![[Oxford,_Sackler_Library_Ms_P._Oxy_LXXXIII_5345_(Papyrus_137)_recto_Mark_1,_7-9_(left)_verso_Mark_1,_16-18_(right).jpg]] *Earliest surviving manuscript of the [Gospel of Mark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Mark "Gospel of Mark"). Late 2nd or early 3rd century.* In the late Classical period of Europe, the most visibly significant event from the perspective of today's westerners was probably the growth and spread of Christianity. So although we're going to look at a lot that happened in Europe and the rest of the world during the same period, let's begin there. Christianity grew from a sect or cult within Judaism to an independent religion along with the diaspora of the Jewish people after their ejection from their homeland in the Levant in the first century. The "Good News" (gospel) of the messiah Jesus was spread through Jewish synagogues, beginning (according to christian tradition) with preaching by the original disciples. But in a very important development for the spread of the new faith, the evangelist Paul (originally called Saul of Tarsus) expanded the scope and appeal of the new religion to Gentiles and invited non-Jews to embrace the message of salvation. ![[Fresco_of_Saint_Paul_at_Ephesus.jpg]] *Fifth century fresco of Paul at the cave of Saint Paul at Ephesus* Paul was constantly writing letters to far-flung christian communities throughout the Mediterranean world. Of the thirteen canonical Epistles, included in the New Testament, several such as Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, and Colossians include explicit invitations to Gentiles to join the new religious community. Several of the first theological conflicts of Christianity involve which elements of judaism applied to Christians, and which had been superceded by the teachings of Jesus. Among these were dietary restrictions and practices such as circumcision, required in the Hebrews' original covenant with YHVH. Paul's practice of eliminating full adherence to jewish law and his focus on urban regions such as Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome accelerated the spread of Christianity in the Greco-Roman world. ----- Next: [[8.2 - Christianity's Appeal]]