Julian And Eusebius: The Legalization Of Christianity In Rome

Throughout the development of the Roman Empire, the idea of paganism held the empire together because it allowed many people to still worship their gods and assimilate into society. Julian, a paganistic emperor, saw that the public ceremonies done by the empire played a major role in unifying its Roman citizens, but Christianity prevented that by promoting private worship. However, Eusebius believed that Christianity benefitted the empire and used Constantine’s mission reunite the empire as an example of what positives Christianity would bring to the Roman Empire. Despite Christianity appearing to be popular after its legalization, Julian and Eusebius’s beliefs differ in a way that prevents them from seeing eye to eye proving that Christianity

It allowed people to see that Christianity, like the worship of multiple gods in paganism, led to success. Christianity also unified the military during Constantine’s rule by giving them a single reason to fight. The positives expressed in Eusebius writing express the greatness of Christianity. When in reality, Julian pointing out the issues brought upon the Roman empire caused by the introduction of Christianity states otherwise. When he writes, “For you do not take notice whether any mention is made by the Jews of holiness, but you emulate their rage and their bitterness, overturning temples and altars, and cutting the throats not only of those who remain firm in paternal institutes…” (Julian pg 21), Julian is saying that the followers of Christianity don’t do the public worships at temples and altars like normal Roman citizens as well as dislike those who aren’t Christian themselves. Thus creating a divide amongst pagans and Christians within the Roman Empire. Another problem with private worship is that it prevents many citizens from participating in public worships. Christian teachings are preventing people from doing their doing their civic duty as Roman citizens. This is causing many people, including the government, from having a positive opinion of Christianity. Thus causing the overall spread of Christianity to slow