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Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter I. Downfall of Heathenism and Victory of Christianity in the Roman Empire." In History of the Christian Church. (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Volume 3, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity A.D. 311-600, from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great. pp. 1783-1838. (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library).
"§ 7. The Downfall of Heathenism." (pp. 1833-1837).
Schaff dates the actual end of paganism in the East to the fifth century. Theodosius II commanded the destruction or conversion of temples to churches in 435. Justinian I outlawed the practice and ended its last training outpost in Athens by 529 (Schaff 2014, p. 8134). In the West, it continued more publicly into the 6th century, and privately and sporadically beyond then. Much of it was ended by 6th century migrations of "northern barbarians" who struck down idolatry as they invaded, re-asserting Christianity (Schaff 2014, p. 1834). Though these invaders were mostly Arian, they still emphasized Christ over paganism. Schaff observes, "This is the end of Graeco-Roman heathenism, with its wisdom, and beaty. It fell victim to a slow but steady process of incurable consumption. Its downfall is a sublime tragedy which, with all our abhorrence of idolatry, we cannot witness without a certain sadness" (Schaff 2014, p. 1835).
Paganism, with all its power, wealth, and armaments, had fallen to obsolescence by the hand of the Christians, who were armed with hope and the message of Jesus. Schaff, however, notes that the spirit of paganism did not pass away entirely, as it continues "in the natural heart of man" in need of conversion (Schaff 2014, p. 1836). Idolatry and superstition still exist, even within Christian churches. Schaff acknowledges the great beauty and insight of classical art and literature, which he sees as being something to be turned to the service of Christian truth.