by William L. Benge A COSTLY BUREAUCRACY Pagan Roman religion was, like nearly e

by William L. Benge

A COSTLY BUREAUCRACY

Pagan Roman religion was, like nearly every aspect of anything Roman, an ordered, systematic, state-sponsored bureaucratic institution [and therefore fragile] featuring extremely costly: a) hierarchical priesthood, b) vassal virgins, c) real estate d) expensive garb e) special rites and rituals, traditions, the esoteric/exoteric, national holidays, and d) of course, taxes.

WEALTH TRANSFER

Emperors Constantine thru Justinian, eager to appropriate middle-class resources, convert Messiah-ism into statecraft.

DIFFERENT GARB

A revised Hellenism emerged featuring: a) hierarchical priesthood, b) vassal virgins, c) real estate d) expensive garb e) special rites and rituals, traditions, the esoteric/exoteric, national holidays, and d) of course, taxes.