The Christianisation of the Mediterranean Tarraconense during the Roman period (from the first century AD to 409)

Abstract

By the second half of the third century, Christianity had taken root in the coastal cities of the eastern Tarraconense, especially among common folk, as shown by the Passio Fructuosi and the archaeological finds in Tarraco, Barcino and Gerunda. By the fourth century, Christianity had also reached the potentiores, and bishops like Himerius of Tarragona and Pacianus of Barcelona, who had strong culture and theological education, managed to christianise the social customs and transform the topography of cities. The Church’s actions sought to restore order in the wake of the theological dissentions (Arianism and Priscillianism). Monasticism had reached Hispania by the second half of the fourth century.