On the topic of Christian persecution, there are stories often left untold.

[onager]

5. The Vestal Virgins only disbanded temporarily.

Last edited Mon Apr 6, 2015, 06:53 AM - Edit history (1)

Then re-organized later, to be called "nuns."

Under the leadership of a guy using exactly the same title as the former head pagan priest: Pontifex Maximus. Who ran the shiny new religion from pretty much the same place as the pagans, Vaticanus Mons (Vatican Hill).

Fun article from the History Channel, "10 Things You May Not Know About The Vatican:"

http://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-vatican

ETA - another huge "untold story" is the influence of Alexandria, Egypt on early Xian history. When Constantine was trying to impose Xianity as the new state religion, he had to referee the never-ending squabbles between two powerful rival sects in Alexandria. Led by 2 holy men who hated each other, Bishop Athanasius and his competitor, Arias. They disagreed on the nature of Christ.

IMO, much of the totally baffling Xian bullshit, like the Trinity, resulted from those fights. That's how we got the hilarious contradictions, like Jesus simultaneously being one-third of God and also God's son. Those were compromises that all had to be incorporated into the theology. Somehow.

Standard Disclaimer: I am not a Sophisticated Theologian.