In its early years, Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire because its teaching appealed especially to
Responses
A wealthy merchants.wealthy merchants.
B many Roman emperors.many Roman emperors.
C the poor and oppressed.the poor and oppressed.
D Hellenistic philosophers.
C the poor and oppressed.
The correct answer is C: the poor and oppressed.
To get the answer to this question, we need to understand the historical context of early Christianity and its appeal to different groups within the Roman Empire.
During its early years, Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire primarily because of its appeal to the poor and oppressed. At that time, the Roman Empire was characterized by a stark division of wealth and power. The majority of the population, especially those living in urban areas, consisted of poor individuals who were often subjected to harsh living conditions and societal injustices.
The teachings of Christianity resonated with these marginalized groups. The message of hope, equality, and salvation offered by Christianity provided solace to those who felt oppressed and downtrodden in their daily lives. Additionally, Christianity preached that everyone, regardless of their social status, had equal worth in the eyes of God. This inclusivity and egalitarianism attracted many to the new faith.
It is important to note that while wealthy merchants did contribute to the spread of Christianity in later years, particularly through their financial support and influence, it was the initial appeal to the poor and oppressed that laid the foundation for the rapid growth of Christianity in its early years within the Roman Empire.