Shean J.F. Soldiering for God: Christianity and the Roman Army

Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers, 2010. — 477 p. — (History of Warfare 61).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.List of Illustrations.Acknowledgements.
Abbreviations.
Introduction: The Warrior’s Path to God.
Roman Army Religion.
Three Christian Attitudes towards the Roman State, War, and Military Service.
Sociology of Early Christianity.
Evidence for the Presence of Christians in the Roman Army.
The Thirteenth Apostle.
Church and State in the Fourth Century.
The Impact of ‘Barbarization’ on the Roman Army.
Consequences of Conversion.