Gnostics

3 Pages 704 Words

Though Rome was unbending in its demand of obeisance to the state, it tolerated a remarkably free expression of religious thought. Within its borders could be found groups adhering to ideas of Eastern Buddhism, Persian Zoroastrianism, the Egyptian Hermetic tradition, Jewish monotheism, the sun worship of Mithras, and Greek Platonic thought. Gnosticism was one of these religions. It had its own sacred scriptures and ideas but it also freely borrowed from other traditions, developing a richly endowed theology. Alexandria was the main center of learning in the empire, its library the most famous of antiquity. In this great city at the mouth of the Nile congregated groups of varied culture and creed.
Yet despite the outward signs of political peace and unity there was raging within the Roman soul a moral war. The accumulation of vast riches in the upper strata of society, excessive and cruel taxation of the peasants, widespread slavery, and disrespect for human life had risen to such a height that the inner decay they spread was destroying the heart of the nation.
For this reason numerous groups were seeking to counter the prevailing decadence with a return to a higher morality. Throughout the empire, in the deserts or forests of the land, small societies of spiritual seekers began to gather. Often they led ascetic lives, determined to address the dissolution they saw in mainstream culture. In cities like Alexandria were born schools of philosophy, and great moral teachers sought to instil their students with higher ideals.
The Christian groups in time became one of the loudest voices against the evils of the empire. They taught simplicity and communal sharing. Decrying the lot of the poor and oppressed, they denounced slavery and the brutality of the Roman gladiatorial games which slaughtered the underprivileged by the thousands. Many of the disaffected joined their ranks.
Rome had always speedily silenced such popular protest, either ...