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During the first century CE, a new
religion took hold in Rome. It was called Christianity. The followers
of Christianity were called Christians. Christians believed in one
god. They refused to worship the Roman gods. In ancient Rome, that was
against the law. Christians were hunted as criminals.
In spite of
persecution, Christians grew in numbers rapidly. Christians actively
looked for converts. They told others about the benefits of being
Christian. Christians came from every walk of life in ancient Rome,
but Christianity had great appeal to Rome's poor.
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Life
After Death: Christianity
promised life
after death in heaven. In the Roman religion, only gods went to
heaven. Emperors were considered gods. Everyone else went to the
underworld.
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Equality:
Christianity promised equal
opportunity. You had to be born into the nobility. You could join
Christianity and be equally a Christian.
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