In a message dated 99-09-27 10:59:21 EDT, you write:
<< but one must also ask why the ruling invaders adopted xnty. >>
Isn't it possible that christianity was adopted by the soldiers along the
frontier in a confraternal way, i.e. a burial society (guaranteed funeral and
burial with an added stipulation that your widow and children will be cared
for)? In which case as the Germans took over the task of manning the Roman
army they adopted christianity.
There is much in christianity from its inception that is ideally given to
such a social function. Its rapid spread across the Mediterranean bears this
out (amongst merchants and seafarers who would have dearly paid to have the
needs of their families addressed). I also think there is ample evidence
that large segments of the Roman army were already christianized by the
beginning of the 4th century.
mark
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