ABSTRACT
It was not inevitable that Catholic Christianity would survive the disintegration of the western empire or that it would convert the invaders, many of whom had adopted a rival form of Christianity, Arianism. Catholic Christianity has, however, been a highly adaptable religion, successful in different economic, political and social situations. During the three centuries of the Christian Roman Empire, Catholic Christianity had created elaborate theologies, liturgies and traditions of learning, as well as detailed bodies of canon law to manage such practical necessities as election of officers, handling of wealth and settling of disputes. Centralization and uniformity were not the norm, but the large regional groupings of churches shared much and were generally tolerant of one another's differences. Normative Christianity depended for its health on the order and security of Roman society, though the price for that security was a wide measure of control by the emperors, who were its protectors and masters. The collapse of Roman power in the west meant that normative Christianity could no longer depend on the state for support. It was liberated from the heavy hand of the Roman state, though it did not initially hold its own against the forces of diversity. Regional distinctions, which had always been present, flourished and regional varieties of Christianity developed, though normative Christianity remained enshrined in ideals, in law and in church books. It continued to function in the Byzantine Empire, including much of Italy.
