Pagan Rome and the Early Christians

As perceived by the average Roman citizen, the early rites and behaviorof Christians laid them open to charges of cannibalism, immorality, and the practiceof magic and conspiring and fomenting rebellion aganst the state.

The early church fathers rejected these accusations and portrayedpagans as victims of misinformation or perpetrators of ill will. Benko proposes togive the pagans the benefit of the doubt and analyzes their charges againstChristianity under the premise that they may have been right within the context ofthe times. He has provided a persuasively argued and refreshing -- if controversial-- perspective on the confrontation of the pagan and early Christianworlds.