End of Paganism

End of Paganism Background of the Conflict in Alexandria ●​ Religious tensions escalated between Christians and pagans. ●​ An old, neglected basilica was repurposed for Christian use. ○​ Hidden underground chambers were discovered, suspected of illicit activities. ●​ Pagans reacted violently. ○​ Engaged in open battles with Christians. ○​ Took refuge in the Temple of Serapis. ○​ Captured Christians and forced them to sacrifice to pagan gods. ○​ Those who refused were tortured and killed. Government Response ●​ Roman authorities were alarmed by the violence. ○​ Officials attempted to negotiate but were met with resistance. ○​ Emperor responded with clemency, seeking to remove the cause of conflict. ●​ When imperial orders were read: ○​ Christians cheered. ○​ Pagans panicked and fled. Destruction of the Temple of Serapis Structure and Significance of the Temple ●​ Elevated site with over 100 steps. ●​ Contained secret rooms for pagan rituals. ●​ The statue of Serapis was massive. ○​ Made of multiple materials (metal and wood). ○​ Designed to appear as if the sun was greeting it through a trick of light. ○​ Suspended by magnets to appear as if floating. The Destruction ●​ Christians hesitated due to a pagan prophecy. ○​ A myth stated that if the statue was touched, the earth would split open. ●​ A soldier struck the statue with an axe. ○​ Nothing happened—earth and sky remained intact. ●​ Encouraged by this, the statue was completely dismantled. ○​ It was broken into pieces, burned, and dragged through Alexandria. ○​ The torso was publicly burned in the amphitheater. ●​ This marked the symbolic end of pagan worship in Alexandria. Further Destruction of Pagan Temples ●​ Other temples in Alexandria were systematically destroyed. ●​ Idols were pilloried and defiled. ●​ Shocking discoveries were made in pagan shrines: ○​ Decapitated infant heads found in gilded urns. ○​ Images of torturous deaths. ○​ Evidence of human sacrifices. ●​ Many pagans, realizing the deception, converted to Christianity. Theodoret on the Empire-wide Destruction of Temples Edicts Against Pagan Worship ●​ Emperor Theodosius enacted strict anti-pagan policies. ○​ Ordered destruction of temples. ○​ Declared sacrifices illegal. ●​ Earlier emperors had restricted pagan worship but not destroyed temples. ○​ Constantine banned sacrifices but left temples intact. ○​ Julian briefly revived paganism. ○​ Theodosius aimed to completely eradicate it. Marcellus and the Destruction of the Temple of Jupiter ●​ Marcellus, bishop of Apamea, led temple demolitions. ●​ The Temple of Jupiter was difficult to destroy due to its massive structure. ●​ A worker devised a method to weaken supporting columns. ○​ Used wooden supports and fire. ●​ A demon allegedly interfered to prevent the fire from spreading. ○​ Marcellus used holy water and prayer to banish the demon. ○​ Fire consumed the supports, causing the temple to collapse. ●​ Other pagan temples were destroyed in a similar fashion. Theophilus and the Destruction of Serapis’ Temple in Alexandria ●​ Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria, led the final purge of pagan worship. ●​ Exposed fraudulent pagan practices. ○​ Pagan priests used hidden passages to make statues "speak." ●​ Destroyed the Temple of Serapis. ○​ A myth claimed an earthquake would occur if Serapis was harmed. ○​ Theophilus ordered a man to strike the statue, disproving the myth. ○​ The statue was shattered, revealing that it was infested with mice. ●​ Idolatry was systematically eradicated across the empire. ○​ Paganism was discredited. ○​ Christianity became the dominant religion. Imperial Laws Against Paganism ●​ Several legal decrees outlawed pagan practices: ○​ 392 CE: Shrines and sacrifices banned. ○​ 395 CE: Pagan priests stripped of privileges. ○​ 396 CE: Worship at temples fully prohibited. ○​ 399 CE: Pagan temples in rural areas ordered to be destroyed. ●​ Pagan temples could no longer receive government protection. ●​ Those attempting to preserve pagan practices were punished. ○​ Hefty fines and confiscation of property. .