Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Dissertations Graduate College 4-2011 Women of Foreign Superstition: Christianity and Gender in Imperial Roman Policy, 57-235. Karl E. Baughman Western Michigan University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations Part of the Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, History of Christianity Commons, and the History of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Baughman, Karl E., "Women of Foreign Superstition: Christianity and Gender in Imperial Roman Policy, 57-235." (2011). Dissertations. 324. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/324 This Dissertation-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. WOMEN OF FOREIGN SUPERSTITION: CHRISTIANITY AND GENDER IN IMPERIAL ROMAN POLICY, 57-235 by Karl E. Baughman A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of History Advisor: Paul L. Maier, Ph.D. Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan April 2011 WOMEN OF FOREIGN SUPERSTITION: CHRISTIANITY AND GENDER IN IMPERIAL ROMAN POLICY, 57-235 Karl E. Baughman, Ph.D. Western Michigan University, 2011 The relationship between Christianity and the im perial Roman government from 57 to 235 was partially de pendent upon the enforcement of traditional gender roles and the exercise of those roles by women in unique posi tions of influence. Rather than attempt to break free of their defined gender roles, women with distinctive con nections to Christianity and the Roman government were, especially during times of crisis, able to influence im perial policies that provided an atmosphere conducive to positive growth for the early Church.