Westen Civilization. Christianity, ts rise and development within the Roman Empire - Essay Example

? Western Civilization Lecturer: Introduction Civilization focuses on matters pertaining the advancement of human life in terms of culture, technology, industries society to name just but a few levels of human advancement (Hunt, para-1). In above connection, western civilization involves development of human life which started from the Middle Eastern parts of the world and spreading towards the western parts. The period of civilization was marked by emergence of certain events such; fall of Romans empire, decline in population size in rural areas as most people migrates towards the cities. Additionally, the story expounds the issue of customary as well as providing a sharp insight of ideas, peoples and their cultural change over the past years (Hunt, PP 9-15). Western civilization had been broadly divided into subsection namely; civilization of the ancient world, civilization in the Mediaeval; periods as well civilization of early modern society (Hunt, Para 4). In above connection, the study will focus on the onset of western society since the earlier periods up to 17th century by scrutinizing on various changes in religion and culture (Hunt, Para-1).Therefore, this study will provide a sharp insight on how western civilization affected the rise and development of Roman Empire. Additionally, the study will provide an explanation of how Christianity was influenced by Romans Religious practices as well as the most important elements of conversation of the empire to Christianity. How was Christianity affected by its rise and development within the Roman Empire? The rise of western civilization affected Christianity within the Romans Empire in numerous ways. For instance, some religious wars erupted as people struggled for power and leadership (Hunt, P-159). A religious war erupted between the Turks and the Holy Roman Empire and another one emerged between Spanish and Muslims. Additionally, another religious war was reported to erupt between missionaries and Hussite (Hunt, P-549).In above connection, the Roman emperor viewed Christianity as a political force that aimed at taking leadership and powers away from him and therefore, Christians were prosecuted during this period of western civilization (Hunt, PP, 549-705).This further led to decline in number of Christians as many people feared to be prosecuted by the Romans government. However, even after medieval era and the fall of Romans Empire, Christianity continued to prosper and the new leadership that came into place supported Christianity (Hunt, PP, 549-705). Through western civilization; the Roman Empire was able to absorb Christianity despite the fact that there were rivals between Pagans and Christians. For example after the fall of Romans Empire, Christianity becomes fully dominant within the Empire (Hunt, PP, 605). This further led to the development of Romans Catholic church which later established its roots in various parts of the world (Hunt, PP 549-705). In above connection, it can be scrutinized that western civilization affected Christianity in the manner in which people believed in God, this in turn affected the Romans Empire as people started believe that there was only one God unlike before when they used to believe in existance of numerous gods (Hunt, P-608). This indicates that Western civilization brought a transition on the way people perceived God. They moved from Polytheism to Monotheism (Hunt, P-704). In above connection, through western civilization Christians within the Roman Empire were able to become united. For example, after the fall of previous leadership, Emperor Constantine who took over the leadership saw the church as one of the most significant unifying factors. He therefore used the church to unite the people by bringing people from different cultural and religious background together (Hunt, P-625). According to Emperor Constantine, the church could not unify the empire at that time but could have helped to unify the people and this could have made his leadership a beat easier (Hunt, P- 549). He therefore, provided the church members with political, social and cultural support. This further made the church to become a religion that was fully accepted by the whole state unlike before as people started to understand that the church was not after political powers (Hunt, PP, 549-705). Discussion on how Christianity was influenced by Roman religious practices as well elements that were most important in the conversion of the Empire to Christianity on the period 27 BCE to 337 CE. Christianity was influenced by Roman region in number of ways for example; most of the military troupes in the Roman Empire were Pagans. Therefore, one day during the battle Constantine, the Roman emperor saw a light shield in the sun an ordered his solders to mark their shields with a Christians symbol and afterwards they worn the battle (Hunt PP, 324-330). This is a good indication of how Roman religion influenced Christianity. Connectively, Romans religion influence Christianity through taxes whereby, Christians did not pay tax to the emperor and therefore, they were suppose to give an explanation why they were not paying taxes to pay homage to their empire just like Jews did. This further made Christians to be subjected to prosecution till the time they started paying taxes to the empire (Hunt PP 341-356). Additionally, all sacrifices and offering in the Roman religion were supposed to be accompanied by prayers. This practice influenced Christians as Christians found themselves doing the same (Hunt PP 341-356). In above connection, the most important elements of conversion of empire to Christianity was marked by baptism whereby one was considered cleansed after undoing the ritual. Additionally, oaths were also taken and were considered to be among the significant element of conversation that was supposed to be observed during conversion (Hunt, P-498). Conclusion Therefore, based on the above discussion, it can be scrutinized how western civilization affected Christianity. For example, religious wars were reported to have erupted within the Roman Empires as the ancient emperors viewed Christianity as a political force that could overthrow their leadership. However, despite the challenges Christianity in the Roman Empire continued to prosper even after the fall of the previous Romans Empire. It can be scrutinized that, western civilization further enabled people to move from polytheism way of worship to monotheism. Additionally, western civilization helped to bring unity among Christians within the Romans Empire. This can be scrutinized when the new emperor Constantine help to bring Christians together by providing them with political, social and cultural support. Conclusively, it can be scrutinized the way in which Romans religion influenced Christianity as well as the most important elements of conversation of Empire to Christianity. Works cited Hunt, Lynn A. The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003. Print.PP-1068. Read More