How Christianity conquered the Roman empire

Tim Whitmarsh discusses the rise of Christianity in the fist century AD – and why it flourished when other religious cults did not

Published: August 10, 2026 at 3:50 PM

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The Roman empire was home to a multitude of religious cults in the first century AD. However, only one – Christianity – rose to global domination. But why?

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That's a question that Tim Whitmarsh sets out to answer in his latest book, Rome's Age of Revolution. In this episode, Tim talks Spencer Mizen through a story that encompasses Christian entrepreneurs, Greek intellectuals and the surprising parallels between Jesus and the Emperor Augustus.

Authors

Spencer MizenSenior production editor

Spencer is senior production editor of HistoryExtra magazine

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