2, We have already said that under the Roman em- perors of the 2d and 8d centuries the Jews were in a somewhat flourishing condition. Quite diiferent became their fate in the 4th century, when the emperor of Rome knelt before the cross, and the emjiire became a Chris- tian state. Not only were converts from Judaism pro- tected from the resentment of their countrymen, but Christians were prohibited from becoming Jews. The equality of rights to which the pagan emperors had admitted them was by degrees restricted. In short, from the establishment of Christianity in the Roman empire dates the great period of humiliation of the Jews; hereafter they change to a condemned and perse- cuted sect. But if the ascendency of Christianity be- came baneful to the Jews, it does by no means follow that Cliristianity is to bear the blame. Nay, the Jews of that age and country are altogether responsible for their sufferings. They appeared as the persecutors of the new religion whenever the opportunity presented itself. Thus they allied themselves to Arians during the revolution of 353 in destroying the property and lives of the Catholics. See Alexandkia. Yet. though
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decried " as the vnost hateful of all people," they con- tinued to till, after this period, important civil and mil- itary situations, had especial courts of justice, and exer- cisecl the influence which springs from the possession of wealth and knowledge. Under the rule of Julian the Apostate everything changed again iu their favor. The heathen worshipper felt that the Jew, as the opponent of the Christian, was liis natural ally ; and, fresh from oppression and tyranny wliich a Christian government had heaped upon them, the Jews hesitated not to un- sheath the sword in union with the Apostate's legions. A gleam of splendor seemed to shine on their future destiny ; and when Julian (q. v.) determined " to belie, if possible, the fulfilment of the prophecies," and gave them permission to rebuild their Temple at Jerusalem, the transport which they manifested, it is said, is one of the most sublime spectacles in their history. (Camp., as to the views of Christian writers on the miracle said to have been wrought here, preventing tlie Jews from the rebuilding of the Temple, especially, Etheridge, In- i7-od. to Hebrew Lit. p. 134 sq.) The attempt, as is well known, was signally defeated. The emperor suddenly died, and from that event the policy adopted by the Koman government towards the Jews was more or less depressive, though never severe. " In short, down to the time that terminated the Western patriarchate (A. D. 415), the conduct of the emperors towards the Jews appears to have been marked by an iullexil)le determi- nation to keep them in order, tempered by a wise and worthy moderation." Thus, in the code of Theodosius II, their patriarclis and officers of the synagogue are honorabl}' mentioned as " Viri spectutissimi, illustres, cla- rissimi." They enjoyed absolute liberty and protec- tion in tha observance of their ceremonies, their feasts, and their sabbaths. " Their synagogues were protected by law against the fanatics, who, in some parts of Asia antl Italy, attacked and set them on fire. Throughout the empire the property of the Jews, their slaves, and their lands were secured to them. Yet the Christians were exhorted to hold no intercourse with the unbeliev- ing people, and to beware of the doctrines of the syna- gogue. The laws, however, could not prevent the zeal of several bishops from stirring up the hatred of the populace against the Jews. Even Ambrose imputed as a crime to some Asiatic bishops and monks the effort to rebuild, at their own expense, a synagogue which they had demolished." Nor ought we to omit here the dis- reputable acts of another great father of the Christian Church, Cj'ril (q. v.), who, in A.D. 41.5, during the reign of Theodosius II, caused the expulsion of all Jews from the bishopric of Alexandria.
3. The condition of this people became even worse after the division of the Roman world (A.D. 395) into the Eastern and Western empires, especially in the East, under Justin I (A.D. 518-27), where they were deprived of their citizenship, which they had hitherto enjoyed, and were classed with heretics. Justinian (A. D. 527-65) went still furtlier. He not only confirmed former enactments, but made others stiU more onerous, intended, no doubt, to drive the Jews into the Church. " The emperor, laying it down as a principle that civil rights could only belong to those who professed the or- thodox faith, entirely excluded the Jews in his code (codex) and his edicts (novelise). Anything which could in the least interfere with the festivals of the Christian Church was strictly forbidden them; all dis- cussion with Christians was looked upon as a crime, and all proselytism punished with death. Even their right of holding property was restricted in many ways, espe- cially in the matter of wills. The emperor declared himself with especial severity against the traditions and precepts of the Talmud." Such oppression naturally enough provoked the Jews to repeated rebellion, only to be subjected, after complete failure to regain their freedom, to increased bitterness of their cup of degrada- tion [see Justinian], until, deprived of the last de- gree of poUtical importance, many of their number