Mike Aquilina’s latest book, "Rabbles, Riots and Ruins," offers a fresh look at early Christianity in the cities of the Mediterranean during late antiquity. Published by Ignatius Press, this 206-page work explores how the first Christians, primarily city dwellers, interacted with a world still steeped in pagan traditions.
Aquilina, who has written extensively about church history, presents a compelling narrative that highlights the transition of cities like Rome and Constantinople from paganism to Christianity. He emphasizes that many rural areas clung to old gods long after urban centers began to embrace the new faith. For example, even in the early seventh century, Saint Gregory I witnessed Italian peasants making offerings to ancient deities like Ceres and Faunus.
The book also sheds light on the lesser-known story of Armenian Christianity, particularly through the figure of St. Gregory the Illuminator. Aquilina recounts how Gregory, the son of an assassin, returned to Armenia after being raised in the Roman Empire. He faced imprisonment for his beliefs but ultimately converted the king who had once imprisoned him.
While the chapters are concise, often under twenty pages, they cover a range of ancient cities, from the well-known to the obscure. Aquilina’s writing is accessible, though some readers may wish for more depth in certain topics, such as the transformation of Rome itself.
Despite minor inaccuracies, Aquilina’s book is a valuable contribution to the understanding of early Christian history. It’s a work that invites readers to reflect on how Christianity flourished in a world that was often hostile to it, and how its legacy continues to shape cultures today.