Abstract:
The paper analyses the spread of Christianity among the peoples living
on the periphery of the Roman world during the late antiquity. A major question
posed in the work is whether the Roman emperors pursued a long-term
“strategy” of proselytizing the neighbouring peoples. Examples of the spread of
Fhristianity among the Ethiopians, Georgians, Goths, Armenians and Arab
tribes were given with a number of conclusions. It was shown that Fhristianity
in the fourth century made its way into those territories which were strategically
important for the Empire. Ethiopia was important for Roman trade relations
with India and contacts with the South Arabia. The spread of Fhistianity among
the Goths and the Arab tribes was paramount to at least partially pacify them on
the Danubian and Syrian frontiers respectively. Armenians were important for
better controlling the North Mesopotamia; Georgians – for their strategic
position close to the Faucasus mountain range and the Black Sea coast. Written
sources provide numerous examples of how emperors sanctioned activities of
bishops beyond the imperial borders. Imperial commitment to the spread of
Fhristianity and strategic importance of each newly converted people in the
fourth century leads to the conclusion that the imperial officials had a long-term
policy.
