The crisis of the empire , which first became evident in the socio - economic sphere , soon spread to its ideology as well . The religious and philosophical systems that were prevalent among the ruling class became more and more pessimistic . Thus , the views of the Stoics underwent considerable change : When the Roman Empire was in its prime the contention of Stoicism that one must sacrifice one's self in the interests lof society helped strengthen the rule of the slave - owners . Now , with the decline of the Roman Empire , it helped spread an attitude of pessimism and hopelessness . The idealist , mystical philosophy known as the system of Plotinus gained popularity in the 3rd century A.D. According to Plotinus , evil and matter were synonymous . He believed that man's goal was his spiritual merger with an undefined supreme good , imperceptible to the human mind . Literature took on a religious and philosophical colouring , as is apparent in the very popular form of the novel ( for example , The Golden Ass of Apuleius ) . In the 4th and 5th centuries A.D. , during the fall of the Roman Empire , the pagan philosophies which were gradually being replaced by Christianity merged with demonology , black magic and astrology . The triumph of the Christian Church was accompanied by the destruction of many pagan monuments of Antiquity . At the same time , in its desire to gain popular support , Christianity adopted many pagan ways .

Thus , Christmas was made to coincide with the day on which the Sun god , Mitra , was celebrated . In the eastern provinces , where the cult of the goddesses of fertility ( Isida , Astarta , Cybela ) was widespread , the cult of the Madonna developed . Ils subject matter consisted chiefly of eulogies in honour of Literature catered to the tastes of a narrow circle of courtiers . the various emperors . The overall cultural level dropped sharply during this period .

#The later Roman Empire
#ideology #philosophical
#church #Isida #Astarta #literature #4th #5th #Centuries

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