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Religious Intolerance in the Later Roman Empire - Bad request ...

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call<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Jews n efas as Constant<strong>in</strong>e’s CTh16.8.1 of 329 did, and so is perhaps not as<br />

offensive, <strong>the</strong> law is never<strong>the</strong>less on a par <strong>in</strong> terms of derogatory rhetoric with<br />

Constant<strong>in</strong>e’s earlier enactment.<br />

Constantius and Paganism<br />

Whereas Constant<strong>in</strong>e had little to say aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong> pagan gods, <strong>the</strong> legislation of<br />

Constantius <strong>in</strong>dicates a growth of <strong>in</strong>tolerance towards pagans and paganism. There<br />

are eight surviv<strong>in</strong>g laws on traditional practices dat<strong>in</strong>g from Constantius’ reign and <strong>in</strong><br />

particular <strong>the</strong> legislation <strong>in</strong>dicates a noticeable growth <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>tolerance when Constantius<br />

came <strong>in</strong>to possession of <strong>the</strong> Western empire after 353. Six of Constantius’ eight anti-<br />

pagan laws are directed towards Italy, although one may have been directed towards<br />

Africa. Two, CTh 9.16.4 and 5 were only addressed “to <strong>the</strong> People;” both were issued<br />

<strong>in</strong> Milan. Constantius’ first law on paganism, CTh 16.10.2 of 341 is recorded as be<strong>in</strong>g<br />

issued by Constantius to Madalianus, 125 but may <strong>in</strong> fact have been issued by Constans.<br />

The law addresses Madalianus as vice Praetorian Prefect (Agen tum Vice P[raefectorum ]<br />

P[raetori]o), presumably he was Vicar of Italy. Most of Madalianus’ offices were held<br />

<strong>in</strong> Africa and Italy. He only appears to have held one office <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> East, that of Legato<br />

pro Praetore Prov Asiae. 126 As such he was probably Vicar <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> west, probably Italy<br />

or Africa, when he received this law and <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> first emperor mentioned should<br />

probably have been Constans and not Constantius.<br />

This law was short and to <strong>the</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t: “Superstition shall cease; <strong>the</strong> madness of<br />

sacrifices shall be abolished.” 127 Although <strong>in</strong> san ia is derogatory, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r terms of <strong>the</strong><br />

law were quite reasonable: offenders were to “suffer <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>fliction of a suitable<br />

punishment and <strong>the</strong> effect of an immediate sentence.” 128 Madalianus appears to have<br />

125 Lucius Creperius Madalianus. PLRE I. 530<br />

126 CIL 14.4449 Ostia (Supplement)<br />

127 Cesset superstitio, sacrificiorum aboleatur <strong>in</strong>san ia<br />

128 sacrificia celebrare conpetens <strong>in</strong> eum v <strong>in</strong>dicata et praesens sen tentia exeratur<br />

33

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