Were Christians really thrown to the lions?

Question

Just wondering about this idea. Some people believe this happened because it is such a strong image. I have heard these stories since my days in Sunday School. But is there actual evidence that this happened. I thought about this when I saw that some scholars are not in agreement over this. Don't remember where though. Of course Christians were persecuted in the Roman Empire but is the persecution they suffered exagerrated is more what this question is about. Like some Wiccans exaggerating the issue surrounding what they called the "burning times" when Christians burned those accused of heresy or devil worship. Do religions need to create a persecution myth to give them legitimacy?

Yes or no are not valid answers you need to back it up with something.

It would appear there are no scholars here on Roman or ancient history.

Answer 1

I think it is probably historical, although it may be exaggerated, as you say. And certainly other people besides Christians were put in the lion cage. Anyone the authorities wanted to be rid of, I suspect.

And yes, people were accused of heresy and burned at the stake. But Jews who refused to convert were also burned. Again, it was the frequent fate of someone who displeased the authorities.

People do not need a persecution myth to give legitimacy to their religion. Many religions grew up slowly and with gentle histories, especially those which were favored by the ruling class in the countries where they grew up. The history of religion is not just the history of Europe, you know.

Answer 2

Yes, I could see it happening. I believe the story of Daniel is just that, a story but a good story that holds it's impact and sway has to have believability or some basis in fact. The wealthy were more than likely entertained by struggles between man and beast remember these are the guys who brought you crucifixions. I do agree that persecution myths play a large roll in religious and cultural identity. I am sure the pagans who were burned or tortured did not see much exaggeration in the stories or neither did the children of slaves in the post american slavery years.
When these tales whether they be history or myth cause isolation, separation or hatred they become dangerous. When the passover celebration causes the jews to gain strength and hope from the tribulations of their ancestors it's cool. When the persecuted wants revenge against their persecutors it's just a bad deal all around.
What if every time a lion ate a gazelle all of the other gazelle would band together and attack a lion somewhere just to get even. Don't really think nature takes these things personally

Answer 3

First Jesus didn't exist. Now Christians weren't persecuted, what's next, the holocaust didn't happen? Or maybe we didn't land on the moon. Perhaps there is no such thing as a Christian.

Answer 4

They weren't thrown to lions because of the fact all of them wore togas, hon. This became into Rome's attempt to stamp out something that remotely threatened their means--everyone who refused to renowned Caesar as their lord and grasp. they only made a handy extracurricular murderous recreation of it. reason being they're now not a international means. means video games kill. shop it in concepts next time you vote.

Answer 5

This was the Romans idea of fun. It wasn't just Christians, any prisoner would do.
Blood sport was a huge form of entertainment for the Romans.

Atheist

Answer 6

Don't let them fool you into thinking that being thrown to the lions was strictly a christian fate. Anyone could be made into lion food for breaking the laws of Rome. To them, it was a form of entertainment, much like Gladiator fights and the Olympics.

Answer 7

People who have a separate agenda always say the same thing when something goes against what they spout, like the skin heads and klu klux klan say that there was no holocaust and now the anti Christian people like this. Too bad, it is the truth.

Answer 8

No, its a fact, but it was more like the lions were thrown at the Christians. The lions needed some coercing before mauling them to death. Sometimes the Christians would scream at the lions to get them to attack. You can imagine the horror of it.

Answer 9

The scholars that don't believe these things happened were not there during the reign of NERO. Those historians that were there and documented these decades say it did happen.

grace2u

Answer 10

The Romans were the ones who crucified Jesus just because the Jews told them to do so. Why wouldn't they feed his followers to the lions in the colluseum?