Domination: the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity

In Domination: the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity, Alice Roberts investigates changes in religious  beliefs during the Roman Empire, especially during the final two hundred years, and the possible causes for those changes. She examines how a small sect formed from within the Jewish religion grew to a major enterprise not only promoting religious beliefs but also influencing economic conditions and the power basis within ruling structures in many countries.

The book begins with a discussion about the early days of Christian beliefs which travelled between countries that traded with each other, in this case parts of Wales and southern England (especially Cornwall) with Brittany and parts of France once known as Gaul. Using results of archaeological digs and referring to some of the few written accounts that have survived from or about that time period, the author examines the spread of Christian beliefs in these regions before continuing the investigation in other regions of the Roman Empire.

Main topics include The End of the Empire, The Heart of the Empire and the Business of the Empire and how these aspects merged together to form a powerful and prominent force affecting the rule and decision making of most European countries.

A select bibliography and index is provided in this thought provoking book about how the Christian religion has influenced past history and, in many countries, is still doing so today.