Religion in Late Roman Britain - 9780415118552

Taylor & Francis

Religion in Late Roman Britain explores the changes in religion over the fourth century; the historical background for these changes and the forces which contributed to them.\nDorothy Watts examines the reasons for the decline of Christianity and the continuation of the pagan, Celtic cults in Britain. The author establishes a chronology for the rise and decline of Christianity, based on the available archaeological evidence, and she charts the fate of the pagan cults and temples in the fourth century. The author discusses the nature of Romano-British pagan religion and she analyses the controversial rite of decapitated burial in the light of some startling new archaeological evidence.\n > List of Figures, Preface, 1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AD 294-360: The Empire: Diocletian, Constantine and his House, Britain: Paganism and the Rise of Christianity, 2. THE PAGAN REVIVAL OF THE LATE FOURTH CENTURY AD 360-90: The Paganism of Julian, Paganism under Julian's Successors, Paganism at Rl