Religion 339
Studies in the History of Christianity:
How the Roman Empire Became
Christian
Room: THH 207
Class hours: T 2.00-4.50
Instructor: Professor Sheila Briggs
Office: ACB 232
Tel: 213-740-0267
Office Hours: T 12.00-2.00
or by appointment
e-mail: sbriggs@usc.edu
Course Syllabus
The ancient Mediterranean world was transformed in the fourth century CE when
Christianity went from being illegal and at times persecuted to becoming the sole
tolerated religion of the Roman Empire. How did this reversal of fortune come about and
what were its consequences? The question of the course title can be approached in
different ways. On the political level, the triumph of Christianity led to the eradication of
other religions. Yet alongside the public and often violent supression of the ancient pagan
religions one also needs to ask how and to what extent did the newly dominant
Christianity affect the everyday life of inhabitants of the Roman Empire. Around the
central question of the course cluster other questions. Did the Roman Empire become
Christian? Did the newly converted pagans bring their religious traditions into
Christianity and thus transform it as much as it changed them? Another question: is
which Christianity came to dominate the Roman Empire? Christianity was from its
beginnings diverse and its different movements were often in hostile competition with
one another. The Roman emperors endorsed only one of these Christian movements (the
“orthodox”), an action that changed the internal dynamics of Christianity and led to
violent conflict between the orthodox and other Christians. Finally, we will ask the
question what were the consquences of the Christianization of the Roman Empire for the
long-term politcal and cultural future of the Mediterranean and its surrounding regions.
Students in this course will engage a range of primary sources from the GrecoRoman world. They will also read significant secondary literature that represents the
spectrum of interpretation through which historians elucidate the source material. Thus
students will learn the methods and issues that arise when studying religion in the distant
past and in a very different culture from their own.
Required Reading
Gillian Clark, Christianity and Roman Society
Ramsay Macmullen, Christianity and Paganism in the Fourth to Eighth Centuries
Virginia Burrus (Ed), Late Ancient Christianity (A People's History of Christianity)
Selected Ancient Sources (available in class and through Blackboard)
Course Outline
Jan. 12. What does it mean to say that the Roman Empire became Christian?
Section 1: Christianity in a Greco-Roman Context
Jan. 19. Introduction— Christians in a Greco-Roman Pagan world. Reading: Clark, pp.
1-37. Sources on Blackboard: Pagan Conceptions of the Divine and Attitudes towards
Christians.
Jan. 26. Early Christian Martyrdom. Reading: Clark, pp. 38-59; Burrus, pp. 70-92.
Sources on Blackboard: Martyrdom.
Feb. 2. Asceticism. Reading: Clark, pp. 60-77; Burrus, pp. 27-45. Sources on Blackboard:
Asceticism.
Feb 9. The emergence of the Christian scriptures. Reading: Clark, pp. 78-92; Burrus, pp.
46-69. Sources on Blackboard: Scripture and Christian Diversity.
Feb. 9 Mid-Term Examination distributed (due Feb. 16)
Feb. 9. Christianity and Roman Society after Constantine. Reading: Clark, pp. 93-117.
Sources on Blackboard: The Christian Ascendancy in the Roman Empire.
Section 2: Christians and Pagans in a Late Ancient Christian World
Feb. 16. The Christian Persecution of the Pagans: Reading: Macmullen, pp. 1-31
Feb. 23. Destroying Pagan Religions. Reading: Macmullen, pp. 32-73
Mar. 1. Christianity and the Changing Thought-Patterns of Late Antiquity. Reading:
Macmullen, pp. 74-102
Mar. 8 Pagan Assimilation of Christianity. Reading: Macmullen, pp. 103-159
Mar15. Spring Recess
Mar. 24. Pagan Assimilation of Christianity. Reading: Macmullen, pp. 130-159
Mar. 22.-29. Christianising the Ancient City. Student Presentations on the film
Agora and Alexandria
Section 3: Ordinary Christians and Everyday Life
Apr. 5. Ancient Christianity from below. Reading: Burrus, pp. 1-23. Local Practices
(Children’s Play). Reading: Burrus, pp. 95-116. Local Practices (Baptism). Reading:
Burrus, pp. 117-144.
Apr. 12. Local Practices (Food). Reading: Burrus, pp. 145-164. Local Practices (Saints).
Reading: Burrus, pp. 165-187. Local Practices (Personal Devotions). Reading: Burrus,
pp. 188-210.
Apr. 19. The Shifting Boundaries of Christian Identity (Heresy and Households).
Reading: Burrus, pp. 213-233. The Shifting Boundaries of Christian Identity (Judaism).
Reading: Burrus, pp. 234-254.
Apr. 26. The Shifting Boundaries of Christian Identity (Magic). Reading: Burrus, pp.
255-284.
Apr. 26. Research Paper due
Apr. 26. Final Examination distributed (due May 5)
Course Requirements
These carry the given percentage of the final course grade.
Course participation (10%). Regular attendance of class and constructive engagement in
class discussions.
One take-home midterm examination (essay format) due February 16 (20%).
One in-class presentation (20%) This is to be based on one of the persons, groups, events
or institutions, portrayed in the film Agora. Detailed instructions will be given.
An individual research paper of 12-15 pages (30%). This requires extensive reading
beyond the required course readings. Detailed instructions will be given.
One take-home final examination (essay format) due Monday, May 5 (20%).
Course Policies and Resources for Students
Don't cut class. You are expected to attend every session. If you miss class, then
you are left to your own resources to make up the lost work. In such cases, you can try
borrowing a fellow student's notes or doing extra reading on the session's topic, but you
will have missed the class discussion.
Complete assignments punctually. Assignments handed in late may lose points
or not be graded at all! If you are having difficulties completing an assignment, contact
the instructor as soon as possible, before or by the time the assignment is due. It is always
easier to accommodate student requests for time extensions on assignments, when these
are presented before an assignment is due. The in-class presentations must be ready for
the class sessions assigned to them. It is also important that students note the date and
time and attend the final examination. The instructor must submit the final course grade
soon after the final examination. The final course grade is precisely that. The instructor
cannot alter it, and even students with compelling reasons for not completing the work on
time have to undergo a long petition process, which is often unsuccessful.
Use Blackboard and check your USC e-mail account for course information.
Instructions on assignments, course materials and announcements will be posted on
Blackboard. I may also contact students through their USC e-mail accounts.
The Writing Center is there to help you. To use it, all you need to do is
make an appointment by 'phone or in person a few days in advance. You can also try just
walking in, but then you are not guaranteed an appointment, and the center at times will
be very busy. Writing Center consultants can help you develop ideas and arguments and
revise rough drafts for the paper required in the course. The Writing Center is situated on
the third floor of Taper Hall (Tel.: 740-3691).
All students are expected to know and follow USC's rules on academic integrity.
Students must acknowledge all sources (books, journals, videos, web-based and
electronic materials, etc.) used in an assignment, whether these are directly quoted,
paraphrased or their main ideas summarized. Students should retain notes and any other
material that can substantiate that they produced their work consistent with the rules on
academic integrity.
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is
required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter
of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure
the letter is delivered to me as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU
301 and is open 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for
DSP is (213) 740-0776.