Product Description This book provides a new appraisal of religious change in the Roman Empire, focusing on the rise of Christianity in Northern Italy. Drawing on both archaeological evidence and traditional literary sources, Mark Humphries examines Christian origins and shows how competing interests of bishops,emperors, and laity impacted the political, cultural, and theological development of the church. Review `Dr Humphries exposes the uncertain foundations of some of the old assumptions.' Dr Gillian Evans, Church Times, 14/7/00.`This is a stimulating study, steering its way sensitively in waters almost as controversial now as in the third and fourth centuries. It deserves to be widely read and its methology adopted into the armoury of scholarship in early Christianity.' Dr Gillian Evans, Church Times, 14/7/00. About the Author Mark Humphries, Lecturer in Ancient Classics.