When did the Roman Empire fall (your thoughts)?

[Theodosius the Great]

Sure christianity would be appealing if presented that way, to those who knew little or nothing about it.

Christ was presented as such and there was nothing lowbrow about it. He was the ultimate conqueror who conquered death. Take this fifth century mosaic, for example, of Christ as soldier/conqueror. It's from the Archbishop's chapel in Ravenna, Italy.


There's much more militant imagery. Imperial coinage never stopped showing the emperor in full armor.

And here's a sixth century missorum showing David fighting Goliath. So, Christians were quite aware of the Old Testament battles and accepted it as part of their heritage. "A time for war, a time for peace..." (Ecclesiastes)

As people became more informed about it fewer may have thought it consistent with soldiering or service to Rome.

First of all, soldering was a hereditary occupation in the Late Empire. Second, I see a more militant movement within Christianity after Constantine. The monks that Alanus mentioned a while ago were not all what you or I might consider monkish in their behavior. Many were willing to fight for their faith. You should rent the movie "Agora" which takes place in 4th century Alexandria.

~Theo