ABSTRACT
Christianity began as a breakaway sect within Judaism. As such, it was one of a number of reform movements in Judea. Initially, it was a religious millenarian movement, possibly with some political ambition, but without a developed philosophical outlook. e Roman historian Tacitus (56-117 ce) reported the existence of Christians in the empire in the time of Nero. He wrote that “Christus, from whom the name is derived, was executed at the hands of the procurator Pontius Pilatus” (Annals 15.44, trans. Bettenson) and goes on to describe the persecution of the Christians (see Bettenson 1975: 2). e immediate followers of Jesus do not appear to have had any great degree of literacy or sophisticated training in theology. Gradually, however, early Christianity evolved in the context of the vibrant local cultures within the Roman Empire. As Christianity spread, Greek and Roman temples were taken over and adapted, o en involving rebuilding, for Christian worship, and existing images and symbols were adapted and absorbed into the new religion. e Roman calendar and ceremonial dress, for instance, was taken over by Christianity. Nevertheless, Christianity le its distinctive mark and completely transformed the inherited Classical tradition.
