The Conversion of Western Europe, AD 312-87 is a scholarly book written by J.F.C. Harrison, an historian and expert on the early history of Christianity and the Roman Empire. The book was first published in 1948 and provides a detailed examination of the process of the conversion of Western Europe to Christianity in the 4th and 5th century AD.
In this book, Harrison examines the social, political, and religious factors that contributed to the spread of Christianity in Western Europe. He argues that the conversion of Western Europe to Christianity was not simply a result of the triumph of the Christian Church over paganism, but rather a complex process that was shaped by a variety of factors.
He examines the ways in which Christianity adapted to and borrowed from the existing pagan religious practices and beliefs, and how it was able to attract converts from both pagans and Jews. He also examines the role of the state and the Church in the suppression of paganism and the ways in which Christianity was able to establish itself as the dominant religion in the Western World.
The book also covers the impact of Christianity on the social and economic life of Western Europe, such as the decline of traditional forms of religion, the emergence of a new class of wealthy, educated and influential people and the decline of the Roman Empire.
The Conversion of Western Europe, AD 312-87 is a well-researched and thought-provoking book that provides valuable insights into the origins of Christianity and its spread in Western Europe. It is intended for scholars, students, and researchers in the field of religious studies, history, and ancient history and provides a unique perspective on the early history of Christianity in Western Europe.