JbAC 63 (2020) Seiten: 118-138

Migrants imported Christianity to Rome in the first century AD and migration shaped Roman Christianity ever since. Settling at the capital, migrants were often also ambassadors of new doctrines or introduced new liturgical forms from elsewhere in the empire. While some novel elements were successfully integrated into the already existing local tradition(s), others presented profound challenges. In this respect, the end of the second and beginning of the third century was a particularly vibrant period. Several significant clashes between newly arrived and the »well-established« are recorded. These conflicts offer genuine though biased accounts of migration of Christians to Rome and the challenges and opportunities this presented to the young but growing Christian community in the city. Based on four case studies, this contribution seeks to chart migration, profile Christian migrants, outline (typical) patterns of movement and re-examine the conflict potential of such movements.