Roman Mosaic from Herculaneum with Fish & Anchor Symbols later adopted by Christians
Apostle Paul’s journey to Rome is an interesting story. The more I look into it the more it fascinates. Always wondered why Paul, as a Roman prisoner, had so much leeway. The 275 passengers on “his” boat listened to him. He debated with the ship owner and the Roman centurion about the route to take. He was free to go on shore to visit friends and had no restrictions when stranded in Malta. Also, once in Rome – whilst formally under house arrest - he moved around freely. Some people claim that he even travelled to Gallia Narbonnensis (Southern France) for a missionary tour. Quite extraordinary for a prisoner. Or was he not?
Apostle Paul's Journey of a Grain Freighter from Caesarea to Rome, 59-60 AD - He wanted to go to Rome!
When Paul arrived in Jerusalem from his 3rd mission to Anatolia (57 AD), he was unwelcome. His fellow apostles did not agree with his vision of a faith that was open to gentiles, droped many Jewish laws (restrictions on food & sabbath activities, circumcision etc.), described Jesus as a peaceful Messiah and gave the emperor what was the emperors. His fellows were more traditional and wanted to retain Jewish law. Other members of the Jewish community were belligerent and wanted Paul to be dead. He only escaped thanks to the protection of Roman legionnaires who allowed him to address the angry mob. Wonder why they did that?
The Romans though could not guarantee his safety. He was escorted by 100 soldiers (what a troop for an "ordinary" citizen!) to Caesarea. Paul knew that he was innocent under Roman law and that his Roman citizenship would protect him. Felix, the Roman Governor of Judea, kept him in Caesarea for two years but was convinced there was no case. When Felix was visited by King Herod Agrippa II and his sister Berenice, Roman client king and queen and successors to Herod the Great, they concluded “We could let this man go free but he asked Caesar to hear his case.” (Acts 26:32). Herod and his sister were well connected. During the first Jewish-Roman War (66-73 AD), Berenice became General Vespasian’s mistress and went with him in 69 AD to his coronation in Rome.
Emperor Flavius Vespasian (69 - 79 AD), Founder of
the Flavian Dynasty (69 - 96 AD)
The Flavian dynasty was well disposed towards Christians. The Jewish Zealots were a military threat and the first Jewish-Roman war a bloody affair. It took seven times more soldiers to subjugate Judea than to conquer England. But the Christian minority in Judea and the diaspora was peaceful. They did not oppose Roman authority.
Saint Paul writing his Epistles - 17th Century Painting by a Caravaggio Student - in Fact, Apostle Paul dictated all his Letters - he did not write himself
In his “Letter to the Romans (13:1-7)”, Apostle Paul wrote in 57 AD:
“1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong… 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes…”
Legionnaires carrying away the Spoils from the Temple after the Sack of Jerusalem in 70 AD - from the Arch of Titus erected in 82 AD on the Roman Forum
A Roman Emperor combined political, military and religious power in one hand. He was the high priest, the Pontifex Maximus. Upon their death, emperors became Gods. Usually, they did not meddle with the religious practice of conquered people – just imposed themselves as “Über-Gods”. For the Jewish though they made exceptions and dispensed them from the emperor cult. It did not diffuse the tensions. The first Jewish-Roman war started in 66 AD. Is it far-fetched to imagine that Vespasian, the main General in the theatre and first Flavian Emperor, made the same exception for the peaceful Christians? “Divide et impera” was a well know Roman policy. Split your enemies to weaken them from within.
Vespasian's Grand-Daughter Flavia is claimed by both the Jewish and Christian Tradition
Some members of the Flavian Dynasty were early Christians like Saint Flavia Domitilla, the grand-daughter of Emperor Vespasian and a niece to Emperors Titus and Domitian. The Flavians stopped massacring Christians - Nero did by blaming them for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD. On their coins, the Flavians used Christian symbols like the anchor with fish, symbols that Christians had “adopted” from the Greek God Apollo. The Flavians also let Christian disciples write the Gospel in Antioch, Rome’s second largest city and important garrison against the Persian Sassanids. They did nothing to stop the spread of Christianity. It could well be that a significant part of the Empire's Jewish diaspora converted to Christianity – but am speculating now. Apostle Paul definitely had the intention to do so.
This Coin from Vespasian uses the same Symbols as early Christians used at the time
From his early writings, we know that Apostle Paul always wanted to go in Rome and then continue to Spain. He had learnt in his first three missions that his message resonated with the gentiles, the uprooted, the displaced, women, soldiers, merchants and slaves. For all of them, the old religions did not work any longer. They looked for something new, for spiritual community (common supper led to the Holy Communion), for life after death, for decency in a world of moral decay. They wanted a faith where people were equal, where everybody communicated with God. A faith that renounced violence and where even Emperors were accountable. An overarching Deity which was everywhere, a portable religion. Apostle Paul wanted to bring this new creed to the people living in Italy and the western part of the Empire. Am convinced he wanted to go to Rome - and he got a "free" ride!
Had Paul not travelled but stayed in Judea, Christianity probably would not have taken off. It would have remained a Jewish sect. That the Flavian Emperors used it to divide the Jewish people seems plausible. Flavian meddling may have helped Christianity to take roots. But faith is stronger than worldly power. The Roman emperors are long gone. The Christian faith is still with us.
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