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# EARLY CHURCH HISTORY

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://earlychurchhistory.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [](https://earlychurchhistory.org/september-18-articles/) - NEW ARTICLES Slaves Were "Lifeless Tools" in Ancient Rome All Christians Are Slaves The Exotic Animal Business in Ancient Rome
- [](https://earlychurchhistory.org/446/) - 1. There were only 8 people in Noah’s Ark. T/F 2. Jonah was in the belly of the “whale” 4 days. T/F 3. The meaning in Hebrew of the word “day” always means a 24 hour period of time. T/F 4. All the names for our week days come from Roman and Norse/Anglo-Saxon gods. T/F 5. Jesus sent out 70
- [](https://earlychurchhistory.org/4699/) - https://youtu.be/C3TUWU_yg4s The Choir of King's College, Cambridge consists of 16 boys from ages 9-13 who are students at King’s College School and 14 male undergraduates from King’s College. The organ is usually played by undergraduates from King’s College. This video has had over 2 million views.
- [](https://earlychurchhistory.org/5098/) - Phil Driscoll plays and sings "I Exalt Thee"
- [](https://earlychurchhistory.org/quote-of-the-day/) - Christian missionaries have taught people in Papua, New Guinea who had many gods before their conversion to recite the Hebrew Shema announcing only ONE GOD. Watch the video below. CLICK TO WATCH
- [](https://earlychurchhistory.org/pantocrator/) - “Christ Pantocrator” is one of the earliest surviving icons of Jesus Christ. It dates from the early 500s (6th century AD) and is housed in the church at St. Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai, Egypt. The Greek word pantocrator means “ruler of all.” The icon is painted with colored beeswax applied with spatula (encaustic technique) onto a wooden
- [](https://earlychurchhistory.org/music-from-taize-2/) - https://youtu.be/x-mVDKc4wP8 The Sanctus (Latin: Sanctus, "Holy") is a hymn from Chalcedonian Christian liturgy. It may also be called the epinikios hymnos (Greek: ἐπινίκιος ὕμνος, "Hymn of Victory") when referring to the Greek rendition.
- [](https://earlychurchhistory.org/387/) - GERMANICUS' BAKERY IN TRAJAN’S MARKET BEST BREAD IN ROME!! CLICK FOR ARTICLE

## Pages

- [Early Church History—Life in Ancient Rome & The Early Christians](https://earlychurchhistory.org/) - Welcome To Early Church History If you’re interested in and searching for information about early church history, you’ve landed in the right place. All the articles, videos and images here are intended to inform, fascinate and broaden your understanding of how the the small band of early Christians lived, were persecuted, willingly sacrificed their lives as
- [Contact](https://earlychurchhistory.org/home-4/home-4/contact-4/) - Subscribe below to receive new article releases
- [What Is St. Paul's Third Heaven?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/what-is-st-pauls-third-heaven/) - When Paul says that he went to the third heaven, he means that he went to “the place where God dwells” in religious cosmology.
- [Origin of New Years & Our Calendar](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/origin-of-new-years-our-calendar/) - Caesar wanted the new calendar to begin with his rule, but the Senate won that fight and modern New Years commenced on January 1.
- [Are You Left-Handed—Like the Benjamites?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/are-you-left-handed-like-the-benjamites/) - "Among all these (Benjamite) soldiers there were seven hundred....who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.” Judges 20:16
- [Evodias Named Followers of Christ "Christians"](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/evodias-named-followers-of-christ-christians/) - It is agreed that the first Bishop of Antioch Evodias gave the name “Christians”, meaning “followers of Christ,” to the growing Christian community in Antioch
- [Peter's Home in Capernaum Found](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/peters-home-in-capernaum-found/) - Archaeologists have found in 1968 the ruins of a large house in ancient Capernaum believed to be the home of Peter from the 1st century AD.
- [Eve — Actual "Mother of All Living"](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/eve-actual-mother-of-all-living/) - One can clearly see that Eve’s X chromosome is in females (XX) AND in males (XY)—she lives on as “the mother of ALL living.”
- [Climate Change & Biblical Ephesus](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/climate-change-ephesus/) - Over many centuries the silt of the Kaystros River surrounded the city of Ephesus, gradually causing the whole coastline to move farther west.
- [Apostle "Doubting Thomas" and India](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/apostle-doubting-thomas-and-india/) - There is a lot of clear evidence from Christians in India that Thomas went all the way to India from Palestine. How did Thomas born in the early 1st century AD and died in 72 AD get to India? 
- [The Death of Jesus' Brother James](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/the-death-of-jesus-brother-james/) - There were two Jameses: James the Just (brother of Jesus) who was beaten to death with a fuller’s club; and the other James (brother of John) who was beheaded.
- [Languages Jesus Spoke](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/languages-jesus-spoke/) - It is absurd to think that Jesus only spoke Aramaic. Greek was the universal language in His time and He travelled in and out of the cities of the Middle East.
- [Story of Abigail and David](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/story-of-abigail-and-david/) - This is the story as told in the Bible about King David and a woman named Abigail who was married to a man named Nabal.
- [Masks in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/masks-in-the-ancient-world/) - Ancient masks were made of a variety of things: gold, wood, precious stones and often ornamented with fake human hair and certain animal parts.
- [Fish & Bread at Early Church Communions](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/fish-bread-at-early-church-communions/) - The Fractio Panis fresco is the clearest example we have in catacomb art of the ritual of the Eucharist in the first one hundred years of the Church in Rome.
- [Gardens and the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/gardens-and-the-2nd-law-of-thermodynamics/) - "Don't you just hate the Second Law of Thermodynamics? It messes everything up."— Article from book, Pocket Full Of Posies, by Sandra Sweeny Silver
- [Stories & Tales From the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/stories-tales-from-the-ancient-world/) - All of these ancient stories have a battle between Good and Evil, between the righteous and the unrighteous—an obvious popular theme in the ancient world.
- [Solomon's Gold in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/solomons-gold-in-the-bible/) - Central Banks added nearly 32 tons of Gold to Reserves in April of 2020—the same amount Solomon added to his coffers thousands of years ago.
- [Jesus' Suggestions for Dinner Parties](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/jesus-suggestions-for-dinner-parties/) - "When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed".
- [Roman Gladiators and Their Lovers](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/roman-gladiators-and-their-lovers/) - The Roman crowd loved the superstar gladiators. So did the women.
- [Ancient Legal Documents in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/ancient-legal-documents-in-the-bible/) - This following legal sale of property took place in c.588-586 BC during the Siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The prophet Jeremiah had prophesied to the Jews and to their King Zedekiah in Judea for years that If they did not repent, the Babylonians will come and take them into Exile. They did not repent.
- [Legal Contracts in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/legal-contracts-in-the-ancient-world/) - Samples of various types of contracts from ancient times.
- [Dentists in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/dentists-in-the-ancient-world/) - Some of the first known dentists were the Iron Age Etruscans in central Italy.
- [Rahab The Prostitute's House in Jericho](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/rahab-the-prostitutes-house-in-jericho/) - Many do not know the story of the prostitute Rahab who saved Joshua’s Jewish spies from the hands of the King in Jericho.
- [The Reluctant Moses](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/the-reluctant-moses/) - “Reluctant” is defined as: “feeling or showing aversion, hesitation, or unwillingness reluctant to get involved.”
- [Jesus As The Logos/The Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/jesus-as-the-logos-the-bible/) - When John wrote “In the beginning was the word,” he was saying that Christ was the incarnation of God Himself and the WORD God spoke to create everything.
- [The Conversion of Saint Augustine](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/the-conversion-of-saint-augustine/) - Augustine’s Confessions, written in Latin, was finished in c. 400. It includes the autobiography of his sin-plagued youth and his conversion to Christ.
- [Eunuchs in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/eunuchs-in-the-bible/) - Most cultures in the ancient world had men whom they castrated and appointed “officials.” They were castrated to have no distractions from the King’s business.
- [How Many Places Did Jesus Visit?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/how-many-places-did-jesus-visit/) - The answer to the question, “How many places did Jesus visit?” starts with Jesus’ birth in BETHLEHEM and the family flight to EGYPT. His life was one of TRAVEL.
- [The Sator Square](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/the-romanrotas-square/) - One of the most interesting and ingenious early 1st century Christian symbols is what is called The Sator Square or The Rotas Square.
- [Lapsi—Christians Who "Lapse/Abandon" Their Faith](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/lapsi-christians-who-lapse-abandon-their-faith/) - Those who avoided martyrdom and other forms of torture by publicly renouncing their faith in Christ were called lapsi meaning “to fall away.” They had lapsed from the faith.
- [The Biblical Caduceus—Symbol of Medicine](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/the-biblical-caduceus-symbol-of-medicine/) - A caduceus is a staff from ancient times which shows one or two serpents coiled around a staff. Its symbol is a medical one. The word itself means “herald.”
- [Slaughter of the Theban Legion —  C. 286 AD](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/slaughter-of-the-theban-legion-c-286-ad/) - It is against the background of the historic persecution of Egyptian Christians and of the persecution at home in Thebes that their story should be read. 
- [The Famous Letters From Lachish](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/the-famous-letters-from-lachish/) - Lachish, an ancient city (now a park in southern Israel) has a very long history—a history of building Lachish/then destruction of Lachish. Lachish is mentioned in the book of Joshua in the Bible. Joshua (c.1300’s BC) was in command of the wandering Jews after the death of Moses. He fiercely fought for Canaan, the Promised
- [Self-Absorption & The Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/self-absorption-the-bible/) - A person who, like Narcissus, is self-absorbed; “has excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance.”
- [Decline of the Pagan World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/decline-of-the-pagan-world/) - When the practices of the few in darkness become the accepted common currency of a culture in daylight, that civilization is in its dotage.
- [The Ancient Jews' Sins & Exiles](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/the-ancient-jews-sins-exiles/) - God sent the prophet Jeremiah to warn the southern tribe, Judah, about its coming Exile to Babylon in 586 BC.
- [Ancient Laments for Destroyed Cities](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/ancient-laments-for-destroyed-cities/) - An anonymous poet wrote a lament in eleven songs recounting the terrible events which took place during and after the fall of their beloved city of Ur.
- [Destruction of Jerusalem, c. 586 BC—Eyewitness Account](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/destruction-of-jerusalem-c-586-bc-eyewitness-account/) - Jeremiah gives us an up-close, eyewitness description of what happened in January of 587 BC when Nebuchadnezzar and his army began the Siege of Jerusalem.
- [Faith or Works in the New Testament](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/faith-or-works-in-the-new-testament/) - Throughout the Old and New Testaments God’s primary message is inward Faith not outward Works.
- [Prostitutes in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/prostitutes-in-the-ancient-world/) - The first mention of prostitution in the Bible is the fascinating story of Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar. (Genesis 38)
- [Ancient Jewish Synagogues & Gentiles](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/ancient-jewish-synagogues-gentiles/) - The Jews’ synagogues and Gentiles who worshipped with them all over the Roman world were a springboard for launching the news of the resurrected Jesus.
- [Arabs & Jews Agree — Cyrus is Great](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/arabs-jews-agree-cyrus-is-great/) - The Arabs and the Jews have not agreed on very much since c. 2000 BC. The two sons of Father Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac, have been fighting ever since Abraham chose Isaac, the father of the Jews, rather than his first son Ishmael, father of the Arabs, to inherit the Eretz, the Land. But they
- [What is the Holy Grail—And Where is it?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/what-is-the-holy-grail-and-where-is-it/) - Many times over the centuries the Holy Grail has been "discovered".
- [Voting in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/voting-in-the-ancient-world/) - Originally, candidates for many official positions were chosen by lot. Certain men were required to raise their hands on a YEA vote and then on a NAYE Vote.
- [Christmas Day With The Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/christmas-day-with-the-bible/) - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders."
- [Naming Babies in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/naming-babies-in-the-ancient-world/) - Throughout our long history, names for children always carried meanings which parents wished or hoped for their sons and daughters. 
- [Nebuchadnezzar's Insanity—What Was It?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/nebuchadnezzars-insanity/) - The insanity of the great Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar has been a mystery for thousands of years. It is recorded in the 500’s BC in the book of Daniel.
- ["Stirring of Water" in the Pool of Bethesda](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/stirring-of-water-in-the-pool-of-bethesda/) - What caused the “stirring of the water” in the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem in c. 20’s AD?
- [Curse Words/Expletives From the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/curse-words-expletives-from-the-bible/) - For many generations in the English world we have used words from the Bible in a corrupt way in order to express anger, frustration, annoyance or just to be “cool.” Jesus said: “But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth,
- [Sayings From the Bible in the 21st Century](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/sayings-from-the-bible-in-the-21st-century/) - Many in the 21st century know and use these Biblical sayings and are not aware they are from the Bible almost verbatim. This writer could have gone on and on, but just wanted people to KNOW that even 2,000 (New Testament) to 5,000 (Old Testament) years ago they were written down and have had “staying power.”
- [Movies With Biblical Titles](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/movies-with-biblical-titles/) - "Apocalypse Now” (1979)—The Greek word apokálypsis (meaning in English is “revelation/to pull the curtain away from.”) The last book in the New Testament is called Revelation or Apocalypse. English-speakers often refer to catastrophic events as “”apocalyptic.” “Lilies of The Field" (1963)—“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they
- [Languages Spoken at Pentacost](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/languages-spoken-at-pentacost/) - “Xenolalia” is “the ability to speak in a language which one has not learned.” The “rushing mighty wind” at Pentecost helped launch the Christian movement. 
- [Riots in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/riots-in-the-ancient-world/) - Riots in cities have been described since ancient times.
- [Ancient Roman Army's Maniple Formation](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/ancient-roman-armys-maniple-formation/) - It was c. 315 BC when Rome was conquering all of Italy that their phalanxes were transformed into the maniple formation.
- [The Roman Fighting Season](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/the-roman-fighting-season/) - The ancient world, including Rome, had a “fighting season” (May - Oct) with no freezing temperatures—a time when they could fight and have a chance to win.
- [The Ark of the Covenant](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/the-ark-of-the-covenant/) - When the Babylonian Empire conquered the Israelites in 597 B.C., the Ark vanished from history. Whether it was destroyed, captured, or hidden –nobody knows.
- [Drug Use in Ancient Times](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/drug-use-in-ancient-times/) - Hippocrates (460-357 BC), the “father of medicine,” acknowledged opium’s usefulness as a narcotic in The Corpus, a collection of 70 medical works.
- [Viruses in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/viruses-in-the-ancient-world/) - This article provides proof that viruses causing polio, leprosy, small pox, measles and other diseases have been around for thousands of years ago.
- [Clay Tablets of Ebla—The Hebrews](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/clay-tablets-of-ebla-the-hebrews/) - The discovery of Ebla and its Tablets is indication of a wide-spread ancient belief in One God and the Creation Story. 
- [Archaeological Proofs of Bible Events](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/archaeological-proofs-of-bible-events/) - The illustrations in this article attest to the veracity (conformity to facts) of the Bible.
- [Rocks & Stones in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/rocks-stones-in-the-bible/) - Jesus saw Himself and He is described in the Old and New Testaments as the “Cornerstone” upon which ALL rests.
- [Herod the Great's Death](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/herod-the-greats-death/) - We begin Herod’s death with Eusebius’ Church History Book...
- [Roman Empire Worldwide Trade](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/roman-empire-worldwide-trade/) - The Romans travelled by seas a distance of 4,087 miles all the way to India where they had brisk reciprocal trade...
- [Christian Heroes Are Old Testament Jews](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/christian-heroes-are-old-testament-jews/) - The stories and heroes of the Old Testament of the Jews were and are the heroes of the Christians. The history of the Jews was and is our history, too.
- [Handshakes in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/handshakes-in-the-ancient-world/) - The mentions of “shaking hands” between people goes back to c. 1000 BC or before that.
- [Awkward Handshakes](https://earlychurchhistory.org/awkward-handshakes/)
- [The Communion Martyr—Tarsicius](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/the-communion-martyr-tarsicius/) - The Spanish Pope Damasus (c. 304-384) inscribed what happened to Tarsicius on his tomb in the Catacomb of Callixtus.
- [Dancing in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/dancing-in-the-ancient-world/) - The oldest proof we have of the existence of dancing comes from the c. 9000 year-old cave paintings in India called the Bhimbetka rock shelters.
- [I Am — The Many In One](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/i-am-the-many-in-one/) - God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.’
- [Plagues in the Medieval World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/plagues-in-the-medieval-world/) - In 1331 AD the Bubonic Plague originated in China where millions died. Fleas carried by rats spread the Plague along the Silk Road and on ships from the Orient.
- [Pagan Versus Christian War (30 - 313 AD)](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/pagan-versus-christian-war-30-313-ad/) - The final Battle between Constantine’s troops and the pagan troops took place at Milvian Bridge. Constantine won and Christians got their freedom to worship.
- [The Herods Were Arabs](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/the-herods-were-arabs/) - Genealogy and blood-lines make the point that the Herods were not Jews. They were predominately Arabs who ruled Jews under the aegis of Rome.
- [Septimius Severus Becomes a God](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/septimius-severus-becomes-a-god/) - Severus knew he was going to become a god at his death because all Emperors before him had been crowned gods.
- [Meaning of Lent & Ash Wednesday](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/meaning-of-lent-ash-wednesday/) - Beginning of 40 days of the Lenten Season corresponds with the Jews Wandering in the Wilderness for 40 years and Jesus’ 40 days of Temptation in the Wilderness.
- [Hiding Money in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/hiding-money-in-the-ancient-world/) - People have been hiding their money and treasures forever. In ancient times they often hid their valuables in the ground, in the earth.
- [Birthstones in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/birthstones-in-the-bible/) - Where in our long history do we first see 12 precious stones which our long history has eventually chosen to designate “Birth Stones?”
- [Paul the Apostle Wrote Hebrews](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/paul-the-apostle-wrote-hebrews/) - This writer believes, according to Clement of Alexandria and internal evidence, that Paul wrote Hebrews in Hebrew and Luke translated it into Greek.
- [Meaning of Names, Places & Things in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/meaning-of-names-places-things-in-the-bible/) - A list of some prominent names, places and things in the Bible and their meanings.
- [Theater in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/theater-in-the-ancient-world/) - How did plays and theaters as we know them originate? From very ancient times, man has been telling stories to people.
- [Sanitation & Health in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/sanitation-health-in-the-bible/) - Moses wrote down health laws, dictated to him by God, which were hundreds and thousands of years before they were discovered by doctors/scientists.
- [When Did Christmas Become Christmas?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/when-did-christmas-become-christmas/) - Western Christians officially began celebrating December 25 as the birth of Jesus in 336 AD.
- [What is the Kingdom of Heaven Like?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/what-is-the-kingdom-of-heaven-like/) - Jesus told many beautiful parable about what the Kingdom of Heaven was like with stories His followers would understand, if they so wished.
- [Tattoos in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/tattoos-in-the-ancient-world/) - Because of the Ice Man, we know that men, especially, have always had tattoos for at least thousands of years or more.
- [The Deluge as a Biblical Symbol](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/the-deluge-as-a-biblical-symbol/) - Few modern believers automatically connect Noah’s story to baptism. The early Christians did. There are many representations of Noah in the catacombs.
- [Levi (Matthew) the Tax Collector](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/levi-matthew-the-tax-collector/) - After his conversion, Matthew left Judea and carried the Gospel to Ethiopia where he was martyred at the altar of a small church he had started.
- [Conversation of Job in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/conversation-of-job-in-the-bible/) - The book of Job in the Bible is a profound book on human suffering and man’s struggle with good and evil, with self and God and with self-righteousness and sin.
- [Ancient Roman Roads](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/ancient-roman-roads/) - Roman roads were built to move conquering armies and to facilitate communications and supplies from one end of Rome’s vast empire to its most remote frontiers.
- [Origin of Torah in Septuagint](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/origin-of-torah-in-septuagint/) - The Septuagint (Latin septuaginta, which means 70) so-named because of the 70 (or 72) Jewish translators of the Hebrew Torah into Koine Greek in Alexandria, Egypt in the 200’s BC.Yosef ben Matityahu (left), his Jewish name, is known as Flavius Josephus to most Westerners. Josephus is best known for his Antiquities of the Jews and
- [Pliny's Letter To Trajan About Christians](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/plinys-letter-to-trajan-about-christians/) - Pliny the Younger (61—c.113 AD), the Roman governor of Bithynia et Pontus (now in modern Turkey) wrote a letter to Roman Emperor Trajan c.112 AD and asked for counsel on dealing with the early Christians. “It is my custom, Sir, to refer to you in all cases where I do not feel sure, for who
- [Jesus, Son of King David, on the Cross](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/jesus-son-of-king-david-on-the-cross/) - Matthew begins his Gospel: "A record of the origin of Jesus Christ, the son of David” (Matthew 1:1)... “Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed (Jesus) cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’” (Matthew 21:9 - on what we call Palm Sunday)In Luke 1:32, the angel Gabriel in announcing to Mary
- [Beards in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/beards-in-the-ancient-world/) - Written on an English barber’s poll in the 1800’s: "Rove not from pole to pole, but step in here, Where nought excels the shaving but—the beer.” The Stone Age lasted maybe a millennium until man discovered iron, copper and other metals. It is logical, but not proven, that Stone Age men would prune their beards. It
- [Long or Short Ending in Mark?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/long-or-short-ending-in-mark/) - “This ivory likely decorated the cover of a Gospel book. The abbreviated Latin inscription refers to the opening lines of Mark’s Gospel: ‘I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness.’ The miniature church resembles surviving monuments in Cologne. A former owner’s stamp is to the right of the desk at which Mark sits.”
- [The Word "Amen" in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/the-word-amen-in-the-bible/) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq9yt0RXTww April 14, 1828 Noah Webster (1758-1843) published An American Dictionary of the English Language. In his preface he states his purpose for writing his voluminous dictionary was: “It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although
- [Emperor Nero's Golden House](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/emperor-neros-golden-house/) - Guess what Emperor Nero (37—68) did after he had burned down Rome in 64 AD? CLICK HERE for article on Nero the Arsonist He immediately started to build himself a “home” and grounds. He confiscated large tracts of aristocrat’s land and built over the ruins of a large part of Rome’s ashes. The Romans were
- [Jesus & the Constant Crowds](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/jesus-the-constant-crowds/) - “While they (Mary and Joseph) were there (in Bethlehem), the time came for the baby to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the
- [Origen's Castration](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/origens-castration/) - “For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.” Matthew 19:12 (KJV) Before the Edict
- [The Peutinger Map](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/the-peutinger-map/) - “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’’’ Jeremiah 6:16 The eleven sheets of the ancient Peutinger Map (Tabula Peutingeriana) are in the Austrian National Library in Vienna, Austria. At 22 feet
- [Incest of Agrippa II and Berenice](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/incest-of-agrippa-ii-and-berenice/) - Agrippa Junior and his sister Berenice were two of the five children born to Agrippa I and his wife Cypros. Their father, though inheritor of Herod’s throne, was a wastrel who dragged his family all over the Middle East from pillar to post trying to escape his debtors. The men in the Herod dynasty were
- [Early Roman Gold Glass](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/early-roman-gold-glass/) - The famous mask of King Tut (Egyptian Pharaoh 1341—1323 BC) is covered in gold leaf/foil. Gold leaf has been created and used for thousands of years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALNMn6DGQJg Modern Technique for making Sandwich Gold Glass Objects Gold sandwich glass or gold glass was an ancient technique for fixing a layer of gold leaf embellished with a
- [The Bible is Accurate — Manuscript Evidence](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/the-bible-is-accurate-manuscript-evidence/) - Do we believe the Bible we have is true to its original meanings? YES, we have manuscripts from the time of its writing all the way up to our own time.
- [Diocletian Versus the Christians](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/diocletian-versus-the-christians/) - This article will not be sprinkled with images. No images could describe the last Great Persecution (aka Diocletian’s Persecution 303—313) of our early Christian brothers and sisters.. The Christian historian Eusebius (269-339) who was eyewitness to this last great persecution records: “I myself was there when this was happening....to luminaries in Palestine and those in
- [Coins in Jesus' Time](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/coins-in-jesus-time/) - The first part of the word “Tetris” comes from the Greek word “tetra” meaning the number 4. The goal of the video game Tetris is to drop blocks of four into a playing field to create lines. This video game, created by Russian Alexey Pajitnov in 1984, is the best-selling video of all time with
- [All Christians Are Slaves](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/all-christians-are-slaves/) - In the 1st century AD Christianity introduced an entirely new view of slaves and slavery into the pagan world.
- [Jesus Uses Spit To Heal](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/jesus-uses-spit-to-heal/) - “As (Jesus) went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it
- [Jesus and the Pharisees](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/jesus-and-the-pharisees/) - “One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law (Scribes) were sitting there. They had come (to observe Jesus) from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat
- [A Dinner Party in Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/a-dinner-party-in-ancient-rome/) - Mankind has had dinner parties ever since the cave men, women and children gathered with their friends around a friendly fire roasting their meats.
- [Ancient Corinth—A Symbol of Sin](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/ancient-corinth-a-symbol-of-sin/) - Paul the Apostle wrote two letters to the back-slidden Church in Corinth encouraging them, often sarcastically, to get back on the Christian track of good doctrine and good behavior. CLICK HERE for article on Paul's Sarcasm Strabo (c. 63 BC-c. 24 AD), describing Corinth in Paul’s day, said it was a wealthy port city not
- [Who Were the Desert Fathers?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/who-were-the-desert-fathers/) - The Desert Fathers emerged in Egypt. Perhaps as early as the late 200’s AD, these Egyptian Christian men left the pagan cities, the persecutions and the distractions of life to live as hermits in the Sahara Desert. Their purpose was to live a solitary life solely dedicated to God. A wealthy, young Christian man, Anthony
- [Jesus Versus Jewish Law](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/jesus-versus-jewish-law/) - “The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were unclean, that is, unwashed. The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition
- [Saint Paul's Sarcasm](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/saint-pauls-sarcasm/) - “The Duchess of Orleans (1644–1670) relates that the irreverent old calumniator, Marshal Villeroi (1644—1730), who in his youth had known St. Francis de Sales (1567—1622) said, on hearing him called saint: ‘I am delighted to hear that Monsieur de Sales is a saint. He was fond of saying indelicate things, and used to cheat at
- [What Comes Out of Your Mouth](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/what-comes-out-of-your-mouth/) - Matthew 12:36, 37 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Colossians 3:8 “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from
- [Living & Eating in Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/living-eating-in-ancient-rome/) - Martial chides a man who invited him to dinner because his fare is “too rich for his blood” and he is unable able to return such a sumptuous dinner.
- [Exotic Animal Business in Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/exotic-animal-business-in-ancient-rome/) - Many people were involved in the business of procuring exotic animals for the popular wild animal hunts in the Colosseum.
- [Slaves Were "Lifeless Tools" in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/slaves-were-lifeless-tools-in-the-ancient-world/) - During the infant years of the Christian faith, society was divided into two classes: slave and free. All ancient civilizations had slaves.
- [Shoes In The Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/shoes-in-the-ancient-world/) - All Roman footwear was flat-soled. The Romans essentially always wore a variation of the open sandal, each with its own name.
- [Eve in the Garden of Eden](https://earlychurchhistory.org/eve-in-the-garden-of-eden/) - Adam and Eve's life in the Garden of Eden was beyond happy. It was idyllic. Then, one perfect day the serpent Satan asked Eve how she was doing.
- [Saint Paul & Seneca Letters](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/saint-paul-seneca-letters/) - According to a long tradition, Seneca allegedly wrote 8 letters to Paul the Apostle and Paul wrote 6 letters to Seneca.
- [Vinegar in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/vinegar-in-the-ancient-world/) - When an ancient wine got old/stale, it soured. Rather than throw it away, people used that sour wine to flavor their salads and other dishes as we do today.
- [The Ancient Chinese Jesus Sutras](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/the-ancient-chinese-jesus-sutras/) - The Chinese Jesus Sutras, found in the Magao Cave in 1900, are astoundingly Biblical but some Buddhist and Taoist thought and phrases are found in the Sutras.
- [The Nestorian Stele Content](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/the-nestorian-stele-content/) - The Nestorian Stele entitled 大秦景教流行中國碑 was erected in China in 781. It describes the existence of Christian communities in several cities in northern China.
- [Christian Symbols on Ancient Objects](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/christian-symbols-on-ancient-objects/) - After the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, giving Christians the right to worship Christ, Christian symbols started to appear openly on many objects.
- [Magic Square at Gaudi's Sagrada Basilica](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/magic-square-at-gaudis-sagrada-basilica/) - Subirachs' Magic Square, fashioned in 1987, is next to a sculpture in the Sagrada Familia of Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- [Symbol of Christ as Good Shepherd](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/symbol-of-christ-as-good-shepherd/) - The early Christians artistically used the Biblical metaphor of the Good Shepherd to evince the redeeming work of Christ and of His care for believers.
- [Rebus & Ancient Writings](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/rebus-ancient-writings/) - The first writing and earliest written records are on small clay tablets from the Mesopotamian city of Uruk.
- [Aesop and His Wisdom](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/aesop-and-his-wisdom/) - Aesop was a Greek slave and storyteller appreciated for his stories and morals in ancient times as well as down through the ages to our time.
- [Quiz Answers](https://earlychurchhistory.org/home-4/home-4/answers/) - 1. There were only 8 people in Noah’s Ark. True—Genesis 6:18—“But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark--you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. I Peter 3:20—“…to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the
- [Brilliant Quotes From Our Ancient Past](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/brilliant-quotes-from-our-ancient-past/) - Quotes from Aristotle, Julius Caesar, Solomon, John, Marcus Aurelius, Horace, Moses, Joshua, Paul, Luke, Augustus Caesar, Plato, David, Isaiah, Augustine.
- [Martyrdom of Ignatius of Antioch](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/martyrdom-of-ignatius-of-antioch/) - Ignatius, the Christian Bishop of Syrian Antioch, was torn to pieces by lions in the Colosseum as 87,000 Romans approved and applauded.
- [Playing Ball in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/playing-ball-in-the-ancient-world/) - The ancient Chinese sport called Cuju meaning “kick ball” seemed to be similar to our football or soccer.
- [Letter Writing In The Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/letter-writing-in-the-ancient-world/) - Since the beginning of man, people have always wanted to communicate. And they wanted to communicate important things in their lives. The prehistoric cave drawings in Altimira in Spain and Lascaux in France cry out the lives and the being of those extremely remote people. The hands on the walls say, “I did this drawing.
- [Mary's Perpetual Virginity & Jesus' Brothers](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/marys-perpetual-virginity-jesus-brothers/) - Many in the Catholic (meaning in Greek “universal, general”) faith believe Mary never had conjugal relations with her husband Joseph after she birthed Jesus.
- [What Muslims Believe About Jesus](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/what-muslims-believe-about-jesus/) - Muslims believe that Jesus will return during the End Times to fight against the false messiah at the Battle of Armageddon.
- [Jude's Grandsons— Grand Nephews of Jesus](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/judes-grandsons-grand-nephews-of-jesus/) - Following Jesus' Resurrection, there were many relatives of Jesus and His family who were leaders in the Church because they were “related” to Jesus.
- [Ancient Vegetarians](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/ancient-vegetarians/) - The Bible talks intermittently in the Old and the New Testament about those people who eat animals and those who eat only vegetables.
- [One Sabbath Day in the Life of Jesus](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/one-sabbath-day-in-the-life-of-jesus/) - “The Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath....Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
- [Caesar Augustus and His Deeds](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/caesar-augustus-and-his-deeds/) - In 14 AD when Caesar Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, died at age 75, Jesus of Nazareth was in his late teens (born c. 6-4 BC). Augustus aka Octavian (birth name) was c. 57 when Jesus was born and had been Caesar since he was 36 when he began his reign in 27
- [Emperor Caracalla and His Baths](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/emperor-caracalla-and-his-baths/) - In Ankara, the capital of Turkey, are the ruins of a Roman bath built by Emperor Caracalla and dedicated to Asclepios, the god of healing.
- [The Actor—Saint Genesius](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/the-actor-saint-genesius/) - Genesius became the patron of actors, dancers, musicians and comedians— but also the patron saint of thieves, epileptics, printers, torture victims and lawyers.
- [Origin of Shorthand Writing](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/origin-of-shorthand-writing/) - If Tiro in the first century BC had figured out a way to write quickly in Latin, it is probable that previous cultures had done the same with their languages.
- [Saint George of Dragon-Slayer Fame](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/saint-george-of-dragon-slayer-fame/) - Due to the medieval Golden Legend, George has become the archetype of all who through holy physical prowess save and slay.
- [Christian Frescoes in Roman Catacombs](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/christian-frescoes-in-roman-catacombs/) - Christians in the catacombs painted the heroes of their faith on the rough walls of the underground tombs as examples of courage in times of mortal danger.
- [The Staurogram](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/the-staurogram/) - Staurograms serve as the earliest images of Jesus on the cross, predating other Christian crucifixion imagery by 200 years.
- [Doctors in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/doctors-in-the-bible/) - Dr. Luke’s constant care of his “patient” Paul demonstrates that “good physicians” were always there for people in the ancient world.
- [Christian Inscriptions in Roman Catacombs](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/christian-inscriptions-in-roman-catacombs/) - To enter the world of catacomb inscriptions and of early Christian symbols is to enter a very rich, deeply intellectual and poetic world of meanings.
- [Archimedes' Syracusia Ship & Noah's Ark](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/archimedes-syracusia-ship-noahs-ark/) - The Syracusisa (designed by Archimedes in c. 240 BC) was three decks high and may compared to a modern first-class cruise ship.
- [Jesus Said Grace Before Eating](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/jesus-said-grace-before-eating/) - It was only when Jesus “gave thanks” for the meal, that His disciples recognized they had been talking to and eating with the Resurrected One.
- [What About Shoes in the Bible?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/what-about-shoes-in-the-bible/) - There is no word for shoes in the Old Testament, but there is a word for going without shoes, being barefoot—Yahef, "to be without shoes."
- [Jesus Reclined To Dine](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/jesus-reclined-to-dine/) - Jesus and His Apostles, living in the days of the Roman Empire, ate the Last Supper in this Roman manner—leaning on each other on couches.
- [How Did Jesus Spend the Last Week of His Life?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/how-did-jesus-spend-the-last-week-of-his-life/) - The following chronology of the last week in Jesus’ life is taken from the Jews for Jesus website.
- [Easter—And the Gregorian Calendar](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/easter-and-the-gregorian-calendar/) - By the 1500’s both the Church’s lunar calendar and the Julian calendar were off kilter and Easter was being celebrated on the wrong day.
- [Metal Detector Find—Roman Coins & Lost Emperor of Britain](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/ancient-coins-metal-detector-find/) - In 286 AD a Roman commander of the fleet in the English Channel named Carausius went rogue and declared himself Emperor of the British Empire.
- [An Anchor—Potent Christian Symbol](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/an-anchor-potent-christian-symbol/) - The author of Hebrews uses the anchor as a symbol, a metaphor of hope and stability for the Christian in the storms of life and during the death of life.
- [Life is a Vapor](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/life-is-a-vapor/) - James 4:14 encourages us to look at our life as a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 
- [Christian Martyrs—Now](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/christian-martyrs-now/) - In the 20th century AD there were more Christians killed because of their faith in the Jewish Messiah than in all the centuries of Christian persecution combined.
- [Casting Lots in the Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/casting-lots-in-the-bible/) - Perhaps the most famous casting of lots in the Bible is the casting of lots by the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus.
- [The Dead Sea & The Bible](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/the-dead-sea-the-bible/) - Because it is 9.6 times as salty as oceans, one floats/not swims, on the lake and neither fish nor plants can survive in this salinity. So it is a dead Sea.
- [Sextus Julius Africanus—Why Did The Magi Come ?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/sextus-julius-africanus-why-did-the-magi-come/) - There is an interesting account of the reason for the coming of the Magi entitled Narrative Of Events Happening In Persia On The Birth Of Christ.
- [Dice in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/dice-in-the-ancient-world/) - The ancient Romans had two games played with dice: Tali and Tesserae. The wealthy had marble boards encrusted with jewels.
- [The Julian Calendar & Julius Caesar](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/the-julian-calendar-julius-caesar/) - Even though his time of infallible power was brief, Julius Caesar, like Jesus Christ, became a man after whom time is computed.
- [St. Peter's Tomb Discovered!](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/st-peters-tomb-discovered/) - In Pope Pius XII’s Christmas message on December 23, 1950, he startled the world with the announcement that the tomb of Peter had been found.
- [St. Paul Went To Spain?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/st-paul-went-to-spain/) - We have no Biblical evidence that Paul left Rome after his first imprisonment and went to Spain, but we do have ancient texts that either imply that he did.
- [St. Joseph's Dreams & The Birth of Jesus](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/st-josephs-dreams-the-birth-of-jesus/) - The heavenly source of some dreams continues in Matthew where he takes his biography of Jesus’ birth from His conception on to Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
- [Pleasure Gardens in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/pleasure-gardens-in-the-ancient-world/) - There have ALWAYS been gardens. Mankind was born in a garden, the fabled Garden of Eden.
- [Lucullus and His Feasts](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/lucullus-and-his-feasts/) - Even though Lucullus has been dead over 2,000 years, his name still lives through the adjective “Lucullan” meaning “extremely luxurious, especially of food.”
- [Jewish Martyrs For Christ](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/jewish-martyrs-for-christ/) - The first martyrs for Christ were all Jews who had accepted Jesus of Nazareth as the long-awaited (Hebrew) Mashiach, the Messiah.
- [Acta Diurna—Rome's Daily Newspaper](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/acta-diurna-romes-daily-newspaper/) - A daily papyrus newspaper, the Acta Diurna (Daily Events), was distributed in locations in Rome and around the Baths. Its motto was “Publicize And Propagate."
- [Emperor Nero The Arsonist](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/emperor-nero-the-arsonist/) - In the aftermath of the Great Fire, the Roman people suspected ruler Nero. The palace servants spread the word that “the emperor had fiddled while Rome burned.”
- [Ancient Fishmongers](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/ancient-fishmongers/) - A fishmonger, one who sold fish, has always had a bad smell about his name.
- [Ancient Gourmands & Big Eaters](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/ancient-gourmands-big-eaters/) - The etymological origin of “‘gluttony” is “overeater.” The definition of “glutton” in the Oxford English Dictionary is: “Habitual greed or excess in eating.”
- [Twins in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/twins-in-the-ancient-world/) - The first twins in the Bible were Jacob and his twin Esau. They were born around the late 1990’s BC to Abraham’s son Isaac and his 2nd cousin Rebekah.
- [Colors & Dyes For Clothing in Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/colors-dyes-for-clothing-in-ancient-rome/) - Only the wealthy and upper class Romans (c.10% of the population) could wear colored clothing. The normal Roman typically wore plain white togas or tunics.
- [Ancient Game of Troy](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/ancient-game-of-troy/) - The Troy Game was passed on from generation to generation and went from a funeral ceremony event to a feature at the games in the Circus Maximus.
- [Julius Caesar's Secret Code](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/julius-caesars-secret-code/) - To frustrate attempts to intercept his military correspondence, Julius Caesar invented a secret substitution code called “The Caesar Shift” or Caesar Cipher.
- [Mosaics in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/mosaics-in-the-ancient-world/) - It seems to have been the Greeks in the 400’s BC who refined mosaic art to include people, animals and events imitating paintings rather than designs.
- [Early Christian Sculptures](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/early-christian-sculptures/) - Early Christian sculptors followed the Greco-Roman example of their time in their works. Rather than imitate Greek myths, they took inspiration from the Bible.
- [Women's Lib in Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/womens-lib-in-ancient-rome/) - "The very moment they begin to be your equals, they will be your superiors.” Livy (234-149 BC) on women in Rome, History 34.2.3
- [Sports Fans in Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/sports-fans-in-ancient-rome/) - The Romans were as fanatically devoted to their sports teams (Factions) as people today are devoted to their's.
- [Roman Games & The Caesars](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/roman-games-the-caesars/) - Suetonius' accounts of the fascinating aspects of the lives of the Caesars and the games they enjoyed and sponsored.
- [Very Ancient Sewing Needles](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/very-ancient-sewing-needles/) - There is evidence that 50,000 years ago man sewed his clothes with an actual sewing needle.
- [Ancient Ossuaries Uncover Biblical Truths](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/ancient-ossuaries-uncover-biblical-truths/) - “All our evidence indicates that we have in this tomb the earliest records of Christianity....bearing on the historicity of Jesus and the crucifixion.”
- [Demons Yesterday & Today](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/demons-yesterday-today/) - The New Testament clearly states that Jesus drove out demons from possessed people and He was tempted by the devil in the Wilderness.
- [The Origins of Catapults](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/the-origins-of-catapults/) - The Roman Onager (known as the "Wild Ass" because of its powerful recoil and kick) catapulted 75 lb. stones over 1,300 feet
- [Story of Ben Hur & Lew Wallace](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/story-of-ben-hur-lew-wallace/) - Lew Wallace published the book Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ in 1880. He was a Union General in the Civil War, a lawyer, politician and author.
- [Eruption Of Mt. Vesuvius—August 24, 79 AD](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/eruption-of-mt-vesuvius-august-24-79-ad/) - Two ancient accounts of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius on August 24, 79 AD.
- [The "Testimonium Flavianum Question" (My Two Cents)](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/the-testimonium-flavianum-question-my-two-cents/) - Flavius Josephus has been maligned in certain academic circles ever since the early 1500’s for a paragraph he wrote in the First Century AD....
- [Ancient Roman Military — Nothing New](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/ancient-roman-military-nothing-new/) - The Roman army that conquered its known world did not have any new military inventions. They conquered through determination and fortitude.
- [Jerusalem 70 AD — The Roman Army Arrives](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/jerusalem-70-ad-the-roman-army-arrives/) - The Jewish historian Josephus was present during the Battle for Jerusalem in 70 AD when the Roman army first entered Jerusalem to do battle with the Jews.
- [Saint Agnes—The Little Lamb](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/saint-agnes-the-little-lamb/) - The Early Church venerated young Agnes. Agnus is the Latin word meaning “lamb, sheep.” She is frequently pictured with a little lamb in her arms or by her feet.
- [Wine in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/wine-in-the-ancient-world/) - By the 2nd century BC, the Roman winepress consisted of an upper vat where the grapes were trodden with bare feet and a deeper lower vat to receive the juices.
- [Ancient Roman Abortions & Christians](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/ancient-roman-abortions-christians/) - To ancient Romans an abortion was amoral. There was nothing in Roman law or in the Roman heart that said, “It is wrong to kill your baby in the womb.”
- [Infanticide In The Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/infanticide-in-the-ancient-world/) - Roman law, religion and the entire ethos saw nothing morally wrong with infanticide or with abandoning their newborns on dung heaps or city garbage dumps.
- [Children's Clothing In Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/childrens-clothing-in-ancient-rome/) - Roman girls wore a long plain white tunic with a leather belt. High-born Roman boys wore a tunic with a purple or red border that reached to their knees.
- [Jesus Sweats Real Blood In Gethsemane](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/jesus-sweats-real-blood-in-gethsemane/) - Could it be possible that Jesus actually sweated blood during his ordeal in Gethsemane?
- [Ancient Jews & Cleanliness](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/ancient-jews-cleanliness/) - The conception of personal cleanliness as both a prerequisite of holiness and an aid to physical fitness is central to Jewish tradition.
- [Baptism—Sprinkle, Pour, Dunk](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/baptism-sprinkle-pour-dunk/) - Serious intramural wars and the casualties and denominations that accompany such wars have been fought over the correct way to baptize.
- [Does Cleanliness Equal Godliness?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/does-cleanliness-equal-godliness/) - The idea that “being physically clean is a godly state” has persisted for thousands of years since the 2nd century AD.
- [Was Jesus Born On Christmas Day?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/was-jesus-born-on-christmas-day/) - Maybe our Christmas in December should now be celebrated as the Conception of Jesus rather than the Birth of Jesus?
- [Pagan Origins of Christmas](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/pagan-origins-of-christmas/) - I love every thing about Christmas! BUT…most everything about our Christmas is not Christian. Uh-oh.
- [When Was Jesus Born?—Calculations](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/when-was-jesus-born-calculations/) - Over the millennia, there have been many conjectures regarding the dates of Jesus’ birth, the coming of the Magi and of His death.
- [Unwrapping The Ein-Gedi Scroll](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/unwrapping-the-ein-gedi-scroll/) - The Ein Gedi scroll illumines the way Hebrew scribes copied ancient Biblical texts. The 2,000-year-old Ein Gedi text is identical to the Masoretic Text
- [Garum—The Ketchup of Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/garum-the-ketchup-of-ancient-rome/) - Ketchup originated in the far East from the Chinese word koechiap meaning “brine of fish.” Brine of Fish was GARUM, the everyday condiment of ancient Rome.
- [Ancient Roman Undergarments](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/ancient-roman-undergarments/) - Since both men and women have two legs, it would seem logical that clothes for the lower body as well as underwear would be two-legged. But that was not the norm in the ancient western world of Egypt, Greece and Rome. Flowing long togas and mid-thigh one-piece tunics were the general dress of both men
- [Togas & Tunics—3000 BC To Middle Ages](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/togas-tunics-3000-bc-to-middle-ages/) - Throughout the ancient world from the Egyptians (c. 3000 BC) all the way into the Middle Ages (c. 1350) people have always worn some form of tunics and togas.
- [Emperor Tiberius & The Resurrection Of Jesus](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/emperor-tiberius-the-resurrection-of-jesus/) - It appears Emperor Tiberius may have had a favorable impression of Jesus when he was younger and wanted the Roman Senate to declare Him a god.
- [Thanksgiving: First Foods, First Friends—1620](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/thanksgiving-first-foods-first-friends-1620/) - When the Fall harvest of corn, berries and nuts was combined with catches of fish and fowl, the Pilgrims invited the Wampanoags to a Thanksgiving to God Feast.
- [Martyr Skeletons Dressed In Jewels](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/martyr-skeletons-dressed-in-jewels/) - Catholic believers during the period of the Reformation considered the bejeweled skeletons of martyrs worthy of veneration and heavenly intercession.
- [Monte Testaccio—Ancient Rome's Garbage Dump](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/monte-testaccio-ancient-romes-garbage-dump/) - Monte Testaccio is a 150 foot high artificial hill, spans an entire city block and was ancient Rome’s garbage dump.
- [C - Sections In The Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/c-sections-in-the-ancient-world/) - One of the earliest records of a child being “cut out of the womb” is found in the Chinese Records of the Grand Historian. So Caesarean delivery is ancient.
- [The Chi Rho Symbol](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/the-chi-rho-symbol/) - The Chi Rho is a Christian symbol for “Christ” written by superimposing the “Chi (X)” and “Rho (P)” which are the first two letters in Greek for “CHRist.”
- [The Ipuwer Papyrus—Were The 10 Biblical Plagues Real?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/the-ipuwer-papyrus-were-the-10-biblical-plagues-real/) - The Ipuwer Papyrus contains many of the plagues on Egypt which led to the Exodus described in the Bible.
- [Strabo On Moses—Moses Really Existed](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/strabo-on-moses-moses-really-existed/) - It is often posited by some writers that Moses and others in the Old and the New Testaments were fictitious people. That is, of course, not true.
- [King Mithridates and Poisoning](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/king-mitridates-and-poisoning/) - No doubt the prime reason Mithridates took regular antidotes against poisoning is because his mother, Laodice VI, had poisoned his father.
- [Historicity Of Moses & The Exodus](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/historicity-of-moses-the-exodus/) - There are extra-Biblical historical evidences that not only support the existence of Moses and the Israelites in ancient Egypt but confirm the Exodus itself.
- [Moses & The Exodus Were Real](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/moses-the-exodus-were-real/) - Tacitus is an important extra-Biblical witness for the authenticity of the Bible and of one of the pillars of the Old Testament, Moses.
- [The Lycurgus Cup—Nanotechnology in Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/the-lycurgus-cup-nanotechnology-in-ancient-rome/) - The Lycurgus Cup is the only intact example we have of what is now called “dichroic glass.” “Di-chroic” means “two-colors” in Greek.
- [About](https://earlychurchhistory.org/home-4/about/) - If you're interested in information about the early Christians, the first Christian martyrs and life in ancient Rome, you've landed in the right place.
- [Dry Cleaning in Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/dry-cleaning-in-ancient-rome/) - By the time of the early Christians and Romans in the 1st centuries AD, people took their dirty garments to “fullers,” who cleaned and restored clothes.
- [World's Oldest Christian Church](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/oldest-christian-church/) - The earliest Christian home-church, discovered by archeologists in the ancient city of Dura-Europos (in Syria), dates to c. 241 AD.
- [Why Pollen on the Shroud of Turin Proves it is Real](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/why-pollen-on-the-shroud-of-turin-proves-it-is-real/) - Did it ever occur to modern skeptics that no medieval forger would have been able to forge pollen grains and floral images on the Shroud of Turin?
- [Chrysanthus & Daria](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/chrysanthus-daria/) - A young man, Chrysanthus, and a Vestal Virgin, Daria, were two people in the third century who have been honored ever since their martyrdoms in c. 283-284.
- [Cataract Surgery in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/cataract-surgery-in-the-ancient-world/) - This article deals with the heroic and prescient attempts by ancient pagan physicians to help those with diseases of the eye, namely cataracts.
- [Amazing Skills of the Roman Soldiers](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/amazing-skills-of-the-roman-soldiers/) - The Roman soldier was not only expected to be an excellent fighter but he was required to be a competent builder, engineer and worker.
- [Did Jesus Talk With Gamaliel?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/did-jesus-talk-with-gamaliel/) - It is a chronological possibility that the young Jesus and Rabbi Gamaliel may have met in the Temple in Jerusalem and conversed together.
- [Was Gamaliel A Christian?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/was-gamaliel-a-christian/) - There is a long history in the Christian church that claims Gamaliel was a Christian. His purported remains are in the Christian Duomo in Pisa, Italy.
- [Diocles—The Most Successful Charioteer](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/diocles-the-most-successful-charioteer/) - Diocles drove his first race at age 18 (122 AD) and over the years earned the most money and fame of all the Roman Charioteers.
- [Famous Horses in Rome's Chariot Races](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/famous-horses-in-romes-chariot-races/) - The lead horse in a Roman chariot race was often as famous as the driver. Sports fans knew the breeding line and the intimate details of the horses they adored.
- [Scorpus The Charioteer](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/scorpus-the-charioteer/) - The 250,000 people who gathered in the Circus Maximus in Rome to watch the chariot races were fanatical fans. The charioteer Scorpus was one of their heros.
- [The Roman Catacombs And Me](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/the-roman-catacombs-and-me/) - Most of the frescos in the Catacombs are still visible representations of what was really meaningful to the 1st to 4th century Christians.
- [Christian Soldiers in the Ancient Roman Army](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/christian-soldiers-in-the-ancient-roman-army/) - The Roman military was a fruitful mission field for the Christian message. A Christian soldier, however, did not have divided loyalties.
- [Communion in the Early Church](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/communion-in-the-early-church/) - The celebration of the Lord’s Supper was for the early Christians an extremely solemn occasion.
- [Sebastian—Christian Soldier & Martyr](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/sebastian-christian-soldier-martyr/) - Sebastian was a powerful force for Christ in the military. Many soldiers were converted and martyred for their faith. Soon it was Sebastian’s turn.
- [Christ As The Big Fish](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/christ-as-the-big-fish/) - Nobody in extant literature took the symbol of Christ as the Big Fish further than Abercius, Bishop of Hieropolis.
- [The Fish Symbol—Ichthus](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/the-fish-symbol-ichthus/) - Of all the symbols commonly used by early Christians, the fish was the most mystic.
- [Could Ancient Sparta Defeat Ancient Rome?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/could-ancient-sparta-defeat-ancient-rome/) - The answer to the question: “Could ancient Sparta defeat ancient Rome?” is absolutely not. Sparta was in its dotage when Rome was entering its manhood.
- [Armenian Genocide](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/armenian-genocide/) - The 20th century commenced with the Massacre of the Armenian Christians beginning on April 24, 1915 and continuing in the years after World War I.
- [Herod & Herodias Affair](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/herod-herodias-affair/) - Herod Antipas and Herodias were childless but that affair/marriage would eventually lead to the death of John the Baptist.
- [King Herod & King Phraates](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/king-herod-king-phraates/) - The King of Persia, the Parthian Phraates IV (reigned 37-2 BC), was the ruler who sent the Magi to pay homage to Jesus.
- [Claudia Acte—Nero's Mistress, Secret Christian](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/claudia-acte-neros-mistress/) - We start Acte’s tale with the Roman historian Tacitus who was contemporary with the information about Nero and Acte.
- [Decline & Fall Of Civilizations](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/decline-fall-of-civilizations/) - There are definite, unmistakable harbingers of the fall of past civilizations and of the civilizations in our own time.
- [John The Baptist—His Birth Place](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/john-the-baptist-his-birth-place/) - Over three million visitors a year make the trip to Ein Karem, the small neighborhood in southwest Jerusalem where John the Baptist was born.
- [The Meaning of "Babylon"](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/the-meaning-of-babylon/) - According to the Bible, it was at prehistoric Babylon/Babel that God split mankind into different language groups so they could not understand each other.
- [Salome's Dance of Death](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/salomes-dance-of-death/) - We don't know exactly what kind of dance Salome did, but it was probably a suggestive dance similar to the belly dance, which goes back thousands of years.
- [The Roman Empire & China](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/the-roman-empire-china/) - What did the ancient Chinese know about the Romans and the Western Hemisphere?
- [Assassination of Julius Caesar—Ancient Accounts](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/assassination-of-julius-caesar-ancient-accounts/) - Thereupon they attacked him from many sides at once and wounded him to death, so that by reason of their numbers Caesar was unable to say or do anything.
- [Hadrian's Wall & Poem](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/hadrians-wall-his-poem/) - Hadrian was a wall-builder but he was, also, a devotee of the new-versus-the-old way of writing poems.
- [Tacitus On The Christians](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/tacitus-on-christians/) - Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called "Chrestians" by the populace.
- [General Patton and His Christian Faith](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/general-patton-christian-faith/) - If you ignore Patton’s Christianity, then you cannot understand how he approached challenges or how he achieved his successes, or how he shaped history.
- [The Roman Phalanx & Hannibal’s “Pincer Movement”](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/roman-phalanx-and-hannibals-pincer-movement/) - The Carthaginian Hannibal overcame Rome’s best military asset, its tight Legions, at the Battle of Cannae in August of 216 BC by using “the pincer movement."
- [The Battering Ram](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/the-battering-ram/) - The most common engine of war in the ancient world and all the way through to the Middle Ages was the battering ram.
- [Miraculous Rain Event](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/the-miraculous-rain-event/) - Marcus Aurelius recounts a miraculous incident that occurred in the city of Carnuntum while fighting the Marcommani and Quadi, German tribes.
- [Banners of Carrhae](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/deadly-banners-of-carrhae/) - 20,000 Romans died and another 10,000 were taken prisoner. Crassus himself was lured into a trap and killed, and his head was sent home to the Parthian king.
- [Jesus & John The Baptist Were Relatives](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/jesus-and-john-the-baptist/) - John the Baptist was three months older than his relative Jesus.
- [A Day In The Life Of Jesus](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/a-day-in-the-life-of-jesus/) - This day begins with Jesus out and about and the crowds are pressing in and begging Him for this or that.
- [Dogs In The Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/dogs-in-ancient-roman-world/) - Some dogs 2,000 years ago had beautiful studded collars just like we sport on our sporty dogs.
- [Taxes In The Ancient Roman World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/taxes-in-ancient-roman-world/) - The Jews saw Roman taxes as a tribute to a god they hated (Caesars were all declared gods) and as a symbol of their slavery to Rome.
- [Longevity In The Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/longevity-in-the-ancient-world/) - There is little firm information about the average life span of those who lived in the first centuries AD, but the conjecture is that it was about 35 years.
- [Doors & Gates In Biblical Times](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/doors-gates-in-biblical-times/) - Jesus used “doors” and “gates” as metaphors, analogies — “Enter through the narrow gate."
- [Trajan's Market—Ancient Rome's Mall](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/trajans-market-ancient-romes-mall/) - Trajan’s Market was the idea of engineering/architectural genius, Apollodorus of Damascus who should be called "The Father Of The Mall."
- [Poisonous Honey—An Ancient Account](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/poisonous-honey-an-ancient-account/) - In the ancient classical world, Xenophon’s book was required reading for well-educated people, Christian and pagan. “Anabasis” means “The Trip Up Country.”
- [Apicius—Author Of Ancient Roman Cookbook](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/apicius-author-of-ancient-roman-cookbook/) - T he oldest surviving European cookbook (by Apicus) describes how the upper classes of Rome ate and what spices and sauces they used to flavor their foods.
- [Begging For Bread](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/begging-for-bread/) - Bread was for those in ancient Israel and Rome a daily necessity. For most people bread was more than half the calories they consumed each day.
- [Trimalchio's Banquet](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/trimalchios-banquet/) - “Trimalchio’s Banquet” in Petronius’ Satyricon is the most complete description of the dinner parties of the super-rich in ancient Rome.
- [Hairstyles in the Ancient Roman World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/hairstyles-in-ancient-roman-world/) - Most male and female Christians, even the ancient ones, followed the hair style fashions of the age and countries in which they lived.
- [How Should Religious Women Dress?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/how-should-religious-women-dress/) - The Bible uses fashion and clothing to juxtapose a woman’s attention to her outward appearance to her inner spiritual growth. But what exactly does that mean?
- [Naval Battles In The Colosseum](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/naval-battles-in-the-colosseum/) - The most amazing spectacles of them all in the Colosseum were the naumachia, mock sea battles...reenactments on water of historical naval battles.
- [Trade In Ancient India](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/trade-in-ancient-india/) - A 1st century Egyptian writer’s account of the ancient world’s very robust commerce with India.
- [Colosseum In Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/colosseum-in-ancient-rome/) - The Colosseum, a symbol of modern Rome, was finished in 80 AD and became the main center for entertainment in Rome.
- [Gladiators In Ancient Rome](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/gladiators-in-ancient-rome/) - Gladiators in ancient Rome were usually slaves from conquered nations who were trained in a gladiator school to fight each other in the Colosseum arena.
- [The Archimedes Palimpsest](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/the-archimedes-palimpsest/) - The most famous palimpsest in modern times is the Archimedes Palimpsest—a small, 13th century, 174 page Byzantine prayer book written in Greek.
- [The Jesus Boat](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/the-jesus-boat/) - “The Jesus Boat,” so called by archaeologists, was found in 1986 on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee by two fishermen.
- [Ancient Roman Clothing](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/ancient-roman-clothing/) - An informative video-lecture about ancient Roman clothing.
- [Looting Of Iraq’s Antiquities](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/looting-of-iraqs-antiquities/) - The looting of the Baghdad Museum in 2003 was not only a looting of Iraq’s heritage, but that of the Jews and the Christians, also.
- [The Sevso Treasure](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/the-sevso-treasure/) - The Sevso Treasure is a one of the finest examples of late Roman Empire silver objects.
- [Oldest Known Christian Hymn](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/oldest-known-christian-hymn/) - The “Oxyrhnchus Hymn” is a very early example of how Christians in the early Church praised the Lord in music.
- [Christ As Pantocrator](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/christ-as-pantocrator/) - Christ as Pantocrator, meaning “Almighty, All Powerful,” is the Greek word used by Paul to describe the Lord.
- [Who Were The Magi ?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/who-were-the-magi/) - There were not three wise men. The Magi were not kings. They did not come to the manger scene and their names were not Gaspar, Melchior and Balshasar.
- [The Tetragrammaton—Yahweh](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/the-tetragrammaton-yahweh/) - The four letters of the tetragrammaton, YHWH, are found 6,828 times in the Masoretic Hebrew Old Testament. Seems God really wanted to have His Name mentioned.
- [A Mummy Mask & Mark's Gospel](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/a-mummy-mask-marks-gospel/) - If this fragment from Mark’s Gospel dates from c. 80-90 AD, it is the oldest piece of papyrus containing a part of the New Testament yet discovered.
- [Modern Martyrs in Sudan & Nigeria](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/21st-century-martyrs-in-nigeria-sudan/) - In most Muslim countries there are anti-conversion laws prohibiting a citizen from converting from Islam on penalty of imprisonment and/or death.
- [Subscribe](https://earlychurchhistory.org/home-4/home-4/contact/) - Subscribe to receive email notifications of new ECH posts.
- [Michelangelo's Pieta—Three Hidden Things](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/michelangelos-pieta-three-hidden-things/) - When he was just 24 years-old, Michelangelo carved his Pieta from one solid rock of Carrera marble. He never signed any of his works—except the Pieta.
- [Comments](https://earlychurchhistory.org/home-4/home-4/comments/) - This page is for questions or comments about ECH articles. Thank you for your interest in Early Church History.—Sandy Silver
- [A Letter by St. Jerome To Niceas](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/a-letter-by-st-jerome-to-niceas/) - Jerome and Augustine are the most prodigious writers in all of early Christianity and Jerome’s many letters make for delightful reading.
- [Letters of Paul the Apostle](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/letters-of-paul-the-apostle/) - The Apostle Paul, who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament in epistle form, employed yet expanded upon the Greco-Roman model of his day.
- [Patriarch Jacob's Well & St. Philoumenos](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/jacobs-well-st-philoumenous/) - Philoumenos was the caretaker monk at the Monastery of Jacob’s Well until his murder in 1979 by a fanatical Jewish group.
- [Peter's Daughter—The Martyr Petronilla](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/peters-daughter-the-martyr-petronilla/) - Petronilla is often identified as the daughter of the Apostle Peter. In the first and second century church, she was always considered a martyr.
- [Modern Persecution of Christians in China](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/modern-persecutions-of-christians-in-china/) - For China’s authoritarian leaders, the seemingly unstoppable trend toward Christianity is very disturbing.
- [Martyrs of Sebaste](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/forty-martyres-of-sebaste/) - The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (in modern-day Turkey) were soldiers in the Roman 12th Legion. Their icy deaths was the last famous mass martyrdom of Christians.
- [Metal Detector Find—The Hoxne Hoard](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/metal-detector-find-ancient-roman-christian-treasure/) - The Hoxne Hoard is a metal detector find that had been preserved for 1,600 years.
- [Popular Christian Poems](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/popular-christian-poems/) - "When I say, 'I am a Christian' I’m not shouting, 'I’ve been saved!' I’m whispering, 'I get lost sometimes That’s why I chose this way'"
- [Balaam & The Star of Bethlehem](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/balaam-the-star-of-bethlehem/) - Scientists and scholars have speculated for millennia about the astronomical nature of the Star of Bethlehem.
- [The Silk Road](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/the-silk-road/) - The Silk Road was an ancient trade route that went from China to Eastern Europe. It generated commerce between a number of different kingdoms and empires.
- [Circumcision in the Ancient World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/circumcision-in-the-ancient-world/) - In the Western world, circumcision has long been associated with the Jew Abraham (c. 2000 BC) and the Jewish people.
- [Paul & Barnabas Split Over Mark](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/paul-barnabas-split-over-mark/) - We are told of the heated argument several years later between Paul and Barnabas precipitated by Mark’s exit at the port city of Perga, capital of Pamphylia.
- [Ancient & Modern Idols](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/ancient-modern-idols/) - No matter how skillfully wrought, an idol is still an idol—a projection of the person/culture who fashioned it.
- [Shigir Idol—Oldest Sculpture](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/shigir-idol-oldest-sculpture/) - The Shigir Idol was buried in a peat bog in Russia 11,000 years ago, and there it was perfectly preserved until its discovery in 1894.
- [The Zodiac Man](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/the-zodiac-man/) - The idea behind the Zodiac Man goes back thousands of years to Babylonia where man was considered to be a body that corresponded to the heavenly bodies.
- [Early Christian Communion—Wine or Mingled Wine?](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/early-christian-communion/) - When the earliest Christians participated in the Eucharist, they drank wine mingled with/diluted with water.
- [Astrology & The Early Church Fathers](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/astrology-and-church-fathers/) - Because the premise of astrology is that your Fate in life is determined by your sign in the zodiac, the Early Fathers vehemently repudiated astrology.
- [Ancient Technology—The Antikythera Mechanism ](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/antikythera-mechanism-ancient-technology/) - Archaeologists and scientists can’t figure out this ancient technology. A bronze contraption with many gears and inscriptions—too sophisticated for 200-100 BC.
- [Paul in Ephesus—A Clash of Cultures](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/paul-in-ephesus-a-clash-of-cultures/) - Many people from Ephesus who came to trade goods or visit the Temple of Artemis became converted to Christ and turned away from idol worship.
- [DAILY LIFE](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/) - If you met them today, how would the early Christians differ from us? These articles provide some answers to these questions.
- [MARTYRS](https://earlychurchhistory.org/martyrs/) - These articles describe the martyrdoms of the early Christians in the first centuries of the Christian faith.
- [ARTS](https://earlychurchhistory.org/arts/) - These articles enable the reader to learn about artistic treasures from the ancient Roman and Christian world.
- [BELIEFS](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/) - What exactly did the Early Christians believe? These articles explain the beliefs and doctrine of the primitive Church.
- [POLITICS](https://earlychurchhistory.org/politics/) - These articles examine the emperors, their Empires' disintegration and how the political viewed the nascent Christians.
- [MILITARY](https://earlychurchhistory.org/military/) - Ancient Roman and Christian soldiers served side by side in Rome’s legions. All things having to do with the Roman military are in these articles.
- [FOOD](https://earlychurchhistory.org/food/) - These articles tell of ostentatious banquets, of the foods of the common people and offer recipes the ancient Christians and Romans used.
- [ENTERTAINMENT](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/) - These articles detail the various sorts of “play” the Romans and early Christians had at their disposal.
- [FASHION](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/) - These articles give the reader details of the hairstyles, the clothing, the perfumes and fashion accoutrements of the ancients.
- [COMMUNICATION](https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/) - These articles give examples of ancient letters and other means of communication in the ancient world.
- [MEDICINE](https://earlychurchhistory.org/medicine/) - These articles describe the long quest of mankind from the early days of Rome and of Christianity to diagnose illnesses and to attempt to cure them.
- [CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS](https://earlychurchhistory.org/christian-symbols/) - Because Christianity was a persecuted religion for the first 300 years of its origin, they communicated with each other in complicated symbols. These articles unscramble the meanings hidden in the symbols.
- [COMMERCE](https://earlychurchhistory.org/commerce/) - These articles inform the reader of ancient routes of trading and ancient mechanisms that were made and traded.
- [Ancient Roman Villas](https://earlychurchhistory.org/daily-life/ancient-roman-villas/) - The wealthy homes of the ancient Romans were as sumptuous and comfortable as any could be at that time.
- [Visit of the Magi](https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/visit-of-the-magi/) - The Magi were the first Gentiles to acknowledge and to worship Jesus, but they came to a house, not a manger.
- [Boxing in the Ancient Roman World](https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/boxing-in-ancient-roman-world/) - The first Roman Emperor Augustus loved boxing whether it was an official match with a referee or simply a street brawl.
- [Ancient Perfume](https://earlychurchhistory.org/fashion/ancient-perfume/) - Rome had its perfumeries, but only the wealthy could afford olive oil-based perfumes containing decoctions of expensive plants, roots or secretions.
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