Soldiering for God : : Christianity and the Roman army / / by John F. Shean.

• Superior document: History of warfare ; v. 61
• Author: Shean, John F.
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden, The Netherlands ;, Boston : : Brill,, 2010.
• Year of Publication: 2010
• Language: English
• Series: History of Warfare 61.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (476 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.
• Other title: Preliminary Material /; Chapter One. Introduction: The Warrior’s Path To God /; Chapter Two. Roman Army Religion /; Chapter Three. Christian Attitudes Towards The Roman State, War, And Military Service /; Chapter Four. Sociology Of Early Christianity /; Chapter Five. Evidence For The Presence Of Christians In The Roman Army /; Chapter Six. The Thirteenth Apostle /; Chapter Seven. Church And State In The Fourth Century /; Chapter Eight. The Impact Of ‘Barbarization’ On The Roman Army /; Chapter Nine. Consequences Of Conversion /; Table 1 /; Bibliography /; Index /
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references (p. [415]-437) and index.
• ISBN: 1283039494; 9786613039491; 9004187332; 9004187316
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: by John F. Shean.

This new study argues that the religious attitude of the Roman army was a crucial factor in the Christianization of the Roman world. Specifically, by the end of the third century, there was a significant Christian presence within the army which was ready to act in the interests of the faith. Conditions at this time were thus ripe for the coming to power of a Christian emperor: when Constantine converted to Christianity he could rely upon the enthusiastic support of his Christian soldiers. Constantine strengthened his Christian base by initiating policies which accelerated the Christianization of the army. The continuation of these policies by Christian Roman emperors eventually allowed them to use the military as a vehicle for the suppression of paganism and ‘heretical’ Christian sects.