THE ATTITUDE OF THE ROMAN AUTHORITIES TO CHRISTIANITY DURING THE REIGN OF THE SEVERAN DYNASTY

Abstract

This article describes the attitude of the Roman authorities to Christianity during the reign of the Severan dynasty. It is well proved that under the Severan dynasty the legal status of Christians did not change. Christianity remained a forbidden religion. The persecution of Christians in 197 was limited in scope and was probably based on the initiative of the crowd. The catalyst of the persecutions in 203 was the edict of Septimius Severus, which forbade the conversion to Judaism and Christianity, but in truth was directed primarily against Christians. The most likely reasons for the publication of that edict were: firstly – a sharp increase in the number of Christians and activation among them of the supporters of Montanism; secondly – the growth of the proportion of non-Jews among the proselytes; and thirdly – the identification of Christians as proponents of magic and divination. The peculiarity of this wave of persecution was that they probably occurred throughout the whole Empire and among numerous martyrs there were many neophytes. Another distinguishing feature of the persecution of 203 was that its initiative came from the emperor himself. The edict of Septimius Severus mentioned simultaneously Jews and Christians but it was the last act of the Roman government, directed against Jews and Christians at the same time. The duration and intensity of persecution was uneven in different provinces. There is much evidence about Alexander Severus’ tolerance towards Christians. But the reign of Alexander Severus did not bring any improvement to the legal status of Christians.From the second half of the 2nd century one can speak of an increase among Christians for more active participation in the official institutions of the Roman state, including the army. We can state that Christians came to a compromise with the Roman government. It is this very practice that contributed to the fact that in the relations between Christians and authorities in the second – third centuries there were long non-conflict periods.