I keep this link handy for the Pliny-Trajan correspondence as it goes directly to the ones in question without having to wade through discussions about court houses in Asia Minor:
http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/jod/texts/pliny.html
There is a difference in translations: Your version uses the term "assemblies" in lieu of "political associations." I would not put my rudimentary Latin against either of the translators even though I know I could find a Latin version of this text if I looked for it!
BTW, the church spreading by recruiting local leaders was actually a tactic learned from Rome itself. Much of the Roman Empire was held together with minimal military force. The provincial governors ( mainly senatorial appointees ) had what amount to police forces and in event of serious trouble had to call on the legions. Almost invariably when the Romans conquered a region there was a rebellion soon after which was crushed. The local leaders - weighing the idea of another rebellion - were given a subtle choice. Maintain your titles and property by becoming "Roman" or risk everything by having your belly ripped open with a sword and your house burned down around your ears. It was an effective means of persuasion.
Similarly, when the empire began to collapse the church concentrated on "converting" various barbarian leaders. The idea being that if the chief became xtian all of his followers would then become xtian also. If they chose not to, it was up to the newly "xtianized" chieftain to kill them for treason which kept the church itself one step removed from the carnage.
http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/jod/texts/pliny.html
Quote:Even this, they affirmed, they had ceased to do after my edict by which, in accordance with your instructions, I had forbidden political associations.
There is a difference in translations: Your version uses the term "assemblies" in lieu of "political associations." I would not put my rudimentary Latin against either of the translators even though I know I could find a Latin version of this text if I looked for it!
BTW, the church spreading by recruiting local leaders was actually a tactic learned from Rome itself. Much of the Roman Empire was held together with minimal military force. The provincial governors ( mainly senatorial appointees ) had what amount to police forces and in event of serious trouble had to call on the legions. Almost invariably when the Romans conquered a region there was a rebellion soon after which was crushed. The local leaders - weighing the idea of another rebellion - were given a subtle choice. Maintain your titles and property by becoming "Roman" or risk everything by having your belly ripped open with a sword and your house burned down around your ears. It was an effective means of persuasion.
Similarly, when the empire began to collapse the church concentrated on "converting" various barbarian leaders. The idea being that if the chief became xtian all of his followers would then become xtian also. If they chose not to, it was up to the newly "xtianized" chieftain to kill them for treason which kept the church itself one step removed from the carnage.
