Tensions In The Roman Empire Essay

The Romans made a concerted effort in their receptiveness of others and their respective religions so long as peace existed in the empire. However, Monotheistic Jews, Christians, and the Romans at times were consumed by tensions as beliefs, practices or teachings varied concerning religious ideals. Christians for one resisted compromise thereby increasing strain among the population (Freeman). An attempt to consolidate religions or uniformly designate only one true religion occurred as well (Freeman). Moreover, these offers of resistance only added to the pressures of the diverse populations. The Romans were tolerant to the diverse beliefs and fostered a sense of coexistence. However, local unrest, or public disturbance remained unwelcomed

These instances described show how tensions arose from varying beliefs. Moreover, even with such a diversified group, the Romans displayed great tolerance allowing the coexistence of religions and the practices. The Romans did not deprive or completely strip conquered peoples of their religion so long as they remained within boundaries that did not cause disturbance. Fear played a role in controlling those who attempted to encroach upon the Roman boundaries set forth or expected. The role of sex and sexuality in Rome can be characterized by fidelity, fertility, dishonor, or impurity. Fidelity was expected of married Roman women to include the widowed (Freeman). Fertility remained a vital part in a marriage in which women primarily existed to conceive, specifically male heirs (Freeman). This was of utmost importance since there was a desire to extend the family line (Freeman). Conception over pleasure existed as the primary goal with the exception of prostitutes and the vestal virgins of course (Freeman). Dishonor entailed impurity to include rape. Another trait of dishonor from the women’s perspective, was the inability to bear children as one example introduced by Freeman