halted the unjust imprisonment and killing of the followers of Christianity. This reformed the status of the Christians in Rome and they were could practice Christianity without fearing repression. This gave rise to the authority of the Church headed by the Emperor. The Church's property which was seized in the past was handed back to them. Emperor Constantine also gave monetary help and bestowed land and property to the Church and created opportunities for the Christians to occupy prominent positions. The Christians were not required to pay taxes. Many Churches were established all over Rome. The practice of crucifixion was strictly prohibited and the holy day of Sunday was declared as a compulsory weekly off. The horrible Gladiator sport, wherein many Christians were publicly killed in the past was banned.

The classic culture of Rome was based on believing and worshiping myriad gods and goddesses. The classic Romans also practiced many rituals and rites. They regularly indulged in the process of sacrifices, which was the dominant ritual of the people of Rome. The Roman religion demanded that the public wholeheartedly worship the Roman Emperor and also the gods and goddess. Their culture was influenced mostly by the culture of Greece, but they also added their own touch. The Roman culture was rich and unique which possessed; the Colosseums and Satire, which were the popular spots for amusement; the presence of unique aqueducts, which were the structures used to provide water and a well-developed drainage system to carry the waste water; the strong bridges over rivers, buildings with beautiful Roman architecture like the temple Pantheon dedicated to the Roman Gods and also their different burial procedures.

The Christians did not believe and also denounced the rituals and traditions of the Romans. They did not honor the customs of the Romans and addressed them as 'Pagans.' They rejected the idea of Roman Gods and they likened the religious practices of the Romans to that of worshiping the evil spirits. With the advent of the Church and increased power and authority of the Pope and Church along with accepting Christianity as the formal religion, the Christians tried to coerce the Romans to give up their pagan ways. The Church became dominant and influenced the governmental decisions. But, the Church fathers accepted and recognized the ancient texts of the Romans and these were carefully saved and handed over to the next generations. The great architecture of the Romans was also preserved. The Roman Basilica inspired the Christians and many churches were modeled in the same architectural form. The Christians respected the exclusive Roman art form and incorporated it into their culture.

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