Christianity Influence On Early Western Civilization

Christianity was an important influence on the development of early western civilization. Around 4 B.C.E. Jesus was born. The events of his life and death lead to the development of Christianity which first spread among slaves, the poor, and women who were dissatisfied with their place in the Roman patriarchal society. Christianity then spread to the upper classes and the educated. Around the 4th century C.E. the Emperor Constantine acknowledged the Christian religion, and by the 5th century all of the Roman Empire was officially Christian. (A History of Europe in the Modern World 11e, p 17) Christianity brought with it a new way of thinking. They believed that human life was sacred. They were champions to the poor, sick, and mistreated.