The Spirit of Early Christian Thought

It is hard to imagine it now but for the first few hundred years of Christianity being a Christian was no blessing. Masters of assimilation, the Romans had no problem with other cultures worshipping other gods, as a matter of fact they encouraged it. The Roman push to duplicate and expand into other cities across the Italian peninsula, Europe, and the known world, came in the few centuries preceding Christ. Masters of manipulating water, sophisticated at road and infrastructure construction, organized administrators, and efficient systems of law and government allowed for rapid expansion, and thus increased power and influence.

Conflict arose between the early Christians and their pagan neighbors because of refusal on the part of the Christians to worship Roman Gods. One can just picture the dilemma: On one hand you’re part of a society that is largely pagan and has been since its initiation in the 8th century B.C., on the other you’re part of a new religion that forbids the worshipping of any god but yours, but not worshipping the Roman Gods could get you killed, and in pretty gruesome fashion at that. Just a few of the early martyrs include St. Lawrence (grilled alive), St. Bartholomew (flayed alive) St. Lucy (eyes cut out) St. Elmo (intestines torn out) St. Blaise (torn apart by wool combs) St. Stephen (stoned) not to mention St. Peter and a whole host of others who suffered crucifixion. It is a little known fact that crucified victims could often hang on their crosses for up to two or three days eventually succumbing to asphyxiation. (To speed the process up the Romans would often break the legs of their victims and/or stab them in the side.) On the other hand you’re part of a new religion in which your God values humility as opposed to pride; forgiveness as opposed to power; and mercy as opposed to greatness in the traditional sense. Your modest churches accurately reflect the difference between you and your pagan neighbors as well: all of the wealth is on the inside, the beauty is beneath the surface. By contrast pagan temples which were for priests only, were poorly lit, and who’s wealth was in the form of guilt gold, porphyry columns, precious marbles, etc was displayed externally.

All of this lead to conflict between the early Christians and the pagans erupting in all out persecutions at certain points in the Roman Empire’s history. Most notably under the emperors Nero (AD 37-68), Marcus Aurelius (AD121-180), Valerian (253-260), Diocletian (AD 284-305) and all of which had fatal consequences to the Christians. Constantine’s signing of the Edict of Milan in AD 313 legalized all religions, but still persecutions persisted. It wasn’t until the year AD 395 when Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the empire from the empire’s then-capital of Constantinople (having been moved by Constantine from its previous base in Rome) at which point persecutions all but ceased.

The irony of their decision is biblical (no pun intended). Peter and Paul could have gone to any city in the empire to initiate this new religion and yet they chose Rome. Jerusalem, Alexandria, Londinium (London), Antioch, Carthage, Athens, and Tripoli were all suitable substitutes and yet they eventually chose the city called “Eternal.” Peter arriving first, Paul following four years later, both put to death after the Neronian persecution of AD 65-68.

Living History with Jason Pittelli

An Introduction to Jason Pittelli's love4adventure™

Jason Pittelli is the CEO (Chief Explorations Officer of love4adventure™.  It is his passion for adventure that inspires the engaging, though-provoking travel experiences he provides to his guests.  He brings the history of the Eternal City alive in his daily tours for day travelers in Rome.  In his entertaining and highly interactive style he weaves together stories about people and myths from the past and relates them to modern day life.  His guests leave with a better understanding of the people and events that shape the city of Rome today and a tangible connection to the past.  

For the traveler with a thirst for more than just a history lesson, love4adventure™'s tours are an indispensable component to any European holiday.  Jason and his friendly guides engage their guests in a way that draws on their own experiences to better understand the word around them.  They have an enthusiastic, personable and easy-to-follow approach which makes a potentially daunting visit to the Vatican Museum or Sistine Chapel accessible, interesting and fun.

Jason's passion for travel began when he was only 12 years old.  Vacationing with his family in Cuba gave him his first taste of a world outside his own.  Always a keen observer of details, he was impressed by the contrast of such beauty existing amongst such chaos.  He was intrigued by the diversity of the people and their stories and it was in that moment that the explorer in him was born.

One of Jason's most memorable travel experiences came during his first visit to Rome.  A fellow tour guide took him to see the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano where the story of the Scala Santa captured his imagination.  Legend has it that these scala, or stairs, were brought to Rome from ancient Jerusalem and that Christ walked upon them on his way to being condemned by Pontius Pilot.  Humbled by the history surrounding him, Jason decided to learn more.  Many years later, his fascination with the Ancient City remains just as strong, inspiring his daily tours of Rome's treasures.

With over eight years of experience as a professional tour guide, Jason has visited 40 countries on 6 continents and traveled over 60,000 miles (100,000 km).  He has been river rafting and caving in Laos, explored the Amazonian rain forest of Bolivia, and braved the freezing waters of South Africa to swim amongst the great white sharks.  His passion for adventure knows no bounds.  It is this endless desire for new and exciting experiences, as well as his natural ability to teach, inspire, and entertain, that make love4adventure™ more than just a tour company. 

Above all, love4adventure™ is built on Jason's vision of helping others learn more about themselves and the world through travel.