How Religion all changed in Roman Britain


 
  • For the first 300 years that the Romans ruled Britain, the Romano-British worshipped many different gods. They were pagans, like the Saxons.
  • In the Middle East, a religion called Christianity was started by Jesus Christ, around the year AD 25.
  • Christians believe in only one God. This religion was very unpopular with the Roman Government. It was banned.
  • Legends tell us that Christianity was brought to Britain by Jesus's grand uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, in AD 63. These stories are probably made up.
  • Traders and merchants (people selling things) brought Christian ideas to Britain in the 2nd century. The Christians had to worship in secret.
  • Sometimes, they were hunted down and executed. In Rome, they were eaten by lions! This might have happened in Britain too.
  • We know of at least three Christians who were executed in Britain: St. Alban, St. Aaron and St. Julius.
  • In AD 313, the Emperor Constantine changed the law. He said it was OK to be a Christian.
  • Christianity quickly became very popular. Romano-British bishops went to a big conference at Arles (in France) the next year.
  • Archaeologists have dug up the remains of several Romano-British churches. Some pagan temples were turned into churches.
  • By the time the Romans left Britain,  many people in the country were Christians.

Click to find out: What happened next?
 

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