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9 - Christianity and paganism, IV: North Africa

from Part II - Christianity Contested

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2008

By
Anna Leone
Edited by
Augustine Casiday  and
Frederick W. Norris
Augustine Casiday
Affiliation:
University of Wales, Lampeter
Frederick W. Norris
Affiliation:
Emmanuel School of Religion
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Summary

The diffusion of Christianity in North Africa was marked by complex interaction on several fronts, initially between pagans and Christians, and later within the church itself as schisms occurred. The Christianisation of North Africa resulted in a progressive acquisition of power (both religious and secular/economic) by the clergy. This chapter will synthesise the main phases of this process, paying particular attention to the role of the clergy, its transformation over the centuries and the impact of Christianisation on society and economy. Our evidence will be taken from both written and archaeological sources.

Pagan and Christian communities

The earliest Christian communities of North Africa frequently interacted with, and reacted to, local pagan traditions. Some episodes in Augustine’s life described this interaction. In general, fourth-century pagan tradition was still very lively; it provided one of Augustine’s main opponents. For instance, he mentions a strong pagan community at Liber de promissionibus et predicationibus Dei 3.38. There, Augustine writes that pagans revolted against the decision by Christian clergy to build a basilica above the temple of Caelestis in Carthage. This insurrection prompted the tribune Ursus to destroy the temple completely and build a new church on the site. On-going pagan practice is also confirmed by several mosaics of distinctly pagan iconography found in both private and public buildings. A Dionysiac scene discovered in the so-called ‘schola’ at Carthage (built probably at the beginning of the fifth century) indicates active devotees to this god. In some North African cities, theatres and amphitheatres were still pulling in big audiences, as in the Bulla Regia mentioned by Augustine.

Keywords

pagan communitiesArian persecutionCatholic churchChristian communitiesVandal invasionRoman North Africa
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge History of Christianity , pp. 231 - 247
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2007

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