Impulsore Chresto reassesses opposition to Christianity AD 50250. The Roman authorities persecutions have caught the attention of both the public intrigued by martyrs and scholars arguing that executions were relatively rare. This is not challenged but the executions are placed in context as the most dramatic aspect of a spectrum of opposition including rumors polemic harassment and accusations. Such opposition was taken for granted and rarely described. When studying the preserved texts on trials against Christians however it appears that even here relatives plaintiffs spectators or local officials played crucial roles. There were as many reasons for opposition as opponents but some motives reappear in clusters Christians were perceived as superstitious and ungodly as endangering peace with the gods and social order.show more